Philosophy 

Communication is at the heart of the human experience.  As members of an international school community, we believe the learning of languages is vital to an independent, global society.  The learning of languages will encourage students' respect and understanding of other cultures from a Biblical perspective and increase their willingness to communicate God’s love to the world.  Through a practical, interactive approach, students have the opportunity to develop the four communication skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing,) which will enable them to interact effectively in the global community.  The study of Chinese language enhances higher order thinking, motivates students to think independently and enriches students’ knowledge of the political, economical and social life in China.  It cultivates intellectual abilities, skills, and attitudes, which promote effective participation in a changing world. 

Our Chinese Language Program

ICS offers two streams in the Chinese Language Program to accommodate students with different Chinese language backgrounds- the Chinese Literacy Stream and the Foreign Language Stream.  Putonghua is the medium of instruction in Chinese language courses and students are taught simplified characters. 

1. Chinese Literacy Stream (CL)

The CL stream aims to provide a Chinese language course for students with a Chinese language background, especially students who can speak fluent or near-fluent Cantonese / Putonghua or other Chinese dialects.

Teaching Approach for CL

Materials designed for learners of Chinese as a first/second language are be used. Materials from Hong Kong, mainland China, Taiwan and Singapore are also adopted and integrated in designing the curriculum.  At present, a series of materials from Singapore is supplemented by a great deal of materials researched and designed by ICS Chinese teachers.

• Elementary content focuses on building up pinyin, vocabulary, grammar, and basic character writing skills foundations. Textbooks are written in passages rather than in a dialogue format.
• Folktales are used in the elementary curriculum to help students identify with and appreciate the Chinese culture and Chinese philosophy. 
• Authentic texts are adopted at the secondary level to guide students in critical and analytical thinking in Chinese.
• Teachers guide students to appreciate various literary works and excerpts from different famous Chinese writers in order to widen their vocabulary and knowledge and acquire a foundation in various writing styles. This also serves to develop students’ cultural literacy.
• Students are encouraged to actively involve themselves in the learning process through classroom participation, group discussion and doing projects on various topics.
• Students are required and guided to do outside classroom reading and develop self-learning skills.

Learning Objectives of CL for Elementary Students

We aim at helping students develop and strengthen their oral fluency, communication and presentation skills through mastering pinyin skills and regular classroom practice.  Students will be able to write Chinese characters in correct stroke order with appropriate character formation with proper body posture.  Students at this stage will be given the opportunity to acquire solid basic grammar knowledge, be taught to write correct sentences and short passages.  Creative writing is the ultimate writing objective for students at this stage.  Students are encouraged to build up good reading habits and interest outside classroom.

Learning Objectives of CL for Secondary Students

Students will continue developing their literacy skills through our emphasis on reading, writing, and the appreciation of literature.  In the higher level courses, students will learn to write in different styles, such as descriptive, narrative, and argumentative.  We also will assist students to establish good reading habits and interests in order to continue expanding vocabulary base.  Teachers will promote students’ self-learning skills in Chinese.  Students who have come through the MS program will normally be able to reach Adv Chin 1 (Please refer to the progression chart) by Grades 9 and 10.  At this point their proficiency level should be equivalent to the Intermediate level of Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi (a National Chinese Language Proficiency Test), and these students would be eligible to apply for admission to universities in Mainland China. 

2. Foreign Language Stream (FL)

This stream aims at providing a Chinese language course for students without a Chinese language background and /or with little or no Chinese language training.  The FL stream is also appropriate for students with a Chinese background (i.e. culture, ethnicity) but who speak little or no Cantonese or Putonghua.  Students with Cantonese or Putonghua language backgrounds may also consider this stream, depending on the parents’ preference and students’ learning objectives. 

Teaching Approach for FL

Materials used by learners of Chinese as a foreign language have been selected.  Textbooks and materials from Mainland China, Australia and the U.S. are used for this stream. 

• Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language approach at all levels.
• Communicative activities (authentic situations) are integrated into lessons in order to help students acquire the language.
• Students focus on oral and aural elements by extensive guided oral practice, watching informative videos, television programs and group projects.
• Reading and writing skills are developed after students have established a foundation in oral communication. Examples of reading practices are reading authentic menus at restaurants, prices of goods at supermarkets, and signs in store fronts.  Examples of writing practices are writing personal letters, taking phone messages and creating invitations.
• Teachers assist students in understanding Chinese culture through introducing Chinese traditional festivals, leading students to go on field trips in Mainland China etc.

Learning Objectives of FL for Elementary Students

The major objectives are to help students build up a solid foundation, confidence and interest in learning Chinese as a foreign language.  Hanyu Pinyin (a Chinese phonetic system) is systematically taught to help students practice accurate pronunciation.  Students also learn to use Hanyu Pinyin as a tool to do Chinese word processing on computers.  Building on a foundation of speaking and listening, students learn to read Chinese characters by the radicals and concepts of combination of components.  A variety of stories about how Chinese characters were made through pictorial, sound and meaning clues etc., together with different structures of Chinese characters are introduced to enhance the interest in learning Chinese characters.  In the area of writing, students learn the basic stroke orders and rules of writing Chinese characters.  Students will be able to write short essays like introducing themselves, their families, short diary entries etc.  Common and practical communicative topics related to students’ own experience and general Chinese culture like numbers, families, hobbies, Chinese food and dates are also covered at this stage.

Learning Objectives of FL for Secondary Students

As students move along to the Secondary program, their oral communication skills are furthered strengthened through a variety of training and practice inside and outside of classroom.  Students are encouraged to do individual or group oral presentations in class. Students develop their practical reading skills, for example, reading menus, advertisements, road signs, public notices, private letters, simple emails, etc.  Practical writing skills like writing (or typing) private letters, notes, notices, and daily written communication techniques are emphasized, especially at the High School level.  Students are encouraged to take the Chinese Language and Culture Advanced Placement Test when they reach higher level courses in High School.  Students who complete all FL courses are recommended to continue to the CL stream.

Student Work & Awards

Interview project by the 10-11 Advanced Chinese 3 Class