Chinese Language and Culture Programme

SPIRIT OF EXPLORATION OF THE

Chinese Language

In a world of colorful education models, Chinese language education at Utahloy International School Guangzhou is like a diamond in the rough, combining the best of the East with the best of the West. At UISG, we have always been committed to the spirit of exploration of Chinese Language education and have tailored a unique Language Policy to create a Chinese Language Curriculum that exceeds both local and international standards.

To give full play to the pivotal role of Chinese language teaching in the growth of our international students, we have developed numerous Chinese language teaching programmes of great depth and knowledge.

Chinese Language and Culture Programme Description

Chinese A: Learning Chinese as a Mother Tongue

ChineseA: Learning Chinese as a Mother Tongue

We always adhere to the student-centered approach, take the appreciation of literary works as the main line, draw on diversified teaching strategies, and promote the integration of cultural elements in depth. Through this course, students can break through the barriers of time and space, experience the splendor of ancient and modern Chinese culture, and enhance their self-identity in the international environment.

At the primary level, we follow an inquiry-based learning model to improve students’ overall language literacy. We take a student-centered approach, making learning fun and stimulating students’ enthusiasm for Chinese language learning. Teaching is centered on six themes, using literary genres as an outline and developing students’ listening, speaking, reading, writing, and presentation skills. With this method, students can enjoy learning in a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere while rapidly improving their literacy.

At the secondary school level, our teaching originates from the past. It develops to the present, taking the profound Chinese culture as the soil, drawing nourishment from a vast sea of classic works, fully exploring the connotations of ancient and modern literature, digging out the intrinsic essence of the works, and honing the individual’s analytical and expressive skills. From the detailed study of literature to broadening cultural exploration, from the in-depth explanation of knowledge to the comprehensive and multi-faceted practical application, the course will lead students to understand the beauty of the Chinese language and writing in depth.

Chinese B: Learning Chinese as a Second Language

The Chinese B program focuses on the development of students’ linguistic competence by guiding them to acquire Chinese language skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing from real-life contexts and real-life materials. We have adopted several innovative teaching strategies and diversified means to stimulate students’ interest and commitment to Chinese language learning to help them become more proficient in Chinese language skills and improve their communicative competence. In addition, we place great emphasis on differentiated teaching and learning to help students reach their fullest potential by providing them with in-depth insights into their learning characteristics and needs.

In a multicultural environment like Utahloy International School Guangzhou, children from more than 50 countries learn and explore this ancient and profound language and gain a deep understanding of the depth and core spirit of Chinese language and culture. At a time of globalization, mastery of the Chinese language is the key to unlocking access to Chinese culture, enabling students to become global citizens fluent in Chinese and familiar with Chinese culture.

Specific Curriculum

Whole School Programme Curriculum

IBDP First Subject Group:

- Chinese A: Literature courses (Advanced and General)
- Chinese A: Language and Literature Programme (Advanced Placement and General Studies)

IBDP Subject Group II:

- Chinese B: Language Programme (Advanced Placement and General Studies)
- Mandarin Ab initio Elementary Chinese Language Programme

MYP Chinese Language Programme

- Chinese Native Language Programme
- Chinese Non-Native Language Programme

PYP Chinese Programme

- Chinese Mother Tongue Programme
- Chinese Non-Mother Tongue Programme

Thematic Activities on Chinese Culture

Culture carries the footprints of history and deposits civilization’s profound and glorious essence. We are committed to inspiring our students’ passion for knowledge, respecting traditional Chinese values, promoting a harmonious and tolerant attitude towards cultural exchange, and inspiring them to pursue excellence in literacy. Our school regularly holds many Chinese cultural-themed activities, including paper-cutting, tea ceremony, calligraphy, Peking Opera face painting, etc., which enable students to deeply understand and experience the history of Chinese civilization and the infinite charm of traditional arts.

Traditional Chinese Festivals and Celebrations

Mid-Autumn Festival

Festivals have accumulated the vicissitudes of time and the essence of culture and are one of the essential carriers of national culture. One of the most important ways for students to get to know China is to experience and deeply feel the unique atmosphere and flavor of traditional Chinese festivals. To this end, we have been exploring the richness and diversity of China’s traditional festivals and have designed and successfully organized various unique and distinctive celebrations.

Chinese-Themed Tournaments

To provide a more comprehensive and systematic learning experience, we plan school Chinese competitions and organize students to participate in various practical activities in the Chinese language field every year. Debates, drama performances, and the National Youth Calligraphy and Painting Exhibition are just a few of the many ways in which our students demonstrate their talents. During these well-organized events, the innovative team of teachers guides the students in using their Chinese language skills to express themselves and their charisma based on Chinese culture. Through this process, Utahloy International School Guangzhou’s Chinese language education provides a rich and diverse environment for students to grow and flourish in a vibrant and inspiring environment.

Chinese Language Conference

Only by cultivating the local community can we look at the world. Starting in 2019, our school has hosted the first “Frontier” in-depth seminar on Chinese language teaching and learning. Nearly 300 teachers from three places on both sides of the Taiwan Strait gathered here to discuss the cutting-edge concepts and practices of Chinese language teaching. We kept up with the current trend, focusing on how to develop a prosperous mother tongue teaching in primary and secondary schools under a bilingual environment, as well as analyzing the difficulties in teaching Chinese language acquisition, and set up various types of workshops to provide participants with sufficient space for exchange, sharing a feast of ideas covering the concepts and practices of Chinese language education around the world. With the South China region as the cornerstone, the “Frontier” In-depth Symposium on Chinese Language Teaching and Learning is committed to creating a diversified and professional platform for discussion, which will encourage Chinese language educators around the world to continuously improve their qualities and add a firm foundation to the flourishing development of Chinese language education in the new era.

Interdisciplinary Teaching

Interdisciplinary teaching and learning enable students to gain new perspectives and apply interdisciplinary principles and skills to solve real-world problems.
At UISG, we have implemented various interdisciplinary teaching and learning practices in Chinese language education to promote innovative integration and knowledge transfer across disciplinary groupings and cross-cutting areas. We write about the beauty of paintings with words and use Chinese to help promote culture and sports. The successful implementation of interdisciplinary learning programs in Chinese language and arts, sports, etc., enables students to think deeply with critical thinking in the process and to take the initiative to build various interconnected knowledge ties in interdisciplinary learning experiences and exchanges, to better adapt to this increasingly connected and globalized world.