Taking the Youth Chinese Test (YCT) for the first time in 2021, 14 of our Year 2 and Year 3 Mandarin Language students who sat for the test scored a 100% pass rate, with some even achieving the highest scores possible for Listening and Reading. This is a really encouraging achievement considering many of them only started learning Mandarin for a relatively short 2-3 years period.
Administered by the HSK Centre (Crestar) and designed by Hanban (Chinese Language Council International) – China’s Chinese language authority, The YCT is directed at examining non-native primary and secondary learner’s ability to apply Chinese language in their studies and daily lives. The test consists of two independent parts – written test and oral test.
The YCT is now a part of The Grange’s annual benchmarking assessment for our Mandarin Foreign Language learners, allowing us to continually assess our students’ proficiency of the language and quality of our Mandarin Programme.
The Mandarin Language programme at The Grange puts emphasise on all four strands of Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing, ensuring a holistic learning of the language. Using a variety of creative teaching methods, our Mandarin Teacher, Ms Chen Lih Jiun, not only keeps the students engaged, but also helps them develop a love for learning the language.
The positive results at the YCT on our first attempt builds on our previous success at the inaugural Chinese Language Festival 2020/2021, where 23 students from The Grange won a total of 30 awards. One Year 3 student in particular was declared Group Champion under the Southeast Asia (Non-native) Group.
In an increasingly connected world, learning a 2nd language helps The Grange students build friendship across different backgrounds, becoming stronger leaders and more competent global citizens.
Aside from Mandarin as a foreign language option, The Grange also offers Japanese Mother Tongue and Additional English language options for students.
