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About

Our aims

Squirrel Chinese is a Chinese weekend school offering Chinese lessons to 5-11 years. I aim to show the beauty of Chinese language and culture to the children in Twickenham, and also help them to build a solid foundation for progressing to GCSE Chinese and A Level Chinese. The course (across five years) is designed to teach 600+ vocabularies and 100+ grammar points, which equals to the proficiency of HSK Level 3*. Children will be well prepared for further Chinese studies when they get into secondary schools.    â€‹

*HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi) is the standardized test of proficiency in Mandarin Chinese for non-native speakers such as foreign students and oversea Chinese. It has six levels.  

Our philosophy behind the materials 

I designed my own teaching materials based on over 15 years teaching experiences in the UK and China, and also my own experiences of learning Korean and Spanish. The materials were designed based on the theoretical framework below:​​

  1. Natural Pronunciation Guidance
    Our programme adopts a natural pronunciation approach, focusing on gradual improvement rather than forced correction. Each lesson includes clear phonetic goals, using a variety of listening and speaking activities to help students progressively approximate native-like pronunciation and intonation. Students are encouraged to speak with confidence, with individual differences in language development respected and supported.

  2. Vocabulary Teaching Approach
    Vocabulary instruction is based on multisensory input, integrating visuals, gestures, and cross-linguistic comparisons (e.g., English-Chinese) to support contextual understanding and retention. By building semantic networks and linking new words to prior knowledge, students enhance their memory efficiency. Vocabulary learning is also embedded within grammatical structures, promoting meaningful use and integration.

  3. Grammar Teaching Strategy
    We use a modular and constructivist approach to grammar instruction, starting with basic structures and gradually advancing in complexity. Through task-based activities and grammar-focused games, students acquire grammar in a hands-on, communicative context. This enables them to move from word groups to complete sentences, and eventually to coherent paragraph-level expression.

  4. Cultural Awareness Development
    The curriculum incorporates intercultural teaching principles, guiding students to explore linguistic differences, communicative norms, and cultural contexts. Language learning is framed not just as skill acquisition, but as a pathway to global awareness and cultural sensitivity. Engaging cultural content helps foster long-term interest in the Chinese language and a deep respect for its cultural heritage.

My teaching experience and teaching style

I taught in China and the UK for over 15 years. The age of my students range from 4 years old to adult learners. I like to apply new technology into my teaching, and I believe audio and visual aids, customised presentations with well-designed activities can facilitate teaching very well. 

 

I recorded a series of videos on how to study the literacy and film section in the exam of A Level Chinese, and two videos introducing the unique features of Chinese language on my Youtube Channel. You could see my teaching styles through these videos.     

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Timetable & class locations

Timetable 2024 - 2025

Spring Term: Jan 11th, 2025 (Sat) - Apr 5th, 2025 (Sat) - 11 weeks

Holiday: Feb 22nd, 2025 (Sat) - Half term

                Mar 15th, 2025 (Sat) - Teacher training        

Summer Term: Apr 26th, 2025 (Sat) - Jul 12th, 2025 (Sat) - 11 weeks

Holiday: May 31st (Sat) - Half term.

    Jun 21st, 2025 (Sat) - School Summer Fair

Autumn Term: Sept 6th, 2025 (Sat) - Dec 20th, 2025 (Sat) - 12 weeks

Holiday: October 25th (Sat) and Nov 1st, 2025 (Sat) - Half term.

October 11th, 2025 (Sat) - Teacher training​

  Dec 6th, 2025 (Sat) - St Mary Christmas Fair

Location

St. Marys C of E Primary School (Middle site)
Strafford Rd, Twickenham
TW1 3AD

Terms and Conditions

Download the terms and conditions of Squirrel Chinese here. 

Parents/carers can obtain a copy of the Safeguarding Policy and other related policies on request.

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