Chinese-English Bilingual Education Programme
OWIS Bilingual School Programme
This optional programme is intended for learners in our Primary School at OWIS Nanyang, who want to build their language skills in both Mandarin (Chinese) and English.
Our OWIS Bilingual Programme is designed to offer students, whether native or non-native speakers, a thorough foundation in Chinese (Mandarin) alongside their English mastery. It emphasises the development of key skills such as speaking, reading, writing, listening, and communicating in both languages, tailored to the individual pace and needs of each student.
What To Expect From Our Bilingual Programme
Aligned with the IB PYP, our Chinese-English Bilingual Programme at OWIS Nanyang provides a rich, engaging and immersive learning experience for our students, so that they can improve their speaking, writing and listening skills in Mandarin and English.
Our approach to bilingual education in this programme follows the same inquiry-led learning that we nurture in our mainstream Primary classrooms.
The result is that children build on their existing language skills related to Chinese and English through hands-on activities, collaborative group work and all the other activities that make the IB PYP an outstanding and engaging framework for young learners.
Here is how the Bilingual Programme is designed at OWIS:
In Primary Grade 1, one Bilingual teacher, supported by a Teaching Assistant, provides lessons in both English and Mandarin.
The programme is currently offered in Grades 2 to 5.
There will be one English teacher for half of the week and one Mandarin teacher for the other half. These teachers will be supported by a Teaching Assistant. As a result, students are given exposure to both languages for an equal period of time and benefit from this immersive experience.
Learn More About Our High-Quality Bilingual, Bicultural And Bi-Literate Education Approach
Discover how the Bilingual Education Programme at OWIS helps your child achieve fluency in both English and Mandarin.
Bilingual Grade 1
Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
UOI English
9 – 10 am | Maths Mandarin 9 – 10 am | English
9 – 10 am | Maths Mandarin 9 – 10 am | PSPE Assembly
9 – 10 am |
Break (10:30 am – 11 am) | ||||
English
10:30 – 11:30 am | PE
10:30 – 11:30 am | Art Specialist
10:30 – 11:30 am | Mandarin 10:30 – 11:30 am | English
10:30 – 11:30 am |
Maths English
11:30 – 12:30 pm | Mandarin
11:30 – 12:30 pm | UOI English
11:30 – 12:30 pm | Maths Mandarin
11:30 – 12:30 pm | Music
11:30 – 12:30 pm |
Lunch
(12:00 – 1:15 pm) | ||||
UOI Mandarin
1:15 -2:15 pm | UOI English
1:15 -2:15 pm | UOI Mandarin
1:15 -2:15 pm | Maths English
1:15 -2:00 pm Art in Class 2 -2:30 pm | Art in Class
1:15 -1:45 pm |
Mandarin
2:15 – 3:10 pm | English
2:15 – 3:10 pm | PSPE
2:15 – 3:10 pm | Guided Reading English 2:30 – 3:10 pm | Guided Reading Mandarin 2:45 – 3:10 pm |
Sample BIlingual Programme Timetable (Grade 3 to Grade 5)
Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
English
9 – 10 am | Maths English 9 – 10 am | English
9 – 10 am | PE 9 – 10 am | Maths Mandarin
9 – 10 am |
Mindfulness
10 – 10:30 am | English 10 – 10:30 am | English
10 – 10:30 am | Maths Mandarin 10 – 10:30 am | Mandarin
10 – 10:30 am |
Break (10:30 am – 11 am) | ||||
Art
11 -12:00 pm | English
11 -12:00 pm | Music
11 -12:00 pm | Mandarin 11 -12:00 pm | Assembly
11 -12:00 pm |
Maths English
12 -1:00 pm | UOI English
12 -1:00 pm | Maths Mandarin
12 -1:00 pm | Mandarin
12 -1:00 pm | Mandarin
12 -1:00 pm |
Lunch
(1:00 – 1:45 pm) | ||||
Maths English
1:45 -2:15 pm | UOI English
1:45 -2:15 pm | Mandarin Guided Reading 1:45 -2:15 pm | UOI Mandarin
1:45 -2:15 pm | Mandarin Guided Reading 1:45 -2:15 pm |
UOI English
2:15 – 3:15 pm | Library
2:15 – 2:45 pm English Guided Reading 2:45 – 3:15 pm | Mandarin
2:15 – 3:15 pm | UOI Mandarin
2:15 – 3:15 pm | ICT
2:15 – 3:15 pm |
(Please note these time-tables are for an illustrative purpose only, and the actual time-tables may be different and may change.)
Benefits of Our Chinese-English Bilingual Programme
As a result of the programme being aligned with the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), our students in the Bilingual Programme acquire language skills through various activities, rather than through rote or memorisation. These activities include inquiry into concepts and themes, experiments, games, and hands-on learning experiences. Expanding their vocabulary and language skills in English and Chinese is an integral part of their overall learning process.
