Pupils at the Enniskillen Integrated Primary School have been busy getting to grips with a new skill with the visit of Miss Liu Shuqing (known as Emily) to their school.

Mis Shuqing visits the school to take Mandarin lessons, something which both the pupils and the staff are enjoying.

The teacher glided around the room with a number of puppets sounding out Nǐ hǎo or hello in Mandarin.

Enniskillen Integrated Primary School is one of a number of school’s participating in the programme offered by South West College.

The South West College Confucius Hub has been delivering Mandarin Chinese Language & Culture classes to Primary and Post Primary Schools in Fermanagh, Tyrone, Armagh & Down since 2012/13. The children took great delight in working on their pronunciation skills using a variety of exercises to work on perfecting the ‘hǎo’ sound.

There are eleven tutors working across the area covered by the college including five Mandarin tutors in the Enniskillen area.

Mrs. Emma Lynn, P5 teacher and Literacy Co-Ordinator said: "We started the classes two weeks ago for P3, P4, P5 and P7. Year 6 are busy hosting some ERGS A-Level Language students for French, Spanish and German!

"Ms Liu Shuqing (Emily) is our teacher and has been linked to our school by the South West College and we host Emily once a week.

"Classes for the younger children normally last for 10-15 minutes with more focus on the culture and a small element of the language.

"Classes for Y5 and Y7 are for 30 minutes with more language but still retaining that cultural element. 

"The children, and teachers, are really embracing their weekly Mandarin lessons. Although learning a new language is great for children and seeks to broaden their horizons on a global platform, its not all about enrichment through linguistics.

"We are all gaining a deeper cultural awareness about Ms Shuqing's home through her stories and by sharing questions, and of course, Ms Shuqing is learning plenty about navigating Fermanagh and our way of life the children and staff too!"