The Bamboo: A Cross-Curricular Journey in Chinese Learning

What do pupils say about the project? Watch the video to learn more.

Beginning with Bamboo: The Power of Inquiry-Based Learning

In Chinese culture, bamboo symbolises resilience, humility and integrity. It appears frequently in poetry and painting and has long been an essential part of everyday life. Using bamboo as our entry point, we invite pupils to ask their own questions:

Why does bamboo grow so quickly?
How does it shape daily life in China?
Why have scholars and artists admired it for centuries?

These questions do not have fixed answers, but they spark curiosity. As pupils search for explanations, they naturally use Chinese to read, discuss, think and express their ideas. Language learning becomes purposeful and meaningful.

Pupils explore how bamboo is used in architecture, art, musical instruments and daily life, while also engaging with bamboo-related culture, poetry and literature. Through this inquiry-based approach, Chinese is no longer confined to textbooks; it becomes a tool for understanding the world.

Cross-Curricular Learning: Growing Language and Skills Together

At Wellington, Chinese learning never stands alone. Centred on the theme of bamboo, we design cross-curricular activities that help pupils see Chinese not simply as a subject, but as a bridge connecting different areas of knowledge.

Beyond Language: Nurturing Core Competencies

The bamboo theme is just one example of Wellington's Chinese curriculum. Our goals extend beyond language proficiency to the development of key competencies:

Along the way, each child finds their own point of connection. Some learn to love Chinese calligraphy, others become fascinated by Chinese science and technology, while others come to appreciate Chinese food culture. When language connects with life and personal interests, learning flows naturally.