This year's Chinese curriculum at a glance

Helena Hicks

Director of Chinese Studies

The Chinese Department has a lot of exciting things in the works for the 2021-22 academic year. Before we look ahead, I would be remiss if I did not mention the spectacular exam results that our Senior School pupils achieved last academic year. 12 of our pupils sat the Chinese A IB exam, which tests Chinese on the native level. 10 of them earned a score of 7, the highest possible. Two scored 6. These results have raised the bar with a new school record! Additionally, 14 pupils out of 17 who sat the exam for Chinese as a second language and foreign language achieved scores of 7. IGCSE results were no less impressive, with 31 pupils out of 41 achieving A* grades. Suffice it to say, we are starting the year with lots of momentum.

Last year, we overhauled our Chinese second language curriculum. We did not just want our pupils to study Chinese as a subject in itself. Rather, we wanted them to learn how to learn in Chinese, using it as a way to relate to all subjects, from the sciences to the arts. It has been a great success so far. Curriculums, however, are always a work in progress. We had a year to see what areas needed fine-tuning. This year, we are introducing native-language textbooks from Singapore in year 7. We find that these materials are particularly well suited to the unique needs of Chinese second language pupils, because their skill level is above that of the average second language speaker.

We will be continuing with more project-based learning (PBL) for our Prep School pupils. These two-week-long modules help our pupils develop essential skills like leadership, teamwork and organisation while also refining their speaking and listening abilities. This year, we have several programmes lined up per year group. Each will have a theme featuring a different Chinese cultural touchstone, such as chrysanthemums, silkworms, plum blossoms and bamboo.

Our year 1 and year 2 Chinese first language teachers never stop thinking of new ways to make learning fun for our youngest pupils. Plans are therefore in the works to integrate course content from the IB Primary Years Programme into their teaching.

For our Chinese first language pupils in Upper Prep and Senior School, we are redoubling our efforts to encourage whole-book reading. We want to see them taking to Chinese books with the same level of enthusiasm that they do with books in English. Chinese first language reading is often focused on classical literary works like Dream of the Red Chamber or Journey to the West. These are, of course, great reads. But Chinese reading does not just have to be high literature. As such, we aim to expose our pupils to reading options that explore daily life in contemporary China.

Of course, we want the entire Wellington Community to experience Chinese culture, too. This is why we have an exciting calendar of whole-school events lined up. The first is Mid-Autumn Festival, which we will observe this Friday 17 September. To celebrate, we will decorate the campus with a massive rabbit and moon. Pupils across year groups will learn about this ancient festival through a number of interactive lessons and activities. There will be plenty of mooncakes to snack on too. Spring Festival, or Chinese New Year, is always the highlight of the year, and we will usher in the Year of the Tiger with music and dance performances, a temple fair and a charity auction featuring original works by our very own Wellingtonians. Then, in the summer term, we will celebrate Dragon Boat Festival with our special 'boat races' on the sports field, where we will see pupils compete in their houses — not to be missed.

It is going to be a fun and engaging year. I look forward to seeing all of you in the classroom and at our events!