Two Sentences a Week: How to Build Conversational Mandarin Skills in KS2 Classes

A Step-by-Step Guide to Introducing Mandarin Conversation Skills to Beginners

Mandarin Chinese is growing in popularity as a modern foreign language in UK primary schools. Its tonal nature and character-based writing system can seem daunting to beginners, but with the right approach, young learners can develop confidence and fluency. One of the most effective strategies for building Mandarin speaking skills in KS2 (Key Stage 2) is the "Two Sentences a Week" method—an incremental, structured approach that makes learning engaging, achievable, and sustainable.

This article outlines a step-by-step guide to implementing this method in KS2 classrooms, offering practical insights for school leadership teams and parents who wish to support their children's language learning journey.

Why Two Sentences a Week?

Many schools struggle with sustaining foreign language learning, especially when resources and curriculum time are limited. The "Two Sentences a Week" approach is designed to fit within the constraints of a busy school timetable while ensuring consistent progress. By focusing on two key sentences each week, students build a functional vocabulary that allows them to engage in basic conversations over time.

This approach:

• Ensures manageable, bite-sized learning goals.

• Reinforces language through repetition and context.

• Builds speaking confidence without overwhelming students.

• Encourages practical language use through interactive activities.

Step 1: Selecting the Right Sentences

Each week should introduce two sentences that follow a logical progression in conversation. The best way to structure this is to start with common greetings and personal introductions before moving into daily routines, classroom phrases, and simple question-and-answer exchanges.

Example Sentence Progression:

1. Week 1: 你好！(Nǐ hǎo!) – Hello! 你叫什么名字？(Nǐ jiào shénme míngzi?) – What is your name?

2. Week 2: 我叫…… (Wǒ jiào…) – My name is… 你几岁？(Nǐ jǐ suì?) – How old are you?

3. Week 3: 我……岁 (Wǒ … suì) – I am … years old. 你好吗？(Nǐ hǎo ma?) – How are you?

4. Week 4: 我很好，谢谢！(Wǒ hěn hǎo, xièxiè!) – I’m very well, thank you! 你喜欢什么颜色？(Nǐ xǐhuan shénme yánsè?) – What colour do you like?

Each pair of sentences builds upon previous knowledge, helping children scaffold their learning and engage in progressively more complex conversations.

Step 2: Teaching the Sentences

To make learning effective, teachers should integrate various techniques to reinforce pronunciation, comprehension, and recall:

1. Listening and Repeating – Begin each lesson with clear pronunciation modelling. Use audio recordings or native-speaking teachers to ensure students hear accurate tones.

2. Role-Playing – Pair students and encourage them to practise the sentences in small conversations.

3. Visual and Physical Cues – Use flashcards, props, and gestures to help reinforce meanings.

4. Songs and Chants – Create simple melodies incorporating the week’s sentences to help with memorisation.

5. Interactive Games – Introduce activities like “Find Your Match” where students must locate someone with the correct response to their sentence.

Step 3: Reinforcing Through Daily Practice

Repetition is key to retention, so finding ways to incorporate the week’s sentences into daily routines is essential. Here are some easy ways to do this:

• Morning Greetings – Start each school day by encouraging students to greet the teacher and peers in Mandarin.

• Classroom Instructions – Use basic Mandarin commands, such as “请坐” (qǐng zuò – please sit down) and “安静” (ānjìng – quiet), reinforcing everyday usage.

• Exit Tickets – Before leaving the classroom, students must use the week’s sentences in a short exchange with the teacher.

Step 4: Assessing and Celebrating Progress

Language learning is most effective when students see tangible progress. Here’s how to track and celebrate their achievements:

• Mini Speaking Challenges – At the end of each week, students demonstrate their learned sentences in front of the class.

• Sticker Charts & Rewards – Create an incentive system where students earn stickers or badges for completing weekly speaking tasks.

• Termly Showcases – Organise a short performance where children engage in dialogues with their peers, demonstrating how much they’ve learned.

How Parents Can Support at Home

Parents play a crucial role in reinforcing language learning outside the classroom. Even without prior knowledge of Mandarin, they can support their child’s progress through:

• Encouraging Daily Practice – Asking their child to teach them the week’s sentences.

• Using Apps and Videos – Free resources like Duolingo, YouTube songs, or BBC Bitesize Mandarin can reinforce learning.

• Practising with Flashcards – Creating simple cards with pinyin and English meanings to reinforce vocabulary.

Conclusion

Introducing Mandarin to KS2 students doesn’t have to be an overwhelming task. The "Two Sentences a Week" method provides a structured yet flexible way to build conversational skills over time. By focusing on small, achievable goals, reinforcing learning through interactive methods, and engaging both teachers and parents in the process, primary schools can successfully integrate Mandarin into their curriculum, giving children a valuable linguistic and cultural advantage for the future.

With consistency, creativity, and encouragement, young learners can develop confidence in speaking Mandarin—one sentence at a time.