In the spring of 2024, we tested all of our Mandarin students L3 and up and found that students in upper levels tend to learn the material from L1 to L3 well, but forget much of what is learned in L4 and higher. In addition, we have found that students who learn the material in L1 through L5 well and retain it do very well on the Chinese placement test for high school and can be ready for AP Chinese as high school freshmen.
The material presented in Meizhou Chinese 4 and higher includes more specialized vocabulary that may not be used in daily household conversation, and thus, may be harder to remember. Instead of students progressing from one level to the next without learning the material well, the teachers and principals decided to formulate a new curriculum for the higher levels. The goal is to learn the content in MZ Chinese 4 and 5 well and retain it, while also attending to the differing needs of students from Chinese speaking households and those from English speaking households.
To accomplish this goal, after completing 1 year of MZ Chinese 4 in L4, students will spend the next year in L4AP. Likewise, after completing 1 year of MZ Chinese 5 in L5, students will spend the next year in L5AP. In the L4AP & L5AP classes, students will use the Chinese they have already learned and use it in class in a practical way, speaking, reading, listening, doing oral cultural presentations, and writing stories based on pictures. This is based on the MZ Chinese SAT & AP Preparation book. Teachers and TA’s can work with individual students who need help with speaking to improve their speaking abilities. Likewise, they can work with individual students who are adept at speaking and help them improve their essay writing skills. The exercises done in class are modeled after the Chinese AP test format and will also help students who eventually take Chinese AP in high school. Homework will consist of recording oral presentations and also typing up the written work students have worked on in class and will thus hone Chinese typing skills. This can also serve as a good supplement to students who are taking Chinese concurrently in middle school and even high school.
The Advanced class for 2024-2025 will use Integrated Chinese 3, MZ Chinese 7 AP prep, and the Barron’s AP Chinese prep book. This class will be taught with AP style exercises. This class will prepare students for the AP Chinese exam, as well as to take the high school Chinese placement exam and place into Chinese 4/AP.
The classes planned for 2024-2025 reflect the projected needs of returning students from the 2023-2024 school year. Thus, there is no L5 or L6 class. If enrollment in the summer is different than expected, adjustments may be made. The classes planned in 2025-2026 may shift depending on the experience of the 2024-2025 school year with this new curriculum.
The teachers and principals are unified and excited about this curriculum change, as we believe it will be greatly beneficial to our students in their Chinese learning journey.