Many expatriate families recognize living in Beijing as a golden opportunity to learn Chinese. Choosing among a diverse range of bilingual education programs is an important step toward taking advantage of this opportunity. To make an informed choice, check out this advice from parents and teachers on Beijing’s top bilingual schools and how to support a multilingual educationfor your child.
3e International – 3e国际学校
Languages taught: Chinese, English
Age range: 2-9
Grade range: Nursery-Grade 3 (Grade 4 in the future)
Method of teaching: 3e International (3e) offers complete immersion in each language with 50 percent of each day spent in environments dedicated to each language. 3e’s research-based curriculum is unique and was tailored specifically for this dual immersion program.
Tips for parents: Maintain your home language. Try to facilitate play dates with other children who speak the languages spoken in your child’s school. Also read, read, read and talk, talk, talk
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"3e’s atmosphere is very welcoming and friendly. The staff and families have smiles on their faces, are encouraging, and willing to help."
– Katherine Crawford, English teacher, 3e International
Daystar Academy 北京市朝阳区启明星双语学校
Languages taught: Chinese, English
Age range: 3-12
Grade range: Kindergarten-Grade 6
Teaching method: Students spend a half-day immersed in each language environment. For the English language half of the day, they have a Montessori-based English program mixed with other curricula. For teaching Chinese, the school uses the PRC national curriculum to help children develop memorization skills and perseverance in addition to an understanding of Chinese culture and fluency in Chinese. Daystar’sChinese language-learning curriculum uses materials published by People’s Education Press (人民教育出版社).
Unique trait: Daystar is licensed locally, which means they accept Chinese nationals. Their student body has a balance of foreigners and nationals.
Additional services: Daystar teachers are available as tutors; the school also works with other programs that can provide tutoring.
Suzannah Wang is a Lower Elementary Montessori teacher and the English Program Director at Daystar. He Lixing is a Chinese languageteacher and Chinese system coordinator at Daystar. Here are their tips for parents with children learning two languages:
• Provide a safe, encouraging and caring environment.
• Develop the habit of reading in English early and continue reading with them every day. Parents that do not speak English can listen to their children read aloud.
• Set aside a fixed time for your children to do their homework.
• Chinese homework requires a lot of daily help, so if you do not speak Chinese, find a tutor or have an educated ayi assist with your child’s homework.
Irene Tanner has two children: Annika (8) and Nikolas (5), who attend Daystar (Grade 3) and The Family Learning House (Kindergarten), respectively.
Why did you choose Daystar?
Primarily for the balance in language, and balance of internationaland Chinese students. Having a good mix in "playground language"is important. I feel that my daughter has been able to maintain true fluency in both languages. No school or curriculum is perfect and there are always tradeoffs; each parent has to constantly review and consider whether a program is working.
What do you think of Daystar’s approach to teaching Chinese?
It’s impossible to teach native Chinese fluency using a Western teaching philosophy. A child has to learn 1,000 characters a year, and recite the multiplication table up to nine after the first half of second grade. The Chinese system is rote memorization. In contrast, an English curriculum teaches language in a completely different way. At Daystar, the kids straddle two different worlds, languages, culture, and thinking.
Do you face any difficulties when helping your child with homework?
Her Chinese education is basically in the hands of the school, teachers, and my ayi, who tutors my daughter every day after school. If they were in a purely local Chinese school, I would probably feel a bit more disconnected from their education. I recognize the English curriculum and keep up with that portion of her education.
Eduwings Kindergarten 金翼德懿幼儿园
Languages taught: Chinese, English, German
Age range: 1-6
Method of teaching: All teachers are native speakers. Classes have a lead teacher as well as teaching assistants, so there is someone who speaks English, German and Chinese in the classroom at all times. Teachers prepare daily lessons for the kids and activities include games, singing songs, learning poems and discussing new topics (a new theme every month) to help the students expand their vocabulary and learn about a new topic.
Unique trait: The school recently relocated to a villa compound, so the rooms are new and modern. The classrooms are very big, friendly and bright and there are many themed rooms, such as the art room, the Montessori room, the music room, two piano rooms, a physical education room and a big library. There is also an outdoor playground and a swimming pool is planned.
Additional services: A professional speech therapist, bilingual in English and German
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"I chose this school because it [teaches]German. In my opinion, it is very important that children first learn one native language. Also, our plan is to move back to Germany in a year and for this, my children must speak perfect German."
