Foreign Language Studies

Overview

To learn a foreign language can be hugely beneficial both by way of immediate learning and long term application. At DBIS Mandarin is our selected compulsory language. Mandarin because of it's global significance and because of our place in China.

Our Mandarin Studies department comprises a staff member based within our Kindergarten to work with our Nursery and Reception year students along with Mandarin teachers to meet the Primary and Secondary School needs. We also have the support of education assistants to further enhance the language study programmes. Lessons are held within our two Mandarin classes and include a rich array of oral work, mime and role play, character development and thematic studies.

French and Spanish are offered as options within our Secondary School programme.

Kindergarten

Our Kindergarten Mandarin programme begins in the Nursery year. The lessons are short, frequent and focus on an introduction to Mandarin in a fun and inclusive way. Our Kindergarten classroom teachers participate in the lessons to ensure reinforcement of the new learning is woven into the ongoing classroom programme. All learning at this level is oral.

Primary

Our Primary School lessons build on the introduction given in the Nursery year.  Our Mandarin teachers carefully assess student development and group for instruction to accommodate all learning levels. Our Mandarin curriculum is built around a number of learning themes that allow for the gradual development of oral and written skills. Our teachers look for ways to accommodate a variety of learning styles within their lessons and make the most of opportunities to celebrate festivals and special occasions with our students.

Within each Year level we have a set of core expectations, to view these please click here:  

Year 1 to Year 6 Mandarin Studies Core Expectations of development

Secondary

Our Secondary School language studies build on the strong foundations established throughout the Primary School years.  All Students participate in compulsory Mandarin and French studies in Year 7, moving into optional languages from Year 8 that accommodate combinations of either Mandarin, French or Spanish.  Learning other languages gives our students opportunities to develop their listening, speaking, reading and writing skills and to express themselves with increasing confidence, independence and creativity.

At the Key Stage 3 level there are a number of key concepts addressed within the modern foreign languages programmes of study, these concepts include:

•      Linguistic competence

•      Knowledge about a language

•      Creativity

•      Intercultural understanding

To see the National Modern Foreign Languages Curriculum in detail, please click on the links below:

Please note: Modern Foreign Languages is not a National Curriculum strand at the Key Stage 1 level.  

          Key Stage 2

          Key Stage 3