Our bicultural, bi-literate immersion programme aims to help children not only understand the language but also the culture and way of thinking behind it. This enables them to appreciate the language more and use their skills effectively.
With a focus on education through play, drama, festivals, events, presentations, and other fun activities, our approach to learning is designed to make children feel engaged and self-motivated. Further, the transdisciplinary learning approach of the IB PYP empowers students to take control of their learning and sparks excitement about learning a new language, rather than forcing it upon them.
We recognise that students need to interact with their peers, so specialist language lessons are conducted in English. Our Bilingual Programme students also mingle with other classes when it comes to whole school events and celebrations that are conducted in English.
Our Bilingual Programme provides students with almost equal exposure to both languages, allowing them to develop age-appropriate language skills in speaking, writing, and reading.
Who is the Bilingual Programme For?
The Bilingual Programme is ideal for any student who is interested in deepening their Chinese studies while maintaining and developing their English language proficiency. This includes:
Chinese As A First Language Speakers
Students who grew up in countries where Mandarin is the mother tongue language and they have age-appropriate fluency in Mandarin and English. They will benefit from this programme as it allows them to continue exploring their first language while simultaneously immersing themselves in the English language. It will enable them to have a deeper understanding of both languages.
Chinese Language Learners
Students who have been studying Mandarin and English for a while, and who have an advanced level of understanding, may enjoy the challenges of being in this immersive environment. This programme allows them to read, write and speak Mandarin fluently whilst maintaining their English skills.
Why Consider the Bilingual Education Programme at OWIS?
Every child a Unique Individual
We value and treat every child as a unique individual. To achieve optimal personal and academic growth, we personalise your child's learning journey based on their specific needs, interests and progress.
Rich Selection of Extracurricular Activities
Your child has plenty of engaging co-curricular activities to choose from. That way, they can explore their passions, learn new skills and boost their confidence in areas such as sports, arts, music and languages.
Low Student-Teacher Ratio
In our small class sizes, your child benefits from greater personal care and attention. Being part of a small and nurturing classroom environment also helps students form more meaningful connections with their teachers and peers.
Inquiry-Based International Curriculum
Aligned with the IB PYP programme, our Bilingual Programme provides students with an immersive experience in each language and culture. By expanding their proficiency in Mandarin and English, children gain an invaluable competitive edge for the future.
School-Wide Nationality Cap
To ensure all 70+ nationalities are equally represented across our school body, we cap enrolment of students coming from a single nationality at 30%.
Reasonable Tuition Fees
As a not-for-profit educational institution, we reinvest back into our school to continuously improve our quality of teaching. That way, we can deliver the highest quality of education without excessively high fees.
The Benefits of Bilingualism
Increased Economic Opportunities
By encouraging bilingualism at OWIS Singapore, we support school students to be more successful in our interconnected global economy as there will be a greater need in the future for a multilingual workforce.
Better Academic Achievement
Research over the last few decades has indicated that students who had a bilingual learning in early childhood and spoke multiple languages had achieved more than their peers in school, especially in maths, reading and vocabulary ultimately leading to better university prospects.
Cross-Cultural Appreciation
Students who are bilingual have an appreciation for both cultures. Students are able to engage in both languages through stories, idioms and other primary sources of information without requiring translation which leads to deeper cultural exchanges.
Increased Cognitive Development
Research has shown that bilingual students have improved brain function, which leads to an increased ability to problem solve, improved memory and recall, and multitask more efficiently.
Benefits of Our Chinese-English Bilingual Programme
Our admissions process allows families to apply at any point during the academic year, which runs from August to July.
The admission involves a 9-step application process that most families find easy to complete. In certain instances, we prefer to meet prospective students in person for an assessment to better understand their needs and how OWIS can meet them. For such cases, the assessment will require both the child and the parents to be present on campus.
Bilingual School FAQs
Is the programme suitable for beginners in Mandarin?
Yes, our OWIS Chinese-English Bilingual Education Programme at OWIS is beginner-friendly for students who would like to pick up or polish their Mandarin.
By integrating dynamic, interactive ways to learn, our students can approach Mandarin in a more engaging and effective manner.
Additionally, our bilingual programme is structured with one English teacher and one Mandarin teacher alternating throughout the week, supported by a Teaching Assistant. This ensures that students receive equal exposure to both languages, benefitting from a truly immersive experience that enhances their language learning.
How does the programme prepare students for secondary education?
Yes, students can join the OWIS Chinese-English Bilingual Programme mid-year, subject to availability in grades 3 to 5. With our beginner-friendly programme structure, mid-year entrants will have no issues integrating, benefitting from our supportive education environment.
Visit Our School And See How We Can Support Your Child’s All-Round Development
Learn more about the Chinese-English Bilingual Programme and our child-centred teaching methodology.
