Students get a taste for the orient with Chinese classes

East Cork is getting a flavour of the Far East as students are becoming proficient in Chinese.

Midleton College is one of dozens of schools introducing teenagers to the language of a country expected to increase its importance in Irish and global growth.

Although plans to make Chinese a Leaving Certificate subject are only in their infancy, work is beginning on an optional short course to be part of the overhauled Junior Certificate for students starting second-level education in 2014.