curriculum

Our Curriculum

Our curriculum is designed to meet students’ needs, creating a student-centered learning environment. It aligns with ACTFL’s 5Cs and Common Core standards, ensuring that students produce meaningful work while enjoying the process of learning Mandarin. We use authentic and personalized materials to make each lesson engaging and effective. Our curriculum is designed to provide a comprehensive and engaging learning experience for students of all levels. We focus on theme and project-based learning, using interactive and hands-on activities to make the language come alive. Each lesson is rigorous and customized to meet the unique interests and needs of our students, ensuring that they receive the most effective and personalized education possible.

We use simplified characters in our teaching, with traditional characters introduced when discussing the origins and decomposition of Chinese characters. Our teaching materials are thoughtfully created in-house, including authentic or semi-authentic readings, leveled reading materials, vocabulary cards, and adaptations of textbooks used in Mandarin immersion programs. This approach allows us to offer theme-based and personalized content tailored to each student.

In addition to our core curriculum, we prepare students for standard Chinese language proficiency tests like YCT and HSK, strengthening their academic language skills through content area teaching. We also introduce students to the rich history, philosophy, and culture of China, providing a well-rounded educational experience.

Our extracurricular activities, such as “Chinese Library Time,” further enhance students’ learning by offering access to an extensive collection of Chinese books and hosting cultural events like Chinese painting, calligraphy, and festival celebrations. These activities, free and open to all students, foster a deeper connection with the language and culture.

Parents can track their child’s progress through live videos of classroom lessons, regular communication, and test preparation support, even if they don’t speak Mandarin. This holistic approach makes Ya Yan Mandarin Class a standout choice for Mandarin education, offering a joyful, inclusive, and effective learning environment.