Yew Chung International School (YCIS) has established a school culture that enables even its youngest students to develop a wider perspective and understanding of the responsibilities they have as future citizens of the world: working together with people of all nations reaching far to the east and west. Different cultures can only be fully appreciated though comprehension of language.
One fundamental contributing part to this structure for students is supported immediately by the teaching and learning environment. Both a Western and Chinese teacher, working as equal partners with children from Early Childhood moving through to Secondary. They provide a model of acceptance of perspectives,
attitudes and beliefs from both traditions and cultures.
The Western and Chinese teachers play a vital role in the children’s lives in enabling them to incorporate the attitudes and behaviours that go with respecting differences and with treating all equally and fairly. The teachers encourage the child’s home language to continue to be supported while English and Chinese become the languages developed at school.
YCIS is a school network for foreign children in Mainland China and Hong Kong; welcoming students from all continents. A selection of students has been asked about their self-evolvement and reflection during their time at YCIS.
Choi, Min Kyung (Kiki) was awarded in June 2010 for Top in the World for Chinese IGCSE (Foreign Language).
How has your YCIS school life developed you?
I can feel that my mind flows more freely and I feel very comfortable with English too. The school atmosphere has helped me make new friends; I can quickly make the first contact with new people, conduct myself with confidence and it has really enabled me to communicate freely.
As you went to Chinese IGCSE exam, how confident were you?
I have been studying Chinese for some time so I feel quite comfortable but as I prepared for the Oral Test – I found I became nervous so I kept practicing with friends. There are three different exams to take; Oral, Writing and Reading.
What message would you like to give to your teachers?
I would like to say thank you to my teachers and especially Wang Laoshi who was my IGCSE Chinese teacher – she gets a special mention as she helped me to present my thoughts in Chinese language plus how to prepare for the exams.
Christine, hailing from Swedish and Chinese parents, there was a deep sense of importance in maintaining the world’s two strong languages English and Chinese to a high level with Swedish being a third language maintained with family members.
When you joined YCIS in 2007 what differences did you notice compared to your previous school?
“It felt more welcoming and I noticed immediately more attention on Chinese with more of a sense of fun in learning.”
You have always studied Chinese as a First Language and English as a First Language at YCIS; tell me how this has affected your overall development?
“For some people if they can’t speak a language so well, it may take time to reach but I had a good start at YCIS and feel strong now in both. This gives me more opportunities to lead or to take acting roles. I feel have not missed out on anything.”
How can you see the fluency of English and Chinese helping you in your life?
“I could stay in China or be in other countries with no difficulty. China’s huge impact requires people with good communication ability. I could be able to translator or work with a government being the bridge between people.”
Do you have preferred ways of using your bi-lingual skills?
“Sometimes when I go out, I could speaking with mum in English and others around me wonder if I can understand them – I like to surprise then and I speak in fluent Chinese!
Reading and writing so fluidly in both major languages, how do you manage this?
“Well, English came first for me and the alphabet is easy, sounding and spelling words out. But with Chinese you have to learn a complete character, there are lots to learn but once you know you can add to a character to build a related word it becomes easier and interesting. You quickly widen what you know and build that way, it’s a different style of learning.”
It is always a challenge to enter an environment where the sights, scents and sounds are alien, regardless of your age and experience. Imagine, for example, a six-year-old boy arriving from Germany, having only absorbed his homeland, his mother tongue and the sights and scents presented to him there; a city in China must seem a far-off place only read about in mystic storybooks. But, during May 2009, in walks this blond boy, his 2blue eyes wide with curiosity. This reality is a typical occurrence for us an international school but to the young individual arriving, this is a very big new phase of one’s life. We seek to work closely with parents, especially upon new arrival, and the partnership will always enable the child to flourish.
One six-year old boy, filled with curiosity, was Felix Haeusler. Today, aged 8 and about one and a half years attending YCIS Qingdao, he is a boy of new wonder, popular, fun loving and enormously competent in his new international life. We spoke with Felix to see if he remembers the first days and how he sees his growth over the last year in English language and communication.
