Chinese as a Second Language (CSL)
Target Students:
Teaching Method:
Teaching Goals:
Textbooks and Resources:
- Balance listening, speaking, reading, and character writing, ensuring well-rounded language development.
- Utilize illustrations, dialogues, and songs to keep younger learners interested.
- Each book introduces Chinese culture, which is essential for holistic language learning.
- The focus is on enabling students to communicate in real-life situations, boosting their confidence.
- Beginners or students with limited Chinese exposure.
- Children who need English language support during instruction and who wish to build confidence and interest in learning Chinese in a friendly environment.
- Age Range: 4 Years 9 Months and up – Grade 6.
Teaching Method:
- Small-group instruction.
- Approximately 50–70% conducted in Chinese, with necessary English support provided for concept clarification and task explanation.
Teaching Goals:
- Focus on listening, speaking, and reading.
- Build strong proficiency in commonly used characters, vocabulary, and sentence patterns.
- Emphasize the practical use of Chinese in daily life to enable flexible conversations in different scenarios.
- Practice Chinese typing.
Textbooks and Resources:
- Easy Steps to Chinese for Kids / Easy Steps to Chinese
- Balance listening, speaking, reading, and character writing, ensuring well-rounded language development.
- Utilize illustrations, dialogues, and songs to keep younger learners interested.
- Each book introduces Chinese culture, which is essential for holistic language learning.
- The focus is on enabling students to communicate in real-life situations, boosting their confidence.
Chinese as a Second Language (CSL) vs. Chinese Immersion
Aspect |
Chinese as a Second Language (CSL) |
Immersion Chinese |
Target Students |
Students with little or no Chinese background |
Students with regular Chinese exposure at home or in the community |
Learning Goal |
Build a strong foundation in listening and speaking, then gradually introduce reading and writing |
Develop full language proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing |
Language of Instruction |
~50-70% Chinese + English Scaffolding |
80-100% Chinese with minimal English |
Curriculum Focus |
Pronunciation, basic vocabulary, daily conversations, confidence building |
Reading comprehension, writing, grammar, and advanced expression |