Mandarin Novice 1 (N1)
Full Year
This course is designed for students with no prior or very limited mandarin experience. Starting from the novice level, students will gradually build familiarity of the language by exploring pinyin, simple conversational practice on topics selected to build basic skills, such as greetings, self and family, and routine activities related to our daily lives. Cultural elements are embedded in the units to foster cultural competence.
Primary text: Easy Steps to Chinese 1
Students will:
- Apply writing of 100 characters with additional 30 for recognition
- Develop an understanding of the Chinese Pinyin and Chinese character system
- Conduct simple situational conversation or presentation, introducing oneself, family members and friends, daily routine, transportation etc.
- Read in familiar context an inventory of approximately 150 characters
- Research and understand cultural elements of Chinese family and Chinese Culture
Some sample questions the students will explore during this course:
- What are the fundamental differences between Chinese language and English?
- How do I use Mandarin to talk about my family and myself?
Prerequisites/notes: This is a beginner’s class that does not require any prior exposure to Mandarin. There is no mid-year intake in the 2nd semester.
This course will be taught concurrently with Mandarin Novice 2.
Contact Ms. Daisy Shen dshen@hkis.edu.hk
Mandarin Novice 2 (N2)
Full Year
This course is for students who have had little experience with mandarin as a second language. Students who can understand basic contents in short and very familiar topics. It targets to develop to mid-Novice proficiency levels, topics included in this course are personal interests and hobbies, self-care related such as weather, seasons, food and dining, etc.
Cultural elements are embedded in the units of studies to foster a higher level of cultural competence.
Primary text: Easy steps to Chinese 2
Students will:
- Apply writing of 180 characters with additional N1 characters and recognition of 50 additional characters
- Focus on communication skills relating to expressing preference, questioning people and confirming time and place
- Create narratives, letters and dialogues relating to the focused topics
- Research and understand cultural elements associated with Chinese food
Some sample questions the students will explore during this course:
- How do I use Mandarin to share my interests?
- How do I use Mandarin to ask questions on weather?
Prerequisites/notes: Successful completion of MSL 1(N1) or equivalent as determined by placement test.
Contact Ms Daisy Shen dshen@hkis.edu.hk
Mandarin Novice 3 (N3)
Full Year
This course is for students who have had a few years of experience with mandarin as a second language. Students who display skills in handling basic everyday tasks. This course aims to develop high Novice proficiency in Chinese, selected topics focus on the community such as schools, living environments, and personal preferences and health.
Cultural elements are embedded in the units of studies to foster a higher level of cultural competence.
Primary text: Easy steps to Chinese 3
Students will:
- Apply writing of 250 characters with additional N1 and N2 characters and recognition of 70 additional characters
- Engage in speaking Mandarin 90% of class time
- Conduct simple situational dialogues related to seasons, occupations and hobbies, neighborhood, body and health and etc.
- Read and comprehend simple authentic materials, e.g. a teacher's excuse note, a simple letter from a friend, etc.
- Note and letter writing skills for a specified purpose on a related topic
- Differences between Chinese and western education system
Some sample questions the students will explore during this course:
- How do you describe different weather conditions in each season?
- How do you talk about symptoms and give suggestions when you get sick?
- What do you wear and shop for different season, places and occupations?
- What subjects do you take in school and why?
- How is school facilities impact your learning?
Prerequisites/notes: Successful completion of G6 N2 or equivalent as determined by placement test .
Contact Ms Daisy Shen dshen@hkis.edu.hk
Mandarin Novice 4 (N4)
Full Year
This course is to prepare students for the Intermediate Level of language proficiency. Topics are widened and language functions are deepened in this course to deal with practical real-life related scenarios, such as health, school-related, traveling, etc. Reading and writing skills are developed through authentic materials and a variety of passages including short stories and informational texts.
Cultural elements are embedded in the units of studies to foster a higher level of cultural competence.
Primary text: Easy steps to Chinese 3 – 4
Students will:
- Apply writing of approx. 250 characters, including N1-3 characters and recognition of 100 additional characters
- Reinforce Mandarin speaking 90% and listening skills in the classroom
- Practice reading and writing continuously
- Conduct situational dialogues related to recommend restaurants, school clubs, transportation, neighborhood, giving/asking for directions and distances, booking plane tickets.
- Read and comprehend simple, authentic materials, e.g. following a simple direction related to transportation and routing, a simple letter from a friend about daily routine, etc.
- Share daily routine at home and school and favorite activities.
- Different opinions about professions in different cultures.
Some sample questions the students will explore during this course:
- What makes a good restaurant?
- How do you deal with issues regarding your neighborhood?
- How have the school activities affected your school life?
- Do you think traveling is a good lifestyle?
Prerequisites/notes: Successful completion of Grade 6 Novice 4 or Grade 7 Novice 3 or equivalent as determined by placement test.
Contact Ms. Daisy Shen dshen@hkis.edu.hk
Mandarin Intermediate 1/2 (IM1/2)
Full Year
This course is for students who have had many years of experience with mandarin as a second language. Students who display skills in handling everyday tasks with some complexity. This course aims to develop Mid-Intermediate proficiency in Chinese, selected topics focus on covers on School Life, Dining Out, Community and Travelling.
Cultural elements are embedded in the units of studies to foster a higher level of cultural competence.
