At YWIES Tongxiang, we firmly believe in the unique brilliance and boundless potential within every student. Their dedication, academic excellence, and achievements continually cultivate our vibrant educational environment.

This belief fuels our "Student Spotlight Series," designed to celebrate the diverse talents, resilience, and remarkable growth journeys of our students. Through inspiring stories, honest interviews, and memorable moments, we invite you to witness their transformation in academics, innovation, service, and character.

Join us in celebrating the extraordinary growth and limitless possibilities of our students!

From Classroom to Stage: 

How CAL Students Bring Chinese to Life

Our Secondary assembly buzzed with crisp, fluent Chinese dialogue and vibrant laughter, revealing a dynamic learning environment. This wasn't merely a performance, but a powerful showcase of how our CAL (Chinese as an Additional Language) students expertly apply their classroom learning to real-life situations. In this feature, we'll explore their "learning by doing" approach, uncovering how they truly bring Chinese from textbooks and lessons into daily life, transforming it into a vibrant language for authentic, unhindered expression.

Immersive Chinese 

Through Situational Practice

For our Grade 6-7 CAL students, Chinese learning transforms from dry grammar into an engaging exploration. The curriculum centers on daily life scenarios, fostering practical, real-world language mastery.

Grade 6 students Bianca Su Bozdag and Lia Scarpella, along with Grade 7 student Luke Paul Whiteoak, perfectly illustrated this with two situational performances: "Classroom Dialogue" and "Shopping Scenario." In "Classroom Dialogue," they seamlessly used daily greetings, accurately expressed time, and flexibly formed questions, creating a fluent and structured conversation akin to genuine teacher-student interaction.

Even more impressive was their "Shopping Scenario" performance. From politely asking "How much is this?" to requesting "I want this apple, thank you!" and selecting various foods, the students vividly linked practical dialogues for inquiry, purchase, and selection. Luke shared, "Simulating shopping not only taught me practical Chinese for buying things but also insights into Chinese communication habits – it was both interesting and useful!"

Ms Echo Wu, Chinese Secondary Lead, highlighted their teaching philosophy: "Our aim is for students to confidently speak Chinese. By simulating daily life scenarios, they master vocabulary and learn contextual expression." She emphasized this practical approach is crucial for foreign students, allowing them to overcome language barriers and use Chinese as a real-world tool to connect with the world, applicable in shops and restaurants.

Personal Expression: 

"About Me"

While the Grade 6-7 performances focused on practical communication, Grade 9 student Leonardo Scarpella (Dodo)'s "About Me" project demonstrates a deeper level of personal expression and comprehensive Chinese application. Dodo fluently introduced his family, birthday, hobbies, and favorite food using a visually rich presentation.

Dodo's presentation transcended a simple self-introduction. His precise Chinese writing reflected excellent habits and attention to detail. Facing the audience, his confident, fluent, and natural delivery underscored years of effort. He skillfully used precise vocabulary, adjusted his pace, and employed appropriate body language, making his account highly engaging. 

Integrated Teaching Philosophy:

'Learning by Doing'

These commendable results stem from the CAL curriculum's profound "learning by doing" philosophy. Chinese teachers, acting as guides and scenario creators rather than mere instructors, meticulously design courses. This approach frees students from rote memorization, allowing them to directly experience the language's appeal through active engagement.

Through role-plays and project presentations, students immediately apply new vocabulary and structures. Bianca and Lia confirmed: "'Learning by doing' is incredibly useful; it reduces our fear of mistakes and encourages us to speak more actively. Each successful exchange is hugely motivating!" This method significantly boosts interest and overcomes the common "know but hesitate to speak" challenge in second language learning. The satisfaction of being understood and communicating effectively in Chinese becomes a powerful impetus for deeper study.

Beyond the Stage: 

Extending Learning to Life

This exhibition transcended a mere performance; it was a successful showcase of learning, affirming and motivating our students. Stepping from rehearsal to stage, they not only honed language skills but also built confidence, teamwork, and stage presence.

For them, Chinese is no longer confined to textbooks but integrated into their understanding and expression of the world. Each segment—from classroom dialogues to shopping simulations and personal stories—bridges academic knowledge with real life. These "classroom to stage" experiences will be invaluable, empowering them to confidently engage with the Chinese-speaking world and friends in the future.

This CAL student exhibition vividly illustrates the essence of language education: bringing language to life and merging learning with daily experience. It highlights their excellent proficiency and their boundless potential to integrate Chinese into life, use it to articulate the world, and connect with the future.