Want your child to learn Mandarin in Singapore? Many international schools have options for students who would like to pick up French, German, Spanish or Chinese as a second or third language. Find out what a student can expect from Mandarin lessons and learning a language at these schools.
Bilingual options at the Canadian International School
French or Mandarin lessons at CIS
Every Canadian International School (CIS) student studies an additional language starting from pre-kindergarten (three years). Children from pre-kindergarten to Grade 6 can elect to study an additional language – French or Chinese – in the English programme or enrol in the bilingual programmes – Chinese-English or French-English – where students are immersed in both languages for equal amounts of time.
In Grades 7 to 10, language choices include Spanish as well as dedicated Chinese and French bilingual pathways for students to continue their bilingual education. Students in the IB Diploma Programme can choose from three language pathways and they can study Language & Literature courses in two languages – English and Chinese or French. They graduate with a bilingual diploma, continue one of the secondary additional languages or study one of over 53 home languages via Pamoja.
CIS also offers an after-school paid language programme to students in Grades 1 to 12. Languages change annually with the demands of the community. Children whose first language isn’t English are supported in CIS’s English Language Learner programme and develop their English literacy skills at their own pace.
An inside look
The school says that its highly successful Chinese-English and French-English bilingual programmes are fully aligned with the IB Primary Years Programme. They include two qualified teachers per class: one native English speaker and one native French or Chinese speaker. CIS adds that over the last six years its students have outperformed all other students in Singapore in the Youth Chinese Test.
Since research shows that speaking a language without understanding its culture has very little real-world value, students also learn about the culture of the language they are learning. They also have opportunities to visit and immerse themselves in those countries and cultures. CIS students have been on excursion trips to Paris and China, for example, where they see their classroom learnings come to life. These trips also focus on community outreach and see the students helping some of the locals.
Hear from a student:
“My French was limited when I first joined the French-English Bilingual Programme, but now I can speak fluently with my friends and teachers, both in and outside of class! I enjoy gaining cultural insights through the French language, and my learnings will help me communicate more easily in francophone countries.” – Emilia M., grade 6
Lakeside Campus, 7 Jurong West Street 41
cis.edu.sg
Mandarin lessons at Dulwich College (Singapore)
Chinese as a second language at Dulwich
One of the core Guiding Statements at Dulwich is Intercultural Understanding. This is where the school aims to explore, understand and respect both a student’s own and others’ backgrounds and cultures. Language is a key element of helping the school achieve this Guiding Statement.
As such, children in Dulwich College (Singapore) Kindergarten (DUCKS) are immersed in a dual-language environment from Nursery to Year 2. This is where “purposeful play is combined with a focus on learning to read and beginning to write in both English and Mandarin”. It’s made possible by a Chinese co-teacher who collaborates with the class teacher to deliver a dual-language programme which covers all aspects of the curriculum. This includes interactions, storytelling and role-playing to develop the children’s listening, speaking and literacy skills in Mandarin. Daily Mandarin lessons in Junior School (Year 3 to Year 6) build upon the foundations of the dual-language approach in DUCKS. This prepares Dulwich students for success in academic qualifications.
An inside look
The College offers three language pathways, ensuring that students at all levels are challenged appropriately. Integral to the Junior School curriculum is a student’s understanding of both the culture that surrounds the language and the traditions that underpin it. These are gained through opportunities such as art, music, drama, dance, stories and celebrations of major festivals.
All Senior School students study Mandarin lessons and a European language – Spanish, French or German – until the end of Year 8. They go on to study the languages of their choice in IGCSE and IB. Year 7 to 13 students also have a First Language French and First Language Japanese programme as part of the curriculum. The school also supports students to achieve the Bilingual IB Diploma, which includes First Language Korean, Spanish, French and Japanese. All First Languages can be studied in the IB Diploma and the school welcomes students from all language backgrounds.