Primary text: Easy steps to Chinese 4 - 5
Students will:
- Apply writing of approximately 450 characters including N1-4 characters and recognition of 100 additional characters
- Talk about their school life
- Understand and interpret food culture
- Make preparations before and after traveling
- Describe sickness and write a sick note
- Express personal opinions on pros and cons on an issue
- Share things happened at home
- Tell personal expectations
Some sample questions the students will explore during this course:
- What makes your school life different? And what are you going to share with others?
- How is Chinese food different from Western food?
- How do I use Mandarin Chinese skills to travel and live in China?
- How do I describe the sickness symptoms to a doctor?
Prerequisites/notes: Successful completion of N4 or equivalent as determined by placement test.
Contact Ms. Daisy Shen dshen@hkis.edu.hk
Mandarin Intermediate 3/4 (IM 3/4)
Full Year
This is a 2-year combined course with IM3 and IM4 targeting intermediate high level of language proficiency with increased emphasis on literacy. This course will allow students to solidify their skills for the next proficiency level while providing flexibility for the ones who can reach the target in one year.
Cultural elements are embedded in the units of studies to foster a high level of cultural competence.
Primary text: Text binder with supplement materials
Students will:
- Describe the characters in a story responding too major events and challenges.
- Compare and contrast the most important points.
- Ask and answer a range of conversations by linking their comments to the remarks of others.
- Write a sequence of instructions.
- Tell a story of recount an experience
Some sample questions the students will explore during this course:
- What are the differences between neighbours and relatives?
- What can we learn about a culture through food ?
- How the invention of media and modern communication provides a productive life?
- How do you make travel arrangements on the internet?
Prerequisites/notes: Successful completion of Grade 6 IM2/3or equivalent as determined by placement test.
Contact Ms. Daisy Shen dshen@hkis.edu.hk
Mandarin Intermediate 5 /Advanced 1 (IM5/ AD1)
Full Year
This 2-year course is aiming for students to solidify the Advanced Level of language proficiency. This course will focus on advanced literacy and sustaining high-level language discourse such as analysis, metaphor, comparison, and critics.
Cultural elements are embedded in the units of studies to foster a high level of cultural competence.
Primary text: Chinese Language for Secondary School High Chinese (1A&1B)
Students will:
- Demonstrating solid understanding of concepts/skills
- Asking questions to clarify a task or goal
- Identifying and summarizing the problem/question
- Keeping an open mind, perceiving and examining things differently and from different points of view
Some sample questions the students will explore during this course:
- What are the main identity challenges ethnic Chinese usually have and why?
- How do Chinese people share some similar food traditions, and how do these traditions reflect Chinese culture and society?
- What are the essential elements of a good mini novel?
- What is the most important lifestyle change we can make to be more sustainable?
Prerequisites/notes: Successful completion of Grade 6 IM4 or equivalent as determined by placement test.
Contact Ms. Daisy Shen dshen@hkis.edu.hk
Spanish Novice 2
Full year (Every other day)
This course is designed for students who have been exposed with Spanish as a second language for at least one year. Students will develop and solidify basic everyday language functions. It targets to develop novice-mid level of language proficiency. Topics in this course spiral through personal information, expanding more on the self, ordering at a restaurant, daily routine and ending the year with the sports unit. Cultural elements are embedded in the units of studies to foster a higher level of cultural competence.
Students will:
- Be in a learning environment where Spanish is used increasingly as the language of instruction and communication.
- Review vocabulary for introducing themselves, describing family and friends, hobbies, food and school life.
- Reinforce introductory verbs: ser, tener, estar, gustar and present tense verbs.
- Learn vocabulary and new grammar structures to be able to order food and express preferences due to dietary restrictions.
- Begin to connect previous knowledge on vocabulary and grammar structures with new content.
- Begin to understand their native tongue at a deeper level through studying a foreign language.
- Dive a little deeper into the diversity of the Spanish-speaking world through food, routines and sports.
Prerequisites/notes: This is an intermediate class that requires a minimum of one year of exposure to Spanish. Successful completion of Spanish A (N1) at HKIS or equivalent as determined by placement test.
Contact Ms. Cecilia Michán cmichan@hkis.edu.hk
Spanish Novice 3
Full year (Every Other Day)
This course is for students who have had at least two years of experience with Spanish as a second language. Students who display skills in handling basic everyday tasks. This course aims to develop high novice proficiency in Spanish. Topics in this course spiral through more about the self, preparing a Spanish food dish, neighborhood/city life and ending the year with vacations in a Spanish-speaking country.
Cultural elements are embedded in the units of studies to foster a higher level of cultural competence.
Students will:
- Be in a learning environment where Spanish is used increasingly as the language of instruction and communication.
- Review vocabulary for introducing themselves, describing family and friends, hobbies, food and school life.
- Reinforce introductory verbs: ser, tener, estar, gustar and present tense verbs.
- Learn vocabulary and new grammar structures to be able to prepare a food dish in the kitchen, describe their neighborhood and how to offer suggestions while on vacation in a Spanish-speaking country.
- Begin to connect previous knowledge on vocabulary and grammar structures with new content.
- Begin to understand their native tongue at a deeper level through studying a foreign language.
- Dive a little deeper into the diversity of the Spanish-speaking world through food, neighborhood layouts and tourist attractions.
Prerequisites/notes: Successful completion of Spanish B (N2) or equivalent as determined by placement test.
Contact: Ms. Cecilia Michán cmichan@hkis.edu.hk