Mandarin Grade 1 — Heritage Language Class

Course Description

Mandarin Grade 1 is designed for students from Mandarin-speaking families. Students should have at least one Chinese-speaking parent or caregiver and regularly hear Mandarin at home. They should also have completed Mandarin Kindergarten or have equivalent Mandarin-language experience.

Using 《马立平中文》一年级教材 (Ma Liping Chinese, Level 1), this course develops students’ skills in:

• Mandarin listening and speaking

• Chinese character recognition

• Reading

• Beginning writing

Class activities include reading aloud, character and conversation practices, storytelling, children’s songs, games, and cultural activities.

Learning Goals

Aligned with the Ma Liping Chinese Level 1 curriculum, students will:

• Strengthen their understanding and use of everyday spoken Mandarin.

• Speak in complete sentences during guided conversations and classroom activities.

• Recognize and understand the Chinese characters introduced in the Level 1 curriculum.

• Read learned characters, words, sentences, rhymes, and short texts.

• Build vocabulary and use learned words in meaningful contexts.

• Retell familiar stories and recite selected textbook passages.

• Develop basic Chinese writing skills, including correct strokes and stroke order.

• Improve reading fluency through frequent practice and cumulative review.

• Learn about Chinese traditions, celebrations, stories, and cultural values.

• Develop independent study habits and confidence in using Mandarin.

Instructional Approach

The Ma Liping curriculum emphasizes learning Chinese characters through meaningful reading, repeated exposure, and cumulative review. Classroom instruction reinforces the textbook through storytelling, visual materials, conversation, movement, games, and age-appropriate writing activities.

Regular attendance, homework completion, and family support are important for student success. Families are encouraged to review assigned materials with their children and continue speaking Mandarin at home.