2. Mandarin is the official language of China - also known as pŭtōnghuà. Many regional dialects - Mandarin & Cantonese most widely spoken. Large Chinese populations worldwide - including Singapore, Taiwan and Malaysia. Chinese is the most widely spoken language across the world. What is Chinese?

3. Regional Dialects

4. So what is the difference between Mandarin & Cantonese? Mandarin and Cantonese are tonal languages - 5 in Mandarin, 7-9 in Cantonese. Tone used with any given word can change its meaning. Written form can differ, but does not change meaning. Traditional Simplified

5. Chinese Festivals Chinese New Year (Spring Festival) – Jan / Feb. (1st – 15th days of the first lunar month). Ching Ming – April - paying respect to ancestors (15th day from Spring Equinox). Mid Autumn Festival – September - Celebrating the Moon (15 th day of 8 th month). Lanterns made and Moon Cakes eaten. Chung Yeung – October - paying respect to ancestors (9 th day of 9 th month). [Actual date of festivals varies as Chinese use lunar calendar.]

6. Did you know the Chinese have their own calendar? Did you know they have different birthday dates? You are already one year old when you are born!

7. Happy Chinese New Year! Celebrating the Year of the Tiger – Kung Hei Fat Choi – Gong Xi Fa Cai The Chinese New Year is the longest and most important celebration in the Chinese calendar. The Chinese year 4708 begins on February 14 th, 2010 and lasts for 15 days

8. What animal sign are you? Rat 1936194819601972198419962008 Ox 1937194919611973198519972009 Tiger 1938195019621974198619982010 Rabbit 193919511963197519871999 Dragon194019521964197619882000 Snake 194119531965197719892001 Horse194219541966197819902002 Sheep194319551967197919912003 Monkey194419561968198019922004 Rooster194519571969198119932005 Dog 194619581970198219942006 Boar 194719591971198319952007

9. What does your animal sign mean? Ox Bright, patient and inspiring to others. You can be happy by yourself yet make an outstanding parent. Marry a Snake or Rooster. The Sheep will bring trouble. Tiger You are aggressive, courageous, candid and sensitive. Look to the Horse and Dog for happiness. Beware of the Monkey.

10. What does your animal sign mean? Rabbit Luckiest of all signs, talented and articulate. Affectionate, yet shy, you seek peace throughout your life. Marry a Sheep or Boar. Your opposite is the Rooster. Dragon Your are eccentric and your life complex. You have a very passionate nature and abundant health. Marry a Monkey or Rat late in life. Avoid the Dog.

11. Snake Wise and intense with a tendency towards physical beauty. Vain and high tempered. Boars are your enemies. Roosters or Oxen are your best sign. Horse Popular and attractive to the opposite sex. You are often ostentatious and impatient. You need people. Marry a Tiger or a Dog early, but never a Rat. What does your animal sign mean?

12. Sheep Elegant and creative, you are timid and prefer anonymity. You are most compatible with Boars and Rabbits, but never the Oxen. Monkey You are very intelligent and are able to influence people. An enthusiastic achiever, but is easily discouraged and confused. Avoid Tigers. Seek a Dragon or Rat. What does your animal sign mean?

13. Rooster A pioneer in spirit, you are devoted to quest after knowledge. You are self-centred and eccentric. Rabbits are trouble. Snakes and Oxen are fine. Dog Loyal and honest. You work well with others. Generous yet stubborn and often selfish. Look to the Horses or Tigers. Watch out for Dragons What does your animal sign mean?

14. Boar Noble and chivalrous. Your friends will be lifelong, yet you are prone to marital strife. Avoid other Boars. Marry a Rabbit or a Sheep. Rat You are ambitious yet honest. Prone to spend freely. Seldom make lasting friendships. Most compatible with Dragons and Monkeys. Least with Horses. What does your animal sign mean?

15. A time for house cleaning Decorations to put up Time for prayers Before the New Year

16. Try not to break anything as it as deemed bad luck. Firecrackers are lit to ward off evil spirits. Display bowls of fruit. The most important element is that families gather together for a meal on New Years Eve. Many people return home to join in this celebration. New Years Eve

17. Wear new clothes Vegetarian meal Red packets Greet everybody with Kung Hei Fat Choi / Gong Xi Fa Cai New Years Day The 1st Day of Chinese New Year is an exciting day to be spent with family

18. The Food at New Year Dumplings are eaten in Northern China. Turnip cake & New Year cake tend to be eaten in southern China. Did you know that traditionally Chinese like round tables?

19. Chinese Food and its meaning Whole chicken - prosperity & family togetherness Noodles - long life Spring Rolls - wealth Peanuts - long life Fish - wishes & abundance Tangerines / oranges - luck & wealth Sweet sticky rice cake, nian gao - rich sweet life, while the different layers symbolize rising abundance for the coming year and round shape signifies family reunion.

20. Chinese New Year celebration in London Taken from http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/7863747.stm

21. Contact us The Chinese Centre Hesters Way Community Resource Centre Cassin Drive Princess Elizabeth Way Cheltenham GL51 7SU Phone: 01452-531369 Mobile: 07720-637976 / 07766-310551 Email: mandarin.school@hotmail.co.uk Website: www.glos-mandarinschool.org.uk