– Monika Bertuleit, Germany, mother of students Leon (6) and Marcel (6), Eduwings Kindergarten
Xiaona Yang, also known as Anna, is a Chinese lead teacher at Eduwings. Christian Seemel and Katja Biertümpel are lead teachers in the school’s German Department. Here are their key tips for parents whose children are learning a new language:
• Read with your children.
• Take advantage of living in a Chinese environment. Go outside and use Chinese daily. Make Chinese friends and learn together.
• If children don’t like you or trust you, they will not be able to learn. So remain open and friendly – be forgiving when they make mistakes.
• Teachers at Eduwings speak only their native language to students; parents should do the same. This enables the children to associate a language with a person.
• Be patient. Learning a second language requires time.
• Let the children teach you songs, rhymes and new vocabulary they learned at school.
Etonkids International Kindergarten 伊顿国际学校
Languages taught: Chinese, English
Age range: 6 months-6 years
Method of teaching: Etonkids follows the Montessori method, providing a bilingual environment for the children where they interact with native speakers. They are taught in group and individual settings. Every month, a different topic is introduced to convey not only language, but culture.
Tips for parents: Encourage your children to teach you what they have been taught at school. Let them show you what they are capable of, which in turn will help build their confidence
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"Since our first visit, the teachers and staff have shown expertise, professionalism and care for the kids. In addition, the school maintains a library with a lot of English books to encourage the kids to read, write, and speak English."
– Hua Lin, China, father of a 4-year-old, Etonkids
House of Knowledge International Kindergarten (HoK) 国际幼儿园
Languages taught: Chinese, English, German
Age range: 18 months-6 years
Grade range: Nursery-Preschool
Method of teaching: Teachers speak only their native tongue. HoK has a unique curriculum of Immersion Projects that last up to eight weeks and are comprised of daily activities that the child completes in all three languages.
Additional services: HoK meets regularly with parents to help them create activities at home that will benefit their child’s language learning.An in-house speech therapist is available for children (and adults) with any learning difficulties.
Tips for parents: Start a child’s language learning early
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"[HoK has] young, well-trained, enthusiastic teachers as well as a very good trilingual program and great facilities. In between project work, there is a lot of playing and physical activities."
– Zoe Moering, Germany, mother of a 6-year-old, House of Knowledge
The International Montessori School of Beijing (MSB) 北京蒙台梭利国际学校
Age range: 2-12
Grade range: Nursery-Grade 6
Method of teaching: MSB offers both an English-language Montessori curriculum as well as an English/Mandarin Dual Language immersion program that incorporates Chinese language, traditional literature and culture. Both options are full Montessori academic programs.
Additional language services: English as an Additional Language (EAL) is offered and afterschool tutoring services can be arranged.
Tips for parents: Develop friendships with native speakers.
"We are absolutely satisfied with MSB’s dual language Montessori program. Our children are totally comfortable in both environments and love the cultural variations between the two. Languages come so naturally to children when they are given the nurturing opportunity to acquire them – and this MSB does brilliantly."
– Rachael Garcia, British/Spanish/Swiss family, mother of a 3-year-old and a 6-year-old, The International Montessori School of Beijing
Ivy Bilingual School (IBS) 艾毅双语幼儿园
Languages taught: Chinese, English
Age range: 2-6
Grade range: Nursery-Kindergarten
Method of teaching: Ivy Bilingual School offers an immersive bilingual program, where both Chinese and English teachersinteract with children at the same time so that they are exposed to both languages for an equal amount of time throughout the day. Teachers only speak their native language to students.
Unique trait: The school embraces Multiple Intelligences (MI) theory, recognizing children as individuals and the learning process as a journey. A curriculum based on MI helps children and teachers see that we are all intelligent, and we all have our own strengths, experiencesand skill sets.
Additional services: Afterschool classes in both English and Chinese.
Tips for parents: Practice is the most effective way to learn. Gently encouraging a child to communicate in their second language in a variety of settings, including at home, can help build self-confidence, vocabulary and fluency. Keeping language learning as relaxed and natural as possible is also important. If parents don’t speak the second language they can encourage their child to teach them, so they can share the learning experience.
"Kindergarten is the foundation for children’s education; a positive experience will encourage a love for learning."
