Students from an elementary school in Jiangsu province present drawings to rectors. Zheng Xin / China Daily

The Scottish government is introducing an education policy called "Modern Languages 1 + 2" that will teach students a foreign language at the age of 5. It would then teach them a second one from the age of 9. The plan will go into effect by 2020.

"We will almost certainly teach French as a second language from the age of 5, but we are looking at the feasibility of introducing Mandarin," Thomson says."It is important that our young people develop an understanding of China, similar to that which they might have of Europe and the United States, and take that understanding with them as they move to higher and further education and the world of work."

Barry Morrell, assistant head teacher of Kenton School in Newcastle, which has been offering Chinese language classes for two years, shared Thomson's sentiment.

"We want to prepare students for life in a global world," Morrell says. "We believe that for some students the ability to talk Mandarin will open doors for them in the future, and China is a very ancient and interesting culture and the country is growing and will become a feature of all our lives in the future."

According to Kenton educators, among all foreign languages offered, including Spanish, French, German and Mandarin, students find the Chinese language a very difficult language to learn, more so than European languages.

Morrell says that "in addition to a local native Chinese person who speaks excellent Mandarin and English", the school also utilizes staff members from the Confucius Classroom to deliver after-school lessons in Mandarin and tai chi.

"We will be looking seriously at our options in relation to exchanges with the primary schools in China who we have partnerships with."

Thomson at Jordanhill says there is an acute shortage of qualified Mandarin teachers in Scotland, one of many hurdles that has prevented the school from coming up with a Mandarin class.