MANDO SCHOOL Curriculum: Early Years, KS1, and KS2

At MANDO SCHOOL, our curriculum is designed to make learning Mandarin a fun, engaging, and memorable experience for children from Early Years to KS2. We believe in the power of storytelling, play, and imagination, ensuring that every child learns Mandarin with a smile on their face. Our curriculum is carefully crafted to cater to different age groups, using methods that are not only educational but also exciting and interactive.

Early Years (Ages 2-5): Learning Through Play and Imagination

For our littlest learners, we believe that learning should be all about fun, play, and imagination. At this age, children are naturally curious and love exploring the world through stories, movement, and games. Our Early Years curriculum is designed to introduce Mandarin in the most playful and interactive way possible.

How We Teach:

• Story-Led Adventures: Every lesson is a magical story that takes children on exciting adventures. From exploring enchanted forests to meeting talking animals, our stories are filled with action, imagination, and fun twists. Mandarin words and phrases are woven into the narrative, making learning effortless and memorable.

• Rhymes, Songs, and Movement: We use catchy rhymes and songs to introduce Mandarin vocabulary, combined with movement and actions to reinforce learning. Children dance, jump, and act out the story, keeping them active and engaged.

• Interactive Games: Fun, playful games like ‘Simon Says’ and ‘Treasure Hunt’ are adapted with Mandarin words and commands, helping children learn through movement and play.

• Repetition and Rhythm: Repetition is key for young learners. We repeat key words and phrases throughout the story and activities, helping children remember them naturally.

Focus Areas:

• Basic Vocabulary: Greetings (你好, 再见), Numbers, Colours, Animals, Food, and Family Members.

• Simple Phrases: Introducing simple conversational phrases like “Hello,” “Goodbye,” and “Thank you.”

• Listening and Speaking: Focused on listening and repeating words with correct pronunciation and tones.

• Physical Movement and Actions: Combining words with actions to enhance memory and understanding.

Why It Works:

• Learning Through Play: By turning learning into play, children learn Mandarin without realising it.

• Imaginative Storytelling: Engaging narratives capture children’s imaginations, keeping them focused and excited.

• Active Participation: Combining movement with language makes learning dynamic and memorable.

Example:

In one of our adventures, children help a lost panda find its way home by solving riddles and following directions – all in Mandarin. They learn words for directions, animals, and actions while jumping, dancing, and exploring.

KS1 (Ages 5-7): Building Confidence Through Fun and Exploration

At KS1, children are becoming more confident communicators and are ready to explore language in a playful yet structured way. Our KS1 curriculum is designed to build confidence, encourage curiosity, and make Mandarin exciting through imaginative stories, interactive games, and roleplay.

How We Teach:

• Story-Led Learning: We continue using imaginative story-led adventures but with more complex plots and interactive dialogue. Children become characters in the story, using Mandarin to solve problems, complete missions, and communicate with magical creatures.

• Roleplay and Drama: Children act out scenes, becoming shopkeepers, explorers, or superheroes, practising conversational Mandarin in fun, playful settings.

• Games and Activities: We use team games, challenges, and competitions that involve speaking, listening, and using Mandarin vocabulary. Games are designed to be fun, energetic, and interactive.

• Songs and Rhymes: Catchy songs and rhymes make learning vocabulary fun and memorable, reinforcing words through rhythm and repetition.

Focus Areas:

• Conversational Mandarin: Basic questions and answers (e.g., “What’s your name?”, “How old are you?”).

• Thematic Vocabulary: Days of the week, Weather, Animals, Food, Transport, and Feelings.

• Simple Sentences: Forming simple sentences using verbs and adjectives.

• Listening, Speaking, and Responding: Developing listening skills, practising pronunciation, and building confidence in speaking Mandarin.

Why It Works:

• Confidence Building: By acting out roles and practising dialogue, children gain confidence in speaking Mandarin.

• Contextual Learning: Using Mandarin in real-life scenarios makes the language relevant and meaningful.

• Active Participation: Games and roleplay keep children active, engaged, and motivated to learn.

Example:

In a story about visiting a magical market, children roleplay as shoppers and sellers, practising phrases like “How much is this?” and “I want to buy…”. They learn vocabulary for food, toys, and numbers while negotiating and bargaining in Mandarin.

KS2 (Ages 7-11): Exploring Language Through Themes, Games, and Activities

For KS2, our curriculum becomes more structured and thematic, with a focus on building vocabulary, forming sentences, and using Mandarin in practical, real-world situations. At this age, children are ready to explore language more deeply while still having fun through interactive games, roleplay, and creative activities.

How We Teach:

• Thematic Learning: Lessons are organised around exciting and relevant themes, such as ‘Adventures in Space,’ ‘Mystical Creatures,’ ‘Food and Cooking,’ and ‘Sports and Games.’ Each theme introduces practical vocabulary and conversational phrases.

• Games and Challenges: We use more advanced games and team challenges that encourage friendly competition, collaboration, and problem-solving – all in Mandarin.

• Roleplay and Real-Life Situations: Children practise Mandarin through roleplay, acting out real-life scenarios like ordering food, asking for directions, and talking about hobbies.

• Creative Storytelling and Writing: Older children create their own stories, comics, or posters using Mandarin words and phrases, encouraging creativity and expression.

Focus Areas:

• Conversational Fluency: Asking and answering questions, expressing opinions, and having short conversations.

• Expanded Vocabulary: Topics such as Hobbies, Food and Drink, Weather, Travel, and School.

• Grammar and Sentence Structure: Introducing sentence patterns, verbs, adjectives, and connectors.

• Reading and Writing: Recognising and writing simple Chinese characters.

Why It Works:

• Relevant and Practical: Thematic learning makes Mandarin relevant and practical, connecting language to real-life experiences.

• Confidence and Fluency: Roleplay and conversations help children practise fluency and pronunciation in a supportive setting.

• Creativity and Expression: Creative storytelling allows children to express themselves confidently using Mandarin.

Example:

In a theme about ‘Space Exploration,’ children become astronauts, navigating the galaxy and communicating in Mandarin. They learn words for planets, directions, and commands, practising dialogue as they explore different worlds.

A Fun, Engaging, and Memorable Mandarin Curriculum

At MANDO SCHOOL, our curriculum for Early Years, KS1, and KS2 is designed to make Mandarin fun, relevant, and memorable. We combine story-led adventures, thematic learning, roleplay, games, and creative activities to create an immersive and exciting learning experience for every child.

Our unique approach ensures that children learn without realising they’re learning, building confidence, creativity, and a genuine love for Mandarin. Whether they’re exploring magical worlds, solving riddles, or singing catchy songs, children at MANDO SCHOOL learn Mandarin in the most playful and imaginative way possible.

Are you ready to give your child a magical Mandarin learning experience?

Discover more at www.mandoschool.com and let the Mandarin adventure begin!