Mandarin Program

Providing early exposure to a third language, students in JK and SK will be engaging Mandarin through an emphasis on exploring Chinese culture. They learn simple greetings and requests, and are introduced to the phonetic system to build up the basic vocabulary. Mandarin classes in JK and SK include reading stories, singing, dancing, and other hands-on activities. 

As beginners to Mandarin, our Grade 1 students are introduced to the Pin-Yin system orally and through writing in their early lessons. Students will also learn basic vocabulary and to write simple characters. As well as being introduced to the phonetic system, children get to grips with self introductions, greetings, family, ages, senses, numbers, directions, and animals. Foundational Mandarin at this age provides students with a springboard for further study, and adds another string to their multilingual bow here at The Giles School. 

Mandarin for Grade 2 teaches young language learners how to use the phonetic alphabet to read Chinese characters fluently and equips them with basic vocabulary, phrases, and sentences. Building upon the foundational knowledge of Mandarin gained previously, children at this stage learn how to tell time, master introductory conversations, and explore family, positions, nature, hobbies, and animals. Sessions are fun and interactive with songs, poems, origami, Chinese television programs, and games all being a part of everyday learning. 

Grade 3 students develop their oral communication, written and reading skills across a variety of themes. Topics of study include sports, hobbies, community, food and drink, shopping, and the home environment. Learners will grasp how to form sentences, specifically directional questions that will aid their self expression and information finding abilities in Mandarin. They will become adept at translating from English to Mandarin and vice versa. 

As the third language program taught at our school, the Mandarin course provides students with the opportunity to learn the delightful Chinese language and its culture. Grade 4 students continue building their knowledge of the language acquired in the previous years, and conduct and understand daily conversations in Mandarin. Topics such as family, food, nationalities and shopping are explored and help learners further develop their oral communication, reading and writing skills. Students also gain knowledge and vocabulary based on in-class conversation and study Chinese short poems and literature.

In Grade 5 & 6 with advanced Chinese study appropriate for learners at this level, students listen and respond to short, structured texts in Mandarin and express ideas and opinions. Their language skills at this stage mean that they can convey their thoughts and feelings in written form, as well as read and understand small Mandarin texts. Students learn to understand, vocalize, and express themselves on concepts such as nature,  animals, time, dates, professions, the human body, and also find joy through the exploration of authentic poetry. 

Our Mandarin program for Grades 7 & 8 supports further advancement in oral communications, reading, and writing short stories. A range of stories with varying subjects are introduced for story learning activities, promoting discussions, the expression of feelings and opinions, as well as to help students identify and understand more complex language conventions.