First exposure to language is meant to be both interactive and fun; this is the primary goal of elementary foreign language studies at Concordia. The World Languages Department emphasizes the connection between language and culture. From taking local class trips to hearing engaging talks by visiting experts, Concordia students touch, see, hear and engage with the Mandarin language and come to realize that there are multiple ways of viewing the world.
A Two-Track Program
Our Mandarin Program is divided into two tracks to accommodate the international nature of our student body. The Mandarin as a Foreign Language track serves students who do not have native Mandarin language experience and the Heritage Mandarin track serves students with native Mandarin language experience.
Conversational Mandarin (CM) and Mandarin as a Foreign Language (MFL) are offered to students with no or limited formal Mandarin learning. Students are assessed and placed in the best learning level based on their skill level. The main focus of this program is on listening, speaking and recognizing Chinese characters, reading and writing simple sentences, and developing an awareness and understanding of Chinese culture. Conversational Mandarin (CM-K and CM-1) is taught 30 minutes daily and is offered for Kindergarten and Grade 1 students with limited or no formal Mandarin learning. Student placement in CM classes is primarily based on age appropriate groups and not solely on assessment results. The main focus is on oral conversation and listening skills and students learn basic words/phrases related to home and school life, numbers, days of week/date, common fruits, colors, pets, manners, numbers, etc. Mandarin as a Foreign Language 1 (MFL1) is taught 30 minutes daily. No prior or limited experience in a Mandarin program required. The class focuses on learning words/phrases, recognizing Chinese characters, learning the Pinyin system and some character strokes. Students study by themes-Greetings, Numbers, Family Members, Self Introduction, Occupations, Time, Transportation, Colors, Clothing, and Parts of the Body. Main Textbook resource—Easy Steps to Chinese-Book 1 Mandarin as a Foreign Language 1 (MFL1) for Grades Three and Four is taught 40 minutes daily. No prior or limited experience in a Mandarin program required. The class focuses on learning words/phrases, recognizing Chinese characters, learning the Pinyin system and some character strokes. Students study by themes-Greetings, Numbers, Family Members, Self Introduction, Occupations, Time, Transportation, Colors, Clothing, and Parts of the Body. Main Textbook resource – Easy Steps to Chinese – Book 1 Mandarin as a Foreign Language 2 (MFL2) for Grades Three and Four is taught 40 minutes daily. Prior experience in a Mandarin program required. The class focuses on continued learning of words/phrases, sentence structure, recognizing Chinese characters, learning the Pinyin system and some character strokes. Students learn in themed lessons- Countries, Languages, Phone Etiquette, Weather, Seasons, Sickness, Hobbies, Vegetables and Fruits, Meals and Dining Out, Lessons relating to the House, Furniture, and Neighborhoods. Main Textbook resource – Easy Steps to Chinese – Book 2 Mandarin as a Foreign Language 3 (MFL3) for Grade Four is taught 40 minutes daily. Prior experience in a Mandarin program required. The class focuses on continued learning of words/phrases, sentence structure, recognizing Chinese characters, learning the Pinyin system and some character strokes. Students learn in themed lessons- Relatives, Appearance, Seeing a Doctor, Seasons, Occupations, Hobbies, Subjects of Study, School Facilities, Stationery, Fresh Market, Snacks, Eating Out, Neighborhood, Asking the Way and Neighbors. Main Textbook resource – Easy Steps to Chinese – Book 3 Heritage Mandarin (HM) classes are for students who have a Chinese heritage or have had various formal Mandarin learning experiences. These classes focus on building reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills and developing an appreciation for the Chinese culture. Students in this track will usually have more written and reading homework than students in the Mandarin as a Foreign Language (MFL) track. Heritage Mandarin Kindergarten-Grade 3 (HMK-HM3) is taught 30 minutes daily. Mandarin is usually the primary language spoken at home for students in this class. Through songs, poems and rhymes, student continue their Mandarin study with listening, speaking, reading, writing activities?. Heritage Mandarin 2-5 (HM2 – HM5) is taught 40 minutes daily. Students are assessed and placed in their best instructional level. Through a focus on poems, fables, stories and literature students increase their Mandarin speaking, listening, reading and writing skills. New Concept Chinese is the main textbook resource. Teachers also use other resources to enrich language studies.Grades K-1
Grade 2
Grades 3-4
Kindergarten, Grades 1 and 2
Grades 3 and 4
Placement in Learning Levels
New Concordia students are interviewed upon arrival and tentatively placed. Anecdotal evidence is collected during the first two weeks of class and adjustments are made when necessary. Students who have attended Concordia previously are placed in the appropriate level based on a combination of class performance, teacher recommendation, and achievement on the end-of-the-year assessment.