Do you remember when you first arrived? I think I remember being at the lobby and starting but it seems a long time ago. I remember feeling scared at first.
Do you remember when you started to speak English and communicate with your teachers and classmates? I don't remember how long it was but suddenly I was speaking many words and it was ok.
Felix’s English teacher praises his reach for more vocabulary all the time, and his quick comprehension of reading material. He is also able to compare to his native German
language and see differences in sentence structure or word usage. Felix is a hard
working young student and obviously the fruits of his labour are becoming more and
more evident.
Do you enjoy being able to read and write in English? Yes! I love adventure stories and
there is a lot to choose from. I read everyday in English.
Similar feelings can be recognised by other nationalities and equally a student whose first language is Chinese, can feel the changes of environment. Here we focus of Wei, Youngshuang (Esther as we all call her). Esther hails from Singapore and after having had some Primary education in a local Chinese school her parents decided to embrace an international setting with access to bilingual learning. Esther joined Year 4 in January2011. Today, one year later, we exchanged conversation about how she has grown in this time.
Last year I was scared because I was not sure how to speak English, really I was scared it might be wrong so I didn’t speak. I really relaxed when I got to know my teacher. He would keep using words until he saw that I did understand. If I had to speakin front of the class I thought I was going to cry! But my teacher made me feel good about it and so now I am ok to speak to the class. My handwriting is not very nice but I
am practicing at home too but I enjoy writing adventure stories in English. If I do not understand something I ask again and try to remember new words. I really like school!
These students exemplify the embracement of bi-lingual ability (or even tri-lingual). Their years of YCIS education have provided them the skill set to become citizens of the world, to become much sought-after strength for international companies and organisations in the future. With very little in the world being untouched by globalization the prospects for students today include cultural sensitivity, multi-national appreciation, and all funneled by language.
Anna Weston, currently studying A Levels, last year achieved a top grade for IGCSE Chinese as a Foreign Language. In a recent interview we asked her how it felt;
“Getting an A* (97%) in Chinese was amazing, I was so proud of myself! It has definitely given be a boost of encouragement to keep learning the language everyday whether it be in school or in general daily life. I know now that my result will help me along with other results to get a great job in travelling or translating etc.”
One fundamental contributing part to this structure for students is supported immediately by the teaching and learning environment. Both a Western and Chinese teacher, working as equal partners with children from Early Childhood moving through to Secondary. They provide a model of acceptance of perspectives,
attitudes and beliefs from both traditions and cultures.
The Western and Chinese teachers play a vital role in the children’s lives in enabling them to incorporate the attitudes and behaviours that go with respecting differences and with treating all equally and fairly. The teachers encourage the child’s home language to continue to be supported while English and Chinese become the languages developed at school.
YCIS is a school network for foreign children in Mainland China and Hong Kong; welcoming students from all continents. A selection of students has been asked about their self-evolvement and reflection during their time at YCIS.
Choi, Min Kyung (Kiki) was awarded in June 2010 for Top in the World for Chinese IGCSE (Foreign Language).
How has your YCIS school life developed you?
I can feel that my mind flows more freely and I feel very comfortable with English too. The school atmosphere has helped me make new friends; I can quickly make the first contact with new people, conduct myself with confidence and it has really enabled me to communicate freely.
As you went to Chinese IGCSE exam, how confident were you?
I have been studying Chinese for some time so I feel quite comfortable but as I prepared for the Oral Test – I found I became nervous so I kept practicing with friends. There are three different exams to take; Oral, Writing and Reading.
What message would you like to give to your teachers?
I would like to say thank you to my teachers and especially Wang Laoshi who was my IGCSE Chinese teacher – she gets a special mention as she helped me to present my thoughts in Chinese language plus how to prepare for the exams.
Christine, hailing from Swedish and Chinese parents, there was a deep sense of importance in maintaining the world’s two strong languages English and Chinese to a high level with Swedish being a third language maintained with family members.
When you joined YCIS in 2007 what differences did you notice compared to your previous school?
“It felt more welcoming and I noticed immediately more attention on Chinese with more of a sense of fun in learning.”