Hear from a parent:
“The kids enjoy learning a language their parents don’t know! But it’s really all about the teachers who transform learning a challenging language into an enjoyable and stimulating experience. They use creative methods to keep the kids engaged, making each lesson fun and interactive. As a result, the children are enthusiastic about their language classes and eagerly look forward to each session, fostering a love for learning.” – Mary N
1 Bukit Batok West Avenue 8
6890 1003 | singapore.dulwich.org
Language programmes at Singapore American School
Spanish, French and Mandarin lessons at SAS
Singapore American School (SAS) students are able to study languages including Chinese, Spanish and French as part of its school language programme. Chinese and Spanish are available from the early years while French is offered from sixth grade. Students have language opportunities integrated into every moment, allowing them to gain high-level mastery of the language and become engaged global citizens.
The school also has a Chinese Immersion programme to enable students to learn Mandarin in a Singapore school. It operates using a sliding scale model, starting with full immersion in pre-kindergarten with an 80-20 instruction model to a 75-25 instruction model in kindergarten and first grade. Around 75 to 80 percent of a student’s day is delivered in Chinese through core classes, while lessons in English, music, art, and PE constitute 20 to 25 percent of English instruction. A number of parents who have taken their families to China have great tales to tell of their five- and six-year-olds helping with bookings, ordering meals and more!
An inside look
The immersion classes participate in the same annual excursions as the other grade level classes; kindergarten classes visit a nearby nursing home as part of their service learning. All classes will visit Chinatown just before Chinese New Year, as part of Social Studies and learning about important festivals. Opportunities abound in after school activities including calligraphy, paper cutting, wushu, martial arts classes and even Junior Journalists where students produce their own trilingual magazine in English, Chinese and Spanish.
Hear from a parent:
“We didn’t set out to look for a Chinese immersion programme for our younger kids but after seeing it in action, we were very impressed. It’s amazing to see our First Grader read chapter books in Mandarin and write her own realistic fiction series using Chinese characters.” – Aisha Oravec
40 Woodlands Street 41
6363 3403 | sas.edu.sg
Daily language lessons at Stamford American International School
English, Spanish and Mandarin lessons at Stamford American
Stamford American makes learning a language possible for children as young as 18 months through its World Language Program. The school offers daily instruction in three of the world’s most widely spoken languages – Mandarin, Spanish and English. Every child in the school’s Early Learning Village and Elementary School receives daily Spanish or Mandarin lessons as part of the language curriculum. In Middle school and High school, these classes become more intensive 80-minute sessions every other day. Students can learn at their own pace and are assessed regularly to track their progress and set learning goals.
An inside look
The school has expanded its language offerings by introducing Japanese and Korean courses for Middle and High School students. This provides opportunities for both students with Japanese or Korean as their home language and new learners to deepen their language skills, catering to a broader spectrum of linguistic interests and backgrounds. The school also offers English Language Learning Pathways and English as an Additional Language programmes to students. Pathways include the innovative Preparatory Course for Secondary School programme as well as the Foundational Academic English Program.
Hear from an educator and a student:
“Our offerings equip students with valuable linguistic skills, enhancing their global competence and opening doors to more opportunities around the world.” – Rena Brown, Director of English as an Additional Language (EAL) and Bilingual
“Japanese is a language with unique sensibilities so there are many different opinions and ways of thinking. What I enjoy most about this class is sharing ideas with classmates.” – Amane, grade 10 student in Japanese language course
1 Woodleigh Lane
6653 2949 | sais.edu.sg
Learning languages at Tanglin Trust School
Nurturing a love of language learning at Tanglin
In the Infant and Junior schools, all children have Mandarin lessons twice a week and a linguist-in-residence programme operates in Nursery and Reception. The focus is on nurturing a love of language learning and encouraging children to develop confidence when expressing themselves in Mandarin. This moves on to reading and writing as they move through Years 1 and 2. The school also offers French, Mandarin, Japanese and Hindi Mother Tongue programmes for Infants.
