Skip To Main Content

Mandarin Program

Concordia's mandarin program nurtures students' Chinese linguistic and cultural talents from Preschool to Grade 12.

Our rigorous curriculum values the unique features of Chinese language and culture, offering multiple course levels tailored to each student’s proficiency. 

Beyond language acquisition, our curriculum immerses students in Chinese culture, fostering cultural awareness, identity, and critical thinking. This enriching approach broadens their worldview and enhances literary appreciation.

Teaching Philosophy

Designed for diverse language proficiency levels, our program builds a strong foundation for beginners and deepens the skills of heritage speakers. New students are assessed and placed in the appropriate class for personalized learning.

Our creative team of native-speaking Mandarin teachers create developmentally appropriate lessons and activities to match the language abilities of each student, no matter their degree of exposure to the language.

Two Pathways of Mandarin Study

 

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.

Framework: Inspired by Common Core State Standards and the Chinese National Curriculum.

 

Chinese Language & Culture (CLC)

For: Students with diverse levels of exposure to Mandarin.

Focus: Acquiring linguistic skills and cultural awareness through integrated language and cultural activities.

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

Framework: Informed by ACTFL World-Readiness Standards for Learning Languages, and the Chinese Proficiency Grading Standards for International Chinese Language Education

 

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