Mandarin milestone as Ireland rolls out road map

Mandarin will be introduced as a subject in Ireland's Leaving Certificate exam, which is the final test of the Irish secondary school system.

The subject is already taught as an optional 100-hour short course at secondary level, but only for the first three years, which is known as the junior cycle.

Schools will start teaching Mandarin as part of the senior cycle, which comprises the final two years of secondary school and involves students aged 17 and 18.