– Mubanga Mulenga, Zambia, Kindergarten English teacher,Ivy Bilingual School
"Many roadblocks come from inappropriate ways of introducing a new language, or from having unrealistic expectations. We help children overcome this difficulty by helping them enjoy the learning process. We respect their individual learning style and learning pace, and allow them time to feel comfortable using the language."
– Victoria Li, Acting Campus Director, Ivy Bilingual School
"We wanted Isabel to continue learning Chinese in a school with an international view towards education. Isabel is thriving. She’s stimulated and challenged by her teachers and international classmates in a nurturing environment."
– Yvonne Yeung, UK, mother of Isabel (5), Ivy Bilingual School
Teow Lee Foo has two children of Singaporean-nationality:Athena (6) and Adele (3.5) Lau. Athena went to Ivy BilingualSchool until she was 5 years old and is currently in Grade 1 at Western Academy of Beijing. Adele is at Ivy Bilingual School in PK1.
Why did you choose this school for your child?
I want my girls to attend a bilingual school that is not Montessori-based. I am happy with the Multiple Intelligences curriculum, which offers my children a chance to be nurtured in different areas. It feels like a home and my children are really happy there.
In what ways does the school help your child learn two languages?
Before, Adele was not strong in English. After going to Ivy, her English has improved dramatically and she can communicate in both Chinese and English, switching from one to another with ease.
How do you maintain two languages at home?
I speak both languages with my children, as I am effectively bilingual. Beijing in fact provides a very good environment for bilingual education. It is all entirely up to the parents and teachers to create the environment for an effective bilingual education.
Yew Chung International School of Beijing (YCIS) 北京耀中国际学校
Languages taught: Chinese, English
Age range: 2-18
Grade range: Kindergarten-Year 13
Method of teaching: YCIS uses the British Curriculum. Both Chinese and English teachers teach in their native languages.
Melissa Lang is the primary English-language co-teacher for Year 6 and Linda Wei is the primary Chinese co-teacher in Year 6 and secondary Chinese. Lang’s native language is English; Wei’s is Chinese – she also speaks English. Together they teach Year 6 students at YCIS Beijing.
Is there any overlap between your classes?
We teach in the same classroom and share everything from resources, lesson plans, and classroom space to encouragement, support, and ideas. While we are co-teaching, the students will speak and hear both Chinese and English.
What are the biggest difficulties the children face when learning a new language?
Having the confidence needed to speak.
How do you help them overcome this difficulty?
We have created a learning environment where our students are comfortable in trying new things, sounding silly from time to time, and learning from their mistakes.
What can parents do to help their children maintain two languages outside the classroom?
Parents should try speaking the language when or if possible, and create certain opportunities for their children to put into practice vocabulary they are learning at school. Most importantly, parents should show a positive attitude towards the language.
How can parents who do not speak Chinese help them with their Chinese homework?
If parents don’t speak Chinese, encouragement and showing an interest in the language is still incredibly effective. One way to do this is allow your child to teach you what they learn at school. We also encourage parents to contact the Chinese teachers about the homework or how to help their child at home. Hiring a tutor to help out is another option.
Iris Miller has three children: Alexander (24), Abraham (21) and Erika (7). Iris Miller’s native language is Chinese; she also speaks English and Japanese. Alexander, fluent in English, Chinese and Japanese, graduated from YCIS Beijing and UCLA. He currently works for WWF in Beijing. Abraham, who is also trilingual, is currently an undergraduate at UCLA and Erika studies at YCIS Beijing.
Why did you choose YCIS and are you happy with your decision?YCIS offers the best English/Chinese bilingual program in Beijing, in my opinion. I am very happy, and grateful that Alexander went into UCLA from YCIS – he benefited from his Chinese language ability. Currently, Alexander plays an important role at WWF (Beijing) as a host of their big events (Earth Hour, the award ceremony at the Westin), because he is fluent in both English and Chinese.
How does the school overcome learning difficulties?
The school has relatively small classes, and some great teachers that make learning fun and exciting. That nurturing goes a long way toward motivating the children. There is fair bit of homework, which is tough but good.
Other bilingual schools to consider:
Beanstalk International Bilingual School (BIBS) 青苗国际双语学校
Children’s Learning Center of Beijing 爱嘉励儿童双语培训学校
The Family Learning House 家育苑
KinStar Bilingual School 海嘉双语国际学校
