ZhongHua Mandarin Immersion

Developing Mandarin as a life-skill and essential communication tool

Research has shown that the early years is a critical phase for children to develop language skills, and our immersive ZhongHua Mandarin Immersion has been proven to cultivate in young children a genuine lifelong love for learning the Mandarin language.

From the successes of our ZhongHua Mandarin Immersion at EtonHouse Zhong Hua and Robertson Walk campuses, we introduced the popular ZhongHua Mandarin Immersion to EtonHouse Newton in April 2022.

Launching the Pre-Nursery and Nursery 1 Mandarin classes from April 2022, our unique ZhongHua Mandarin Immersion’s curriculum is delivered entirely in Mandarin. Children will be exposed to a considerable amount of time listening, speaking, and writing in Mandarin which is essential for any sustainable language development in the early years.  Having such exclusive language exposure offers the children a focused Mandarin-speaking environment, which many do not have in their home environment. The curriculum delivery through the inquiry-based approach will make the experiences fun, engaging, and meaningful.

With extensive opportunities to communicate in Mandarin every single day, children are able to appreciate how useful and relevant the language is to their daily life. Over time, they are able to think and understand concepts in Mandarin.

Learning Mandarin through an Established Inquiry Approach

We believe that Mandarin is a life skill, not just a subject to be taught in isolation. That is why in EtonHouse, Mandarin is naturally acquired through meaningful experiences based on children’s interests.

The Mandarin environment is not intimidating to the children because at EtonHouse we emphasise on fostering a warm and nurturing relationship with children.  At EtonHouse, languages are not taught in structured and formal classes conducted in isolation, but naturally acquired through our Inquire, Think, Learn Curriculum, which is inquiry-based and individualised.  Therefore children learn at their own pace, while at the same time, being adequately challenged and inspired by their peers and the adults in the environment.

Children even develop a sound understanding of science, maths, arts, along with creative thinking and social competence, all while communicating in Mandarin!

Cultivating a genuine love for the language

On top of developing a life-long competence and interest in the language, our programme aims to develop an appreciation of the Chinese culture, as well as to nurture globally-focused and culturally competent children. Cultural immersion is, therefore, a critical part of our ZhongHua Mandarin Immersion and includes elements such as calligraphy, Chinese performing arts and inquiry projects on Chinese traditions, to name a few. 

Programme Highlights

• Native speaking educators
• Inquiry-based curriculum inspired by the Reggio Emilia Approach
• Learning Mandarin by immersing in a Chinese environment and integrating the 100 Languages
• Multi-cultural experiences with regular festive celebrations

Language Immersion

Programme Components

75% Inquiry-based experiences (Inquire-Think-Learn Curriculum)
We emphasize Chinese culture and language through the Inquire-Think-Learn approach using current themes and the 100 languages. Some examples include:

• Art (Shadow play, Chinese knotting, embroidery)
  
• Performing Arts (Puppet show, Chinese musical instruments, Chinese opera, Traditional folk art, Crosstalk, Two-man act, etc)

25% Chinese Language Arts

Mandarin nursery rhymes, poems and stories are integrated into creative learning experiences. Depending on the year level, children can experience language arts activities such as:

• Language Arts (Nursery Rhymes, Tongue twisters, Clapper talk, Reading and recitation of Chinese poetry)
• Art (Traditional Chinese painting, Chinese calligraphy)
• Performing Arts (Peking Opera, Comedic cross talk)

Enrichment / After School Activities (optional)

Additional Mandarin activities are available after school (after 4pm). Depending on availability, some extra-curricular activities include:

• Mandarin Speech and Drama

To find out more about our ZhongHua Mandarin Immersion, book a tour below.