Chinese Studies

“Language and communication are at the heart of the human experience.” As members of an international school community, we fully embrace this statement from the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). The study of languages fosters respect for and understanding of other cultures while deepening students’ awareness of their own. It also cultivates creative thinking and self-directed learning.

The central purpose of language learning is the communication and exchange of ideas, perspectives, and needs. These skills empower learners to meet social and informational demands in authentic contexts. The HKIS Chinese Studies program recognizes and responds to the diverse needs of our learners. Because language acquisition depends on many factors, our program provides differentiated instruction in listening, speaking, reading, and writing to support every student’s individual growth.

Language learning prepares students to participate in today’s global community with confidence and adaptability. Literacy builds upon a foundation of spoken language competence; therefore, oral communication stands at the core of our instruction. Reading is gradually introduced, followed by writing. Through a balanced approach, our program develops students’ language skills across the three modes of communication—interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational—ensuring meaningful engagement and authentic use of Mandarin.

The Upper Primary Chinese Studies curriculum is proficiency-based. Students are grouped according to their overall language proficiency profiles, and instruction is designed to help each learner progress to the next level through meaningful themes and topics. Exit benchmarks for each group align with the R1–12 Chinese Studies curriculum, reflecting the natural progression of language development.

Novice-Low to Novice-Mid: Students follow basic classroom instructions, identify pinyin symbols, read short texts with pinyin support, and recognize common words and phrases in familiar contexts. They respond to spoken language using gestures, single words, or simple phrases; begin asking topic-related questions; and use characters, pinyin, and drawings to convey meaning through memorized expressions.

Novice-Mid to Novice-High: Learners follow classroom routines, identify main ideas and key details in short texts or conversations, and read with increasing fluency. They communicate about familiar topics—such as themselves, daily life, and activities—by asking and answering simple questions using practiced words and sentences. At this stage, they begin to write short descriptions and present simple information using learned characters and expressions.

Novice-High to Intermediate-Low: Students show growing independence in understanding and producing language. They identify key details in familiar texts, confirm comprehension through questioning, and retell stories or information logically. In interpersonal exchanges, they contribute ideas, seek clarification, and respond appropriately. Their writing includes connected sentences that describe people, places, or events, express opinions, and conclude logically.

Intermediate-Mid: Learners apply language with greater accuracy and flexibility across all three communication modes. They recount stories from diverse cultures, identify main ideas and supporting details, and compare and contrast information and experiences. They sustain conversations across multiple exchanges, asking questions to clarify or elaborate. In oral and written presentations, they produce well-structured paragraphs that communicate ideas clearly and cohesively, expressing thoughtful opinions and perspectives.

Students performing above the Intermediate-Mid level receive additional enrichment materials and small-group instruction to further develop their proficiency.

Across all proficiency levels, the HKIS Chinese Studies program cultivates confidence, intercultural competence, and a lifelong love of language learning through a balanced, communicative approach.