In the Senior School, students can learn French, Spanish and Mandarin. All are popular and many students choose to pursue them right up to IB and A Level. In Middle and Upper Schools, the emphasis is on acquiring language and enabling students to use it. In the Sixth Form, language becomes the vehicle for further study that covers literature, arts, politics, history and more. Tanglin students can also study French, Spanish and Mandarin at mother tongue or second language level during language lesson time. Other languages – for example Japanese, Dutch, Hindi, Urdu – can also be studied outside of curriculum time.
An inside look
Cultural appreciation appears at Tanglin in the form of trips abroad, a variety of exchange programmes, as well as Beyond Language projects and cross-curricular activities and events that bring learning a language to life. The Languages department has a rich and varied calendar of events for students of all ages. These include the annual French debate and short story writing competition, Y8 Chinese Speaking competition and a Classical Symposium. During Languages Week last year, students had the opportunity to experience Chinese dance, Chinese calligraphy, a cheese tasting workshop, Flamenco classes, a visit to a Spanish restaurant, as well as beginners’ lessons in Spanish, Catalan, Urdu and Portuguese.
Hear from an educator:
“I love the passion and energy which our students bring to both the classroom and our varied language events. In addition, I work with an amazing team of teachers and leaders from across the globe, and it’s very exciting to collaborate with such a diverse and ambitious group of colleagues who all draw on their different experiences when contributing to the Language faculty at Tanglin.” – David Sheppard, Head of Languages at Tanglin
95 Portsdown Road
6778 0771 | tts.edu.sg
Chinese as a second language at Kinderland Academy & Preschool
Kinderland kids learn Mandarin in Singapore daily
Established in 1978, Kinderland offers quality infant care and bilingual preschool education to children aged two months to six years. Kinderland emphasises developing proficiency in both English and Chinese languages. The Chinese Integrated Curriculum benefits from the expertise and resources gathered from Kinderland’s extensive network of over 20 centres in China and the school’s affiliation with Beijing Normal University. The school says that the programme is in line with the proficiency benchmarks set by HSK International for the Chinese language, and all Kinderland Chinese teachers are HSK-certified. The pedagogical approach synergises the English and Chinese curriculums; exploring similar themes in both languages fosters a comprehensive learning experience that embraces a wider cultural and linguistic context.
An inside look
The school’s programme for Mandarin lessons is infused with engaging elements such as theme songs, rhymes and children’s literature. These ensure that the process of learning Mandarin in Singapore is both captivating and enjoyable. Complementing these are hands-on activities that directly align with these themes to provide a more tangible and relatable learning experience.
In August 2019, Kinderland Preschool @ Marine Parade launched Japanese-English bilingual classes. Tailored specifically for Japanese children aged two to five years, the classes are led by an experienced native Japanese teacher. The curriculum of these classes includes teaching about Japanese customs and maintaining a strong affinity with Japanese culture, festivals and events. In addition to learning about Japanese festivals, children also learn about local festivals celebrated in Singapore, offering holistic linguistic and cultural learning journeys.
Hear from a parent:
“We love the multidisciplinary curriculum. The kids have access to a computer lab, music programme, extracurriculars and daily Chinese lessons. The Chinese teachers are incredibly encouraging and supportive of their learning. We’ve also been impressed at how much the boys are learning with their maths and reading skills.” – Heather and Jeff Doherty
Kinderland Academy & Preschool
15 locations island-wide
kinderland.com.sg
ELFA Preschool’s English and Mandarin lessons
Chinese as a second language at ELFA
ELFA Preschool has a well-rounded language programme focusing on English and Mandarin lessons, with a significant emphasis on the latter. The comprehensive educational approach to learning Mandarin in Singapore exposes ELFA children to about 800 Chinese characters by the completion of Kindergarten Two. This is made possible through a collaboration with distinguished advisors including esteemed Professor Zhu Shi Yuan, former Head of the Early Childhood Department at Beijing Normal University.
