Mr. Du has been engaged in Chinese education since he completed his postgraduate studies at Stanford. Starting from his own experience, he shared the gains and experiences that bilingual education has brought to him.
First of all, in terms of brain development, thinking training, and multicultural vision cultivation, language learning can bring children deeper thinking, teach them to respect culture, and better understand where their "roots" are. From a practical point of view, bilingual education and intercultural communication skills can not only help children enter world-class universities, but also bring more opportunities in their future lives.
"Ensuring that Chinese children fully understand Chinese culture while receiving English immersion education" is the goal that Harrow's Chinese education is striving to achieve.
Chinese Education System
at Upper School
Harrow's Chinese courses are in line with China's national curriculum standards and infused with Harrow's teaching characteristics.
The cultivation of four core competencies:
Reading of Classic Masterpiece, Training of Writing Skills, Literature Appreciation and Oral Expression.
For example, we have previously offered students an interdisciplinary lesson on the topic of Chinese cuisine. After appreciating the famous articles about food, the students were asked to make a map of Chinese food. While drawing the maps, students also need to apply knowledge of Chinese writing, geography, history, art, and other aspects. Teachers of various disciplines in our school will often communicate with each other to explore the possibility of cooperation. Interdisciplinary and targeted training can allow students to exercise their comprehensive ability to use language.
We pay attention to quality reading. After selecting classic books, teachers will lead students to read them deeply and conduct corresponding tests.
Our school emphasizes the promotion of traditional culture. Traditional cultural activities such as the Mid-Autumn Festival celebration and the Chinese New Year lion dance are also opportunities for Chinese learning. Traditional calligraphy classes allow students to deeply immerse themselves in traditional Chinese culture.
The Upper School Chinese teaching team has an average teaching experience of 15 years, and many teachers have experience in tutoring for high school entrance examinations and international standard examinations. Outside of the classroom, the Chinese Department also introduced various events such as debate clubs, recitation competitions, super curriculum courses, creative writing, and Chinese embroidery as support for the cultivation of Chinese ability.
In a farming activity for boarders, when others hesitated in the mud field, Ronghui, who is one of our boarders, skillfully started planting rice and catching loach in the rice field under the guidance of the teacher. On weekends, the boarding staff often provide such theme activities for boarders, and the enjoyable atmosphere allows him to actively participate in various activities together with his teachers and classmates.
He said, “My most unforgettable memory in the boarding house was Movie Night. I sat on the sofa with the boarding house tutors and classmates, eating popcorn and drinking soda and discussing the plot of the movie. It feels like a relaxing and enjoyable time with the family. This is like my second home.”
Boarding life is divided into three parts: pastoral care, academic study, and extracurricular activities. In addition to the rest area, the boarding houses are also equipped with study rooms, game rooms, music rooms, reading rooms, leisure areas and other areas.
Different from other forms of boarding, Mr Henman uses "Family-Styled" to describe boarding life. Students enjoy a variety of boarding activities in a family-like atmosphere, make friends of different ages and cultural backgrounds, talk to teachers about their troubles and build a relationship of mutual trust.
Boarding staff can help students balance activities and academics after school with academic tutoring and support everyone in their lives.
In addition to personal care, the Boarding Housemaster and Housemistress also serve as academic supervisors. After the daytime study is completed, they provide after-school tutoring services to the boarders to ensure that they complete their homework in time before starting evening activities.
Evening activities include sports, economics, computer, psychology, English drama, music, creativity, and other fields. In the process of participating in the activities, the children can fully display their personal talents and enhance communication with other boarders, which will greatly enhance their social skills and promote the development of a positive attitude.
On weekends, 5-day boarders leave school to spend time with their families, while 7-day boarders can participate in themed weekend activities, such as farming, potted plant making, moss cleaning in wetland conservation parks, simulated skiing during the Winter Olympics, drama rehearsal, and making rice dumplings during the Dragon Boat Festival. These various events and community service activities allow children to learn to serve society, enhance their sense of responsibility, and develop a pro-social character and good moral qualities while cultivating their interests.
“Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school.”
——Albert Einstein
The life-changing Harrow boarding life exemplifies this. The full-English and all-around boarding life brought by our boarding team not only improves the students' English ability, but also enables them to self-manage, discover their interests, and enhance their self-confidence and sense of responsibility. These can be qualities that will benefit them for life even after they leave school.
Harrow’s Holistic Education enables children to learn the traditions of Chinese culture and master the ability required by global development in the stage of shaping their outlook on life and values.
During the summer vacation, Harrow Haikou will be open for school tours every Tuesday and Thursday. If you want to know more about Harrow Education, you are welcome to contact our admissions officer for a campus tour appointment!
