On April 28, 2024, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong reiterated the growing importance of Mandarin in Singapore’s bilingual landscape. Younger generations and parents alike are recognizing the value of fostering Mandarin fluency from an early age. (Ref: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/younger-generation-of-singaporeans-understand-importance-of-the-chinese-language-pm-lee) ELFA Preschool aligns perfectly with this vision. We offer a robust programme with early Chinese Immersion designed to nurture language mastery and cultural appreciation in young learners.

Why ELFA Preschool is the Ideal Choice for Your Child’s Mandarin Mastery

At ELFA, we believe that early exposure to the Chinese language and culture lays a strong foundation for Mandarin proficiency and fosters bilingualism. Youth Chinese Test (YCT), a prestigious international standardise assessment under the Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi (HSK) framework designed for young Mandarin learners. The YCT evaluates writing, character recognition, and listening comprehension. It examines non-native primary and secondary school students’ ability to apply the Chinese language in their studies and daily lives. ELFA Kindergarten Two children participate in the YCT every year and achieve 100% passing rate.  They also score above national standard for preschoolers every year.  As Singapore continues to prioritize bilingualism, ELFA remains committed to providing children with the strong Chinese foundation they need for future success.

ELFA Preschool’s education produces children who are well-rounded and proficient in listening and speaking in Mandarin, and reading and writing Chinese (听说读写)

Four Key Strategies for Mandarin Excellence

1. Story-Based Learning: Bringing Language to Life

At ELFA, our native Chinese teachers incorporate stories and folktales into the curriculum to blend language, culture, and values. Through this story-based approach, children explore a world of wonder where concepts are made simple and relatable. These stories also introduce them to traditional Chinese traditional moral values and various cultural celebrations.

Through storytelling, teachers introduce words, characters and Chinese traditions and values to ELFA children

2. Learning Through Play: Making Mandarin Fun and Engaging

We believe language learning should be an enjoyable experience and not just about memorisation. At ELFA, educators use interactive tools like hand puppets, picture-matching games, and dramatisation to make lessons engaging. This method opens their interest to learn and helps retention of learning better, encourages active participation, and strengthens children’s ability to associate words with real-world concepts. By blending fun with education, ELFA ensures that learning Mandarin is a positive and fulfilling journey.

ELFA Preschool helps children appreciate the language better by making learning more engaging and meaningful through play-infused activities

3. Creative Art: Cultivating Creativity and Cultural Appreciation

Art plays a vital role in the ELFA curriculum, blending Eastern and Western artistic influences to help children develop creativity and an appreciation for art. This hands-on programme refines their artistic sense, instils patience, and deepens their connection to the language. By exploring different art forms, medium and styles, students gain a unique perspective on cultural heritage, especially Chinese.

The hands-on Creative Art programme cultivates an interest in the Chinese culture for ELFA Preschool’s children

4. Chinese Speech and Drama: Boosting Confidence and Communication Skills

Public speaking and performance are integral to the ELFA curriculum. Through our Chinese Speech and Drama (CSD) programme inbuilt in our curriculum, children gain confidence in expressing themselves in Mandarin. They practice articulation, teamwork, and cultural storytelling, reinforcing their language skills while developing critical thinking and creative expression. These activities prepare them to communicate effectively in both academic and social settings.

At ELFA Preschool’s year-end concerts, children display confidence and showcase their speech, communication and dramatisation skills which they have picked up during their Chinese Speech and Drama lessons

The Gift of Language: Empowering Young Learners with Mandarin Fluency

Young children particularly before the ages of five are like sponges. They are naturally gifted learners absorbing information rapidly and that is why at ELFA we believe in building this strong foundation of inquisitivity for the language early in life. ELFA’s curriculum and programmes, coupled with our team of dedicated educators create a print-rich, bilingual environment where students develop both linguistic and cultural fluency. By fostering a love for learning Mandarin from young, we equip children with a strong mandarin foundation for primary school and beyond.

Give your child the gift of Mandarin proficiency at ELFA Preschool—where language, culture, and learning come together seamlessly.