The school’s curriculum is thoughtfully designed around a thematic and story-based approach. It simplifies complex concepts into engaging tales that captivate children’s minds, helping them grasp ideas with ease. Rather than following a traditional approach, ELFA’s language programme focuses on interactive and fun-filled learning experiences. One of these is Chinese Speech and Drama, an initiative that boosts language skills and also self-confidence in the school’s children.
An inside look
ELFA engages its learners in Chinese folklore and stories as well as weekly discussions on moral values. Through these immersive activities, children gain a heightened awareness of righteousness, contributing positively to their character development. The Chinese-inspired Art Programme encourages self-expression, while also instilling an appreciation for traditional art forms, nurturing creativity and cultural awareness, and fostering creativity among their learners.
Instead of solely focusing on the language when students learn Mandarin in Singapore, ELFA aims to foster well-rounded children through their school’s unique High-Order-Thinking-Math programme. This programme brings mathematical concepts to life, promoting advanced cognitive skills through a fun and engaging way
Hear from a parent:
“After transferring to ELFA Hougang, my son started to show interest in school as well as Chinese as a second language. ELFA’s curriculum has helped Calen to learn languages in a fun way. With guidance and support given by the teachers, he has improved a lot. He has started to share with us the activities he does in school. Teachers don’t only teach the children but they also treat them like their own. My child always enters ELFA with a smile on his face.” – Sandy
Three locations island-wide
elfapreschools.com/singapore
Learning a language at International French School (Singapore)
Learning a language at IFS
The International French School (Singapore) (IFS) offers various language streams starting from early education. These include English+ and International streams with a focus on English, to a European stream with extra classes in Spanish and German, including Latin, or a Mandarin stream. These streams cater to students’ proficiency levels and interests and can be changed based on their educational development and focus.
IFS offers Français Langue de Scolarisation (French Language Schooling) from Grande Section (KG2) to CM2 (Grade 5) to gradually integrate students into the French curriculum. English as a Foreign Language is available from CP (Grade 1) to CM2. For non-French speakers, the school’s French Passerelle is an immersive French language support programme for 6ème and 5ème (Grade 6 and 7). It’s designed to gradually integrate them into the French curriculum. The school’s curriculum is rooted in the French national curriculum and places a significant emphasis on language acquisition so that IES graduates are equipped with a competitive edge in life. Students can obtain certifications validated by internationally recognised organisations such as Cervantes Institute for Spanish, Goethe Institute for German, and YCT and HSK for Mandarin.
An inside look
One of the opportunities IFS students in the French schooling system has is the ADN-AEFE Exchange Programme. It facilitates students in Seconde (Grade 10) to learn in another school in another country within the AEFE (Agency for French Education Abroad) network. For several weeks, students are immersed in a new family environment, school, cultural and linguistic space. This enables them to enrich their learning. It’s named in honour of the pioneering female explorer, Alexandra David-Néel (1868–1969) who was a writer, lecturer, Sanskrit grammarian and explorer among other things; her life and personality embodies the spirit of the programme.
Hear from a student:
“I had the chance to participate in the ADN-AEFE exchange programme and did my exchange in Sitges, a lovely little seaside town near Barcelona, Spain. The host family welcomed me warmly and showed me around the entire city. I got to see the cultural differences both in daily life and in school practices and practise my Spanish. This experience has greatly increased my independence, allowed me to learn a language and discover a new culture as well.” – Océane, Grade 10
3000 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3
6805 0000 | ifs.edu.sg
Mandarin lessons at EtonHouse International School
Two programmes of Mandarin lessons at EtonHouse
EtonHouse has nurtured cohorts of fluent bilingual speakers, many of whom are non-native Mandarin speakers. The school offers different tracks in English-Mandarin bilingual education from preschool to high school to suit different learning styles and goals. To help students build a strong Mandarin foundation in preschool, the preschool offers two programmes of Mandarin lessons. The bilingual programme has two qualified teachers – one Mandarin speaker and one English speaker – delivering it. This offers children the opportunity to listen and communicate in both languages over time. The EtonHouse ZhongHua Full Mandarin Immersion Programme is an intensive Mandarin language education in the early years that exposes children to the language for an extended period in school every day. This exclusive Mandarin-speaking environment, which many do not have at home, is essential in giving children a sustainable language foundation from a very young age.
