Sponsored by Yew Chung International School of Beijing (YCIS Beijing) –YCIS Beijing is has a long history of academic achievement with five educational accreditations and a award from Cambridge International Examinations. YCIS Beijing is registered as a school for children of foreign nationals offering international education for students in kindergarten through to Year 13 and graduation to university. For more information, please email: enquiry@bj.ycef.com
For many years now, China has been making some impressive steps in building bridges building itself and the Western world, improving its standing across the globe as one of the true powerhouses in so many influential industries. These achievements really highlight the strong bonds and growing cultural understanding that is forming between the Eastern and Western world. At Yew Chung International School of Beijing (YCIS Beijing), this uniting of cultures is at the heart of the school’s philosophy and objectives, bridging the linguistical and cultural gap between the East and the West. Having awareness and respect of the differences between cultures and being able to work side-by-side with others has proved time and time again that the results are mutually beneficial and strong relationships can be built. YCIS was first established in Hong Kong in 1932 and from the age of two years old, students are educated to think and act in an international way, studying a international curriculum.
YCIS Beijing’s curriculum is based on the framework of the National Curriculum for England, combined with an extensive Chinese Language and Culture Programme. This combination of curricula is enhanced through a Co-Principal and Co-Teaching Model, in which each YCIS school is led by a Chinese and a Western Principal in addition to one Western and one Chinese teacher in all Kindergarten and Primary classrooms.All students study Chinese language and culture in order to gain fluency in what is regarded by many, including UK Prime Minister David Cameron, as the major language of the future. Through studying Chinese language and culture, students better comprehend not only Eastern but Western values and perspectives. At YCIS Beijing, Chinese is taught, but not in a traditional Chinese way. Instead, it is taught in a more Western style, incorporating role-play activities, singing and art, poetry and Experiencing China trips allows students to learn the language and culture first hand, through memorable and enjoyable teaching methods.
One student who has felt the importance of this visionary educational model is Dan Johnson, the very first student to study at YCIS Beijing when the school was estblished in Beijing in 1995. Dan started studying at YCIS Beijing when he was 7 years old. Now 26, Johnson has a master’s degree in pharmacology from the University of Bristol in the UK. Johnson currently works in the pharmaceutical industry as a marketing consultant for a joint venture between the company he works for in the UK and a Chinese advertising company, “What makes YCIS Beijing special is the combination of Eastern and Western education. The reason I was offered the job I have now was due to the fact I can speak Chinese. When I was at school in Beijing, no other international school offered the same level of language combined with a truly diverse, international environment.”
In December 2013, UK Prime Minister David Cameron visited China for a 3 day period after which he returned to the UK and had this to say, “"I want Britain linked up to the world’s fast-growing economies. And that includes our young people learning the languages to seal tomorrow’s business deals. By the time the children born today leave school, China is set to be the world’s largest economy. So it’s time to get many more children learning Mandarin.” Johnson has already experienced the benefits of exactly what Cameron wants for the children in the UK and as a result, has been given a strong platform in which to excel in his career, “For me, speaking Chinese was a huge differentiator when it came to an extremely competitive job market for graduates in 2009. I had no problems landing the exact job that I wanted.”
YCIS Beijing will continue to unite Eastern and Western education and provide students with more platforms to succeed in their future careers, with an international mindset that is sure to help them accomplish their goals.
On Saturday, February 7th YCIS Beijing will hold it’s annual Open Day full of fun activities suitable for both children and parents. To register for this unique international school experience, please click here. (www.ycis-bj.com/ycis-beijing-open-day-2015)
