In Mandarin Classes – How do we practice our language skills?

Learning Chinese is very different from other Roman alphabet languages. By doing so, it encourages the boys to step out of their comfort zone, challenge the ways they learn and develop the skills to inquire about matters from several different perspectives.

Kindergarten boys are learning about family pets in Mandarin. We read story books in the class and we have played some fun language games using handmade animal dice. The boys took turns to throw the dice and construct a sentence using the name of the animal. They practiced and demonstrated great team work skill during the game. The boys were able to help each other out with the pronunciation and are genuinely motivated to learn a new language – it is looked at as a new way to view the world!

Kahoot is an online learning tool. It contains collections of questions on different topics and, in real-time, players can join in and play a friendly game or two against one another. It is a fun, formative way to assess a students’ learning and it is also very popular across all the grades.  As an online tool that can be accessed away from the school campus, students are encouraged to continue learning in a constructive way. 

During the recent peer teaching session, some Year 4 boys attempted to come up with their own questions and answers to assess their classmates’ learning. Displaying initiative and leadership indicate that they are progressing in their learning journey quite significantly and, in a great display of co-operation and mateship, they are helping bring along any members of the class who might be having difficulty.  In essence, they are taking what they have learned in the class to the next level.

In our Mandarin classes we use a wide variety of methods and tools to practice our language skills.  That, in and of itself, does not create success – it is the student’s willingness to learn and actively participate which will lead to greatness!

Eva Angel – Mandarin Teacher