Moving into Primary, children can join EtonHouse Broadrick’s award-winning Mandarin Immersion Pathway. It’s designed to cultivate truly bilingual, culturally competent and internationally minded students by Year 6. This pathway is highly commended by WhichSchoolAdvisor (Singapore) for the Best Bilingual Programme Award and was awarded Best Language Programme (Gold) at HoneyKids Singapore Education Award 2023.
The curriculum places equal emphasis on developing essential reading, writing and speaking skills, as well as helping children grasp the broader applications of language. EtonHouse students achieved a passing rate of 100% in the Youth Chinese Test (YCT), with students scoring an average of 84% for YCT4 (the highest level offered). The school notes that this is a strong testament to the programme’s effectiveness. With the strong foundation built, students can then continue to pursue Mandarin as a subject in the IGCSE and International A-Levels.
An inside look
Besides Mandarin, selected EtonHouse campuses also offer Japanese and Hindi for preschool and primary. Spanish is offered at the Orchard campus from Secondary and above and can be taken as an IGCSE and International A-Levels subject. The school also has a successful English as an Additional Language programme to support non-native speakers to integrate into an English-medium environment.
Hear from a student:
“The best part about the Mandarin Immersion Pathway was hosting the Mid-Autumn festival assembly in Chinese. Our class performed kung fu and a dragon dance during Chinese New Year, and my parents were impressed. I can now communicate fluently with native speakers, write long letters in Chinese, and scored well in my YCT4 test!” – Aryaman, Year 6
Three international schools and 10 preschools islandwide
6746 3333 | etonhouse.edu.sg
Learning languages at Chatsworth International School
Weekly French and Mandarin lessons at Chatsworth
Chatsworth encourages students to develop an appreciation of literature in its many forms through language and learning about language. Kindergarten 1 students receive one weekly lesson in Mandarin, K2 students receive one weekly lesson in both Mandarin and French. From Years 1 to 6, students choose to study either Mandarin or French. The school aims to provide as much diversity in language instruction as possible, allowing students to inquire in their mother tongue and aspire to multilingualism. The mother tongue programme at secondary school provides students with an opportunity to study their mother tongue within the existing school system. To join the programme, students studying their mother tongue must possess a high degree of skills and accuracy in their language. Chatsworth supports them by providing logistics, teaching space, training of tutors and time within the school’s timetable (for non-EAL students).
Framed by the MYP and DP principles and requirements, the school’s mother tongue programme is aligned with progressive objectives, skills and understandings to address students’ language and cognitive development. It’s an inquiry-based, project-based and concept-driven programme that allows students and external teachers, who are mother tongue tutors, to decide on the content of the units while following the required skills and understandings.
An inside look
Language ‘LAh’ is an annual event celebrating Language Acquisition at the secondary school. Students of various year levels impressed the audience by reciting poems, singing songs and telling stories in languages such as French, Mandarin and Spanish.
Hear from students:
“With 100 students in the school’s mother tongue programme, we’re a kaleidoscope of 16 languages – Afrikaans, Cantonese, Bahasa, Mandarin, Dutch, French, Filipino, German, Italian, Japanese/ Korean, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Vietnamese and Portuguese. We’re proud of our bilingual/multilingual heritage, fostering unity and cultural pride. Here’s to celebrating diversity in language and community!” – Mother Tongue students, a quote from Yearbook 2023/24
72 Bukit Tinggi Road
6463 3201 | chatsworth.com.sg
English-Chinese bilingual learning at St. Joseph’s Institution International
Immersion programme to learn Mandarin in Singapore at SJI International
SJI International Elementary School introduced its English-Chinese Bilingual Programme in January 2024, offering Prep 1 through Grade 2 students an immersive dual-language experience. The programme features dynamic instruction in both English and Chinese, fostering early bilingualism. Parents considering SJI International Elementary School can now choose between two distinct educational paths: the Mainstream Programme, emphasising English with Mandarin enrichment, and the Bilingual Programme, offering a deeply integrated curriculum across both languages, ensuring a balanced and comprehensive education.
