Mandarin Program | Concordia International School Shanghai

Mandarin Program

Concordia’s Mandarin program is designed to serve students across a wide range of language backgrounds and levels of proficiency. From Preschool through Grade 12, students follow clear learning pathways that provide the right level of support, instruction, and academic growth.

Our Mandarin team brings deep expertise and a strong understanding of how students develop as speakers, readers, writers, and thinkers. Whether Mandarin is new to a student or already an important part of family life and identity, parents can be confident that their child will be known, appropriately placed, and encouraged to achieve at a high level.

Teaching Philosophy

Our Mandarin program’s philosophy reflects the school’s mission and vision. We educate students holistically and inspire their curiosity. We are committed to passing on the rich, diverse, and profound aspects of Chinese culture, including Chinese literature and its creative language. Our approach focuses on nurturing every student through a journey of personal and academic growth, fosters a growth mindset, critical thinking and problem-solving skills. We aim to deepen their understanding of Chinese philosophy, values, and history, strengthen their connections to their roots, family values, and traditions, and help them view their identity through a multicultural lens. At Concordia, we offer two pathways to enhance students’ language and cognitive development while preparing them to become effective communicators and active global citizens.

Two Pathways of Mandarin Study

We recognize that language learning is an individualized journey. Students learn languages at different paces and they are recommended for different level courses based on their proficiency skills. Beginning in Kindergarten, the Mandarin program provides two pathways:

Chinese Language & Literature (CLL)

For: Students with significant exposure to Mandarin and/or those who use Mandarin as a primary language at home.

Focus: Enriching literacy skills and fostering an appreciation for the language’s functionality and aesthetics.

Engagement: Students explore a wide range of literary and informational texts across various genres and cultures.

Standards: The Common Core State Standards and the Chinese National Curriculum Standards served as guiding frameworks for curriculum development. 

Chinese Language & Culture (CLC)

For: Students with diverse levels of exposure to Mandarin.

Focus: Developing communication skills and cultural understanding through integrated language and cultural activities.

Skills Development: Proficiency in interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational communication skills.

Standards: The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) World-Readiness Standards for Learning Languages and the Chinese Proficiency Grading Standards for International Chinese Language Education serve as foundational frameworks for curriculum development.

Sample Mandarin Progression Flowcharts

Opportunities to Expand Mandarin Learning

In addition to Mandarin courses, extracurricular offerings such as Chinese Club and Chinese Honor Society allow students to develop their knowledge of Chinese culture while enhancing their language and leadership skills. Our heritage Mandarin courses and co-curricular offerings are equally suited for high school students who are coming to Concordia from other top schools.

Extracurricular Program

Our Stories

What's it like to see ancient bronze treasures and historic coins up close? Just step into the hallway outside our Grade 5 Chinese classrooms, and you'll find out! A beautiful gallery of bronze and coin artworks now brings thousands of years of history right to your eye level.

Chinese is not learned through rote repetition—it is lived. In the “Voice of Nature” unit, students in the G7/8 CLL (Chinese Language and Literature) advanced class didn’t just study; they turned their chosen destinations into visual stories, transforming hallways into galleries of discovery.

At the Pudong New Area International Students Mandarin Showcase competition, five Concordia students brought their vision to life with fluent Mandarin and a lively performance. And guess what? They took home third place!

G7 and G8 students in the CLL (Chinese Language and Literature) Advanced class brought the stories of anti-war advocates throughout history to life on a series of creative posters.

Concordia students Saanvi and Angelina took home 2nd prize in their respective categories (ES and MS) at the Palace Museum Chinese Speech Competition of the Pudong Overseas Students Chinese Culture Exhibition.