SA school set to teach in Mandarin

Some Adelaide school students could soon have half their lessons taught in Chinese.

The South Australian government is inviting metropolitan schools to apply to become the first state-owned bilingual school.

From 2017, year-three students at the school will be taught half their lessons in Mandarin.

Lower primary and junior high students will also have Mandarin lessons to prepare them for the program, which will eventually encompass years three to 10.

Students not included in the program will be offered Mandarin language classes.

"There are many advantages to becoming bilingual, which extend beyond cultural benefits and towards achieving cognitive, social and linguistic gains," Education and Child Development Minister Susan Close said.