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 Full Mandarin Immersion has been proven to cultivate in young children a genuine lifelong love for learning the Mandarin language.
ZhongHua Full Mandarin Immersion’s curriculum is delivered entirely in Mandarin. Children are 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 Full Mandarin Immersion and includes elements such as calligraphy, Chinese performing arts and inquiry projects on Chinese traditions, to name a few. Through Chinese holiday camps and Mandarin after-school clubs, children also engage in the language in a fun and engaging manner.
Language Immersion
Programme Components
75% Inquiry-based experiences (Inquire.Think.Learn Curriculum) We emphasise 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)
Sports and Games (Traditional acrobatics, Bamboo dance, Kungfu).
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 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)
Extra-Curricular Courses (optional)
Additional Chinese programmes are available after school (after 4pm). Depending on availability, some extra-curricular experiences include:
Chinese Musical Instrument – Guzheng
Chinese Culture – Chinese calligraphy class, Traditional Chinese painting class
Abacus and Mental arithmetic
Book a tour to find out more about our ZhongHua Full Mandarin Immersion Programme!
Tian Yuhui, Parent of Emily Tian, Quayside Pre-School
EtonHouse Pre-School at Robertson Walk is a wonderful preschool with an innovative learning environment, responsible and caring staff. I love the attention, support and effort teachers put into understanding each child individually. They appreciate the child’s strengths and help them improve their weaknesses.
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Amanda Lucas, Parent of Lachlan and Maddison, Quayside Pre-School
The curriculum is very well balanced and helps develop our children socially, emotionally and intellectually while providing a genuinely multicultural experience that the children love.
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Nichol, Parent of Sascha, Shaia and Xander, Quayside Pre-School
Robertson Walk has families with cross cultural backgrounds that greatly benefit my children because everyone gets to learn from each other. What I love the most about EtonHouse is that I can communicate freely with the school management and the teachers. This helps to build an environment where we work together to groom the child in the best way possible.
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