Chinese is offered both as a mother tongue programme (Language A) and as a language acquisition programme (Language B) from senior kindergarten to Grade 12. The pre-kindergarten and junior kindergarten Chinese course is Immersion Learning courses.
The Chinese mother tongue programme uses local school textbooks from G1 to G8, and focuses on improving four skills though expanding vocabulary and structures, improving reading and writing skills to the native-speaker level. The G6 to G10 mother tongue programme also follows the MYP Language and Literature curriculum to prepare students for their DP Chinese learning. In the diploma programme, Language A students follow the Chinese Language and Literature course.
For language B students, placement is based on evaluation and age. Chinese language is offered at three levels in primary school and Middle/High school: Beginner level, Intermediate level and Upper level.
Classes are small, interactive – and fun. In early grades, the focus is on learning basic words and simple sentences, and connecting sounds to characters.
Instructors use stories, songs, and games to teach listening, speaking and reading skills, and for the olderchildren, to read Chinese stories and write short paragraphs about different topics.
Instructors may read a story or an essay and ask the students to retell it or express their own opinions in short paragraphs.
Understanding Chinese at Every Level
In the Beginner level and Intermediate level, emphasis is given to words and phrases used in daily life, such as colour, food and family.
The main focus of this program is on listening, speaking and recognizing basic Chinese characters, reading and writing simple sentences based on basic and important grammars, and developing awareness and understanding of Chinese culture.
Through a focus on poems, fables, stories, and literature, Upper (or Native) level Chinese classes earn their comprehensive Chinese language skills. Students will also take a deep and broad scope of China and Chinese by studying Chinese literature and culture.
In our diploma classes, students have the option of taking Chinese Language B Higher level, Standard level and Ab initio (from the beginning).