Chinese A-level has overtaken(超过) German for the first time, as it becomes the UK’s third most popular language.

This year 3,334 students take Chinese A-level, compared to 3,058 taking German. While entries(参加总人数) for Chinese have increased by 8. 6 percent since last year, German entries have reduced by 16. 5 percent. French remains the most popular modem language followed by Spanish, but both have seen a fall 1 in entries compared to last year by eight and four percent respectively.

Barnaby Lenon, chair of the Independent Schools Council(ISC), said that although pupils used to be told “It will really help your career if you learn German”, this is no longer the case.

“In the 1960s, 70s and even the 80s, pupils were strongly encouraged to study German because of the importance of the German economy. Although it is still strong, that argument has faded, and China has appeared in the last 25 years as the fastest growing economy in the world. ”

Mr Lenon, former headmaster of Harrow School, said the rise in Chinese A-level entries is partly driven by private schools, many of which have invested in the subject in recent years. “It is not the case that a large number of state schools are now teaching Chinese A-level. They are not,” he said. Many of the entries will be Chinese native speakers and he added that independent schools have attracted “large numbers” of Chinese pupils in recent years.

Mark Herbert, director of schools and skills at the British Council, welcomed the rise in Chinese A-level entries. He said, “Our research shows that Mandarin will be one of the most important languages for the UK’s future and global standing - but we mustn’t neglect Spanish, French and German which will still be vital for post-Brexit(脱欧). ”

Nick Gibb, the schools minister, said, “An outward-looking global nation needs a new generation of young people comfortable with the language and culture of our overseas trading partners. ”

The Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) released a report on Australian students’ sense of belonging in school in May. It described as “disturbing” some of the differences in Australian students’ sense of belonging between male and female students, students from high and low economic backgrounds, and students from different cultural backgrounds.

A sense of belonging in school is the degree to which students feel respected, accepted and supported by teachers and peers. It has been linked to students' attention and effort in class, their persistence and completion of learning activities. An understanding of belonging is important for educators. It allows them to plan effective practices to support students in the classroom and school-wide.

A study from the US found students' sense of belonging declines from year 7 through to year 11. With it, students' educational expectations also decrease. This decline may be due to a mismatch between students’ need for autonomy (自主) and interaction，and their learning environment. They may experience less supportive and caring teacher — student relationships，increased teacher control, and limited opportunities for autonomy. A similar study in Finland also found this might be because secondary students need to adapt to a larger social network and a larger number of teachers, so they may not know their peers or teachers as well.

Importantly, some groups of students may feel lower levels of belonging. This includes students with different cultural or language backgrounds, students with disabilities or students awkward in social interaction.

Teachers and schools play an important role in nurturing students’ sense of belonging. If a student considers their school and teacher to be caring and accepting，they’re more likely to adopt the academic and social values of their school and teacher. Teachers and schools can take steps to improve students' sense of belonging in school, which is important for all students and especially                                                     those identified as being at-risk.

Why people collect art

Many people throughout history have gone to great lengths to collect art. But what motivates these collectors?

One popular explanation for collecting is that they can have financial gain. Some resell works.   earning enormous profit. 【小题1】 Immorally, some “collectors” buy art as a form of money laundering (洗钱), since it is far easier to move art than cash between countries without examination.

【小题2】 For them, art is important for other reasons. The best way to understand the underlying drive of art collecting is as a means to create and strengthen social bonds, and as a way for collectors to communicate within these new networks.

Collectors are not only interested in creating social links; they are also motivated by the messages they can send once these social networks are created. We all know art is a powerful way for the artist to express thoughts and feelings. 【小题3】 Displaying art can send a message about who the collector really is— at least who he or she sees himself or herself as.

【小题4】 Through the collections, collectors convey messages not just about themselves, but about the world as a whole. For example, the kid with the shoebox of bird feathers might show others his or her collection not just to make friends, but also to convince them of the importance of protecting endangered species.

People collect art for various reasons. 【小题5】