by: Derrick Muntwyler, Assistant Head of School, Burlington Campus
This Fall, Fern Hill was pleased to launch a new learning initiative introducing Mandarin language to our Preschool, Junior Kindergarten and Senior Kindergarten students.
This unique offering integrates Mandarin language study into our programme in a seamless way. Ms. Lee participates in the classroom and introduces Mandarin words and concepts throughout the learning day.
Ms. Lee will also actively participate in a physical education class, so that when the children are playing, she is repeating instructions, directions and colours in Mandarin. She also has dedicated class time throughout the week to teach new words, colours and songs by using flash cards, videos, books, songs and cultural experiences to introduce our youngest students to the language.
Our children go home able to sing, identify colours, numbers and follow instructions in Mandarin. It has been so successful, that during assembly on Monday mornings, Happy Birthday is now sung in Mandarin.
As the children absorb this new information and begin using Mandarin words and phrases at home, we now have our parents asking the school for English-Mandarin “cheat sheets” so learning can be further reinforced at home.
The introduction of Mandarin to our Early Years programme is just another example of how Fern Hill school strives to provide unique and rewarding learning experiences to our students.