You have always studied Chinese as a First Language and English as a First Language at YCIS; tell me how this has affected your overall development?
“For some people if they can’t speak a language so well, it may take time to reach but I had a good start at YCIS and feel strong now in both. This gives me more opportunities to lead or to take acting roles. I feel have not missed out on anything.”
How can you see the fluency of English and Chinese helping you in your life?
“I could stay in China or be in other countries with no difficulty. China’s huge impact requires people with good communication ability. I could be able to translator or work with a government being the bridge between people.”
Do you have preferred ways of using your bi-lingual skills?
“Sometimes when I go out, I could speaking with mum in English and others around me wonder if I can understand them – I like to surprise then and I speak in fluent Chinese!
Reading and writing so fluidly in both major languages, how do you manage this?
“Well, English came first for me and the alphabet is easy, sounding and spelling words out. But with Chinese you have to learn a complete character, there are lots to learn but once you know you can add to a character to build a related word it becomes easier and interesting. You quickly widen what you know and build that way, it’s a different style of learning.”
It is always a challenge to enter an environment where the sights, scents and sounds are alien, regardless of your age and experience. Imagine, for example, a six-year-old boy arriving from Germany, having only absorbed his homeland, his mother tongue and the sights and scents presented to him there; a city in China must seem a far-off place only read about in mystic storybooks. But, during May 2009, in walks this blond boy, his 2blue eyes wide with curiosity. This reality is a typical occurrence for us an international school but to the young individual arriving, this is a very big new phase of one’s life. We seek to work closely with parents, especially upon new arrival, and the partnership will always enable the child to flourish.
One six-year old boy, filled with curiosity, was Felix Haeusler. Today, aged 8 and about one and a half years attending YCIS Qingdao, he is a boy of new wonder, popular, fun loving and enormously competent in his new international life. We spoke with Felix to see if he remembers the first days and how he sees his growth over the last year in English language and communication.
Do you remember when you first arrived? I think I remember being at the lobby and starting but it seems a long time ago. I remember feeling scared at first.
Do you remember when you started to speak English and communicate with your teachers and classmates? I don't remember how long it was but suddenly I was speaking many words and it was ok.
Felix’s English teacher praises his reach for more vocabulary all the time, and his quick comprehension of reading material. He is also able to compare to his native German
language and see differences in sentence structure or word usage. Felix is a hard
working young student and obviously the fruits of his labour are becoming more and
more evident.
Do you enjoy being able to read and write in English? Yes! I love adventure stories and
there is a lot to choose from. I read everyday in English.
Similar feelings can be recognised by other nationalities and equally a student whose first language is Chinese, can feel the changes of environment. Here we focus of Wei, Youngshuang (Esther as we all call her). Esther hails from Singapore and after having had some Primary education in a local Chinese school her parents decided to embrace an international setting with access to bilingual learning. Esther joined Year 4 in January2011. Today, one year later, we exchanged conversation about how she has grown in this time.
Last year I was scared because I was not sure how to speak English, really I was scared it might be wrong so I didn’t speak. I really relaxed when I got to know my teacher. He would keep using words until he saw that I did understand. If I had to speakin front of the class I thought I was going to cry! But my teacher made me feel good about it and so now I am ok to speak to the class. My handwriting is not very nice but I
am practicing at home too but I enjoy writing adventure stories in English. If I do not understand something I ask again and try to remember new words. I really like school!
These students exemplify the embracement of bi-lingual ability (or even tri-lingual). Their years of YCIS education have provided them the skill set to become citizens of the world, to become much sought-after strength for international companies and organisations in the future. With very little in the world being untouched by globalization the prospects for students today include cultural sensitivity, multi-national appreciation, and all funneled by language.
Anna Weston, currently studying A Levels, last year achieved a top grade for IGCSE Chinese as a Foreign Language. In a recent interview we asked her how it felt;
“Getting an A* (97%) in Chinese was amazing, I was so proud of myself! It has definitely given be a boost of encouragement to keep learning the language everyday whether it be in school or in general daily life. I know now that my result will help me along with other results to get a great job in travelling or translating etc.”