Mandarin
Learning Languages
Learning languages broadens students’ horizons about the personal, social, cultural and employment opportunities that are available in an increasingly interconnected and interdependent world. The interdependence of countries and communities requires people to negotiate experiences and meanings across languages and cultures. A bilingual or plurilingual capability is the norm in most parts of the world.
At Hampton, we develop our Mandarin program mainly guided by the Communicative Approach. Communication is essentially the rationale for language and the Communicative Approach seeks to develop those skills that enable students to meaningfully engage with each other. Interactive activities are the hallmark of this approach. In the Mandarin classroom at Hampton, students are given as much opportunity to deliver and receive meaningful communication as possible in Mandarin.
Our core focuses include:
- Students and the school community recognise Mandarin Chinese as one part of the community language.
- Students grow awareness and passion for learning a language other than English.
- Students cherish and celebrate their home language as a reflection of understanding and learning different languages.
- Students are able to achieve a range of levels of Mandarin skills with our immersive program.
- Students have opportunities to obtain formal certificates to their skill levels.
There are also opportunities for students to both build and showcase their skills in a range of authentic contexts, such as:
- Incursion and excursion experiences with professional presenters, including Dragon Dance, Tea Ceremony, cooking lessons and an annual museum tour.
- Inspirational student conferences about learning languages and about China.
- Attending advanced Mandarin classes provided by Victoria University.
- Building friendship and learning culture directly from our sister school in Yangzhou.