An inside look
The Bilingual Programme follows a Two-Way Immersion education model, with equal emphasis on both languages. Through alternating language instruction, students develop their intercultural competence, thinking and analytical skills in addition to exposure to global perspectives and ideas. Eligible students in Grades 5 and 6 may opt to study Spanish, providing foundational language skills and cultural exploration.
Upon transitioning to High School, the school also features the Home Language Programme. It’s designed for students whose native language isn’t part of the regular curriculum, those with strong cultural or linguistic ties to another language, or for students studying an MOE Mother Tongue-in lieu language.
The school places an emphasis on Additive Bilingualism by supporting diverse linguistic backgrounds including French, German, Japanese, Korean and Vietnamese. It also integrates experiential learning opportunities such as cultural events and language-focused activities, with the aim of enhancing linguistic proficiency and cultural connections throughout the students’ educational journey.
Hear from a parent:
“I love how deep and thoughtful the teachers are about the learning process, building routines and discipline, and providing plenty of opportunities for children to relate, reflect, and live through the experiences. My child’s progress has been very apparent. He became more responsible and serious about his studies. Most importantly, he’s a lot more reflective and conscious about his behaviour now. The knowledge sinks in and the character is being built. A deep thank you to the SJI International teachers for delivering ‘the joy of learning’! The kids are certainly learning and there’s a lot of joy in the process.” – Marina Surzhenko
490 Thomson Road
6353 9383 | sji-international.com.sg
Learning a language at the Swiss School in Singapore
German or French streams at the Swiss School in Singapore
The school has a German and a French stream. The German stream follows the Lehrplan 21, which harmonises the curriculum and the goals of all German-speaking cantons in Switzerland. The French stream follows the Plan d’Études Romand, which defines the global project of student education adopted by all French-speaking cantons in Switzerland.
Early Childhood children are taught in English with introductions in German or French when learning a language. From Kindergarten onwards, the main language is either German or French, together with English. In Class 5, German stream students learn French and French stream students learn German. Mandarin lessons are offered as an extracurricular activity from Playgroup II/Kindergarten onwards for those who want to learn Mandarin in Singapore.
An inside look
Swiss School in Singapore guides children to learn and work independently according to their age. Students in the Early Childhood classes experience a play-based approach with focused topics that combine both child-initiated and teacher-supported learning. There’s a mixture of outdoor, art, music, story time and movement (including sport swimming), and other sensory experiences that encourage interaction between the child and their peers or environment. In Primary level, children experience meaningful learning by actively setting goals, creating their own ideas and working out solutions to achieve their aims and objectives.
The school marks events such as Deepavali, St Nicholas and Chinese New Year, and celebrates Advent before Christmas break and Summer Night before Summer break. P3/4 and P3/5 have an annual class camp either to Indonesia or Malaysia.
Hear from a parent:
“What a journey Mia had in less than a year! When she started 1st Grade, she couldn’t read or write a word in German. Thanks to the incredible support and teaching approach to learning a language, she’s now rocking it as a passionate reader and writer. Big thanks to the Swiss School for making this transformation possible.” – Marina Sologubova
38 Swiss Club Road
6468 2117 | swiss-school.edu.sg/en
Want to know more? Here’s our huge guide to international schools in Singapore and the best things to do in Singapore with the family. If you’re planning to live in Singapore or you’re new to our sunny island, be sure to read the digital edition of our latest City Guide.
