Class

Mandarin Chinese Foundation Programme (Beginners, Elementary 1, 2 & 3)

This programme is suitable for children aged 5–12, corresponding approximately to P1–S2 in the Scottish education system. Students will be placed into classes according to their age and existing level of Chinese. Each class will be taught by the same teacher over a two-year programme. Each year has clearly defined assessment standards, ensuring a smooth and continuous progression from one level to the next.

We will use 《汉语》 (Chinese Language) as the main classroom textbook. Recommended by the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council, this series was specially developed by the Beijing Chinese Language and Culture College for overseas Chinese children. The materials are highly engaging and closely connected to children’s everyday lives, with colourful illustrations and age-appropriate content.

The textbooks introduce commonly used sentence patterns progressively, from simple to more advanced structures. Students will practise reading texts, learn new vocabulary and characters, and develop their Chinese handwriting skills. Each textbook is accompanied by a workbook, allowing children to practise and consolidate what they have learned at home.

We will also incorporate the 《快乐汉语》 (Happy Chinese) series, which was specifically designed for non-Chinese-speaking learners. These materials are particularly relevant to children growing up in an overseas environment and complement the main textbook programme.

In class, teachers will organise engaging and age-appropriate activities to develop children’s interest in learning Chinese and make lessons enjoyable and interactive.

Beginners (P1–P2)

Students will develop a strong foundation in Hanyu Pinyin and learn basic Chinese characters. Teachers will focus on helping students develop accurate pronunciation and provide guidance in early reading skills.

Elementary 1 & 2

Students will gradually become independent readers and will no longer rely on Pinyin. They will develop their reading fluency, expand their vocabulary, and increase their knowledge of Chinese characters.

Elementary 3

By the end of Elementary 3, students will be able to:

Communicate fluently in standard Mandarin in everyday situations.
Aim to recognise approximately 900–1,000 Chinese characters.
Read longer and more challenging texts independently.
Write longer pieces of narrative writing.
Use resources such as bilingual dictionaries and other learning tools to support independent learning.

This programme provides students with a strong foundation for progressing to the SQA examination preparation programme.

SQA Chinese Exam Preparation Class

This course is specifically designed for students in S2–S3, with a focus on systematically developing their overall Chinese language skills and preparing them for the SQA Chinese examinations.

The course uses Chinese textbooks widely used in Scottish schools, including 《进步一》, 《进步二》 and 《GCSE》, alongside targeted teaching and examination preparation based on SQA requirements.

Our exam preparation teacher currently teaches at a Scottish state secondary school and has extensive experience teaching SQA Chinese examination classes. With a strong understanding of the Scottish Chinese curriculum, SQA examination requirements and assessment standards, the teacher is able to provide effective preparation tailored to each student’s individual ability and learning needs.

The course focuses on both language development and examination skills. At the end of each unit, students will complete a progress test to assess their understanding, identify areas for improvement and consolidate their learning.

Key Areas of Focus

Examination Skills: Become familiar with SQA question formats, assessment requirements and effective examination techniques, improving both accuracy and efficiency.
Chinese Communication Skills: Develop speaking and writing skills, with a focus on expressing ideas clearly, accurately and confidently in Chinese.
Reading and Writing: Build reading comprehension and writing skills through a variety of texts and structured writing activities.
Exam Confidence and Resilience: Regular progress tests, mock examinations and timed practice help students become familiar with examination conditions, build confidence and develop the ability to perform under pressure.
Independent Learning: Encourage students to develop effective study habits, identify areas for improvement and use appropriate resources to solve problems independently, preparing them for higher levels of study.

SQA Chinese Exam Class

As students progress to S4, S5 and S6 in Scottish secondary schools, they take the national SQA examinations — National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher. These qualifications play an important role in students’ academic progression and university applications.

Chinese (Mandarin) is one of the language subjects available within the SQA system and is becoming increasingly popular among students across Scotland. For children from Chinese-speaking backgrounds, taking Chinese as a second language offers a valuable opportunity to build on their existing language skills and make the most of a natural linguistic advantage.

A strong result in SQA Chinese can enhance a student’s academic profile and provide an additional advantage when applying to university and planning for future careers.

Experienced Teachers and Specialist SQA Preparation

Our SQA Chinese teacher currently teaches at a Scottish state secondary school and has extensive experience teaching SQA examination classes. With a thorough understanding of the Scottish education system, SQA requirements and examination standards, our teacher provides personalised support tailored to each student’s ability and goals.

Through individualised teaching, careful guidance and targeted exam preparation, students are supported in developing their listening, speaking, reading and writing skills, while also building the confidence and examination techniques needed to achieve their full potential.

Over the years, our SQA Chinese students have achieved excellent results and gone on to apply successfully to leading UK universities, including the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), Imperial College London, the University of Edinburgh, the University of Glasgow and the University of St Andrews.

The “Success Alliance” — Working Together Towards Top Universities

Our exam-class students proudly refer to the class as the “Success Alliance”.

More than simply a Chinese language and exam preparation class, it is a supportive learning community where students set ambitious goals, encourage one another and work together towards success. The positive and motivated atmosphere helps students stay focused and inspired as they prepare for their SQA examinations and future university applications.

To provide additional support for our exam-class students, the school also offers:

1. University Application Talks and Alumni Sharing
We invite former students to share their experiences of applying to leading universities, including their university choices, application journeys and personal experiences. We also invite professionals to provide practical advice on university applications and academic planning.

2. Subject and Career Planning Talks
Guest speakers from different professional fields are invited to share their experiences and insights, helping students think beyond university subject choices and consider their longer-term career development.

3. Additional Academic Support
Where appropriate, we invite specialist teachers in subjects such as Mathematics and English to provide additional support classes, helping students strengthen their overall academic profile and prepare more confidently for competitive university applications.

We believe that Chinese can be much more than just another examination subject. For students with a Chinese-language background, it can be a unique strength that opens up further opportunities.

From Chinese language learning and SQA preparation to university applications and future career development, we aim to support our students every step of the way — helping them make the most of their language advantage and reach their full potential.

Enrichment & Academic Support Classes

A diverse range of courses: Our programmes include English, Mathematics and Science, Python Programming, International Chess, and Art & Ceramics, catering to children’s different learning needs and interests at each stage of their development.
Courses for different age groups: Programmes are available for students from P2 to S4, with classes tailored to their age, school year and individual learning level.
Balancing academic development with personal interests: Alongside core academic subjects such as languages, science and programming, our Art and Chess classes help develop students’ creativity, logical thinking, concentration and wider skills.
Small-group teaching and personalised support: Teachers provide targeted guidance based on each student’s existing ability and learning goals, helping them strengthen their foundations, address areas for improvement and make steady progress.
Experienced and dedicated teachers: Classes are taught by experienced subject specialists, providing students with structured, professional and supportive learning.
Focus on long-term development: Beyond short-term academic results, we aim to nurture students’ interest in learning, independent learning skills, critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, preparing them for future education and personal development.
Examination and university preparation: For students in secondary school, we provide additional support in subjects such as English and Science, helping them build a strong academic foundation and prepare for future examinations and university applications.