Mandarin World Language
Stratford’s Mandarin program is designed to help students build strong language skills, cultural understanding, and confidence in an increasingly connected world. Beginning in early childhood and continuing through high school, students have opportunities to develop Mandarin through immersive, specialty, and enrichment experiences.
Research shows that learning more than one language can strengthen cognitive flexibility, problem-solving, communication, and cultural awareness. At Stratford, Mandarin learning is both rigorous and joyful, giving students meaningful opportunities to listen, speak, read, and write while making connections across language, academics, and culture.
Across our Mandarin pathways, our goals are to build strong communication skills, support growing proficiency and biliteracy, meet Stratford’s high academic expectations, and help students develop curiosity, confidence, and appreciation for other cultures.
Students explore Chinese language, culture, and traditions, developing a broader understanding of the world and respect for others.
Through meaningful interactions and practice, students gain confidence expressing themselves and communicating in Mandarin.
Multilingual children gain a cognitive, academic, and social edge in educational settings and beyond.
Stratford School was selected as a 2025 CLASS Outstanding K–16 Chinese Program Award winner, recognizing excellence in curriculum innovation, student learning, and community engagement.
Mandarin World Language
Stratford’s Mandarin program is designed to help students build strong language skills, cultural understanding, and confidence in an increasingly connected world. Beginning in early childhood and continuing through high school, students have opportunities to develop Mandarin through immersive, specialty, and enrichment experiences.
Research shows that learning more than one language can strengthen cognitive flexibility, problem-solving, communication, and cultural awareness. At Stratford, Mandarin learning is both rigorous and joyful, giving students meaningful opportunities to listen, speak, read, and write while making connections across language, academics, and culture.
Across our Mandarin pathways, our goals are to build strong communication skills, support growing proficiency and biliteracy, meet Stratford’s high academic expectations, and help students develop curiosity, confidence, and appreciation for other cultures.
Students explore Chinese language, culture, and traditions, developing a broader understanding of the world and respect for others.
Through meaningful interactions and practice, students gain confidence expressing themselves and communicating in Mandarin.
Multilingual children gain a cognitive, academic, and social edge in educational settings and beyond.
Stratford School was selected as a 2025 CLASS Outstanding K–16 Chinese Program Award winner, recognizing excellence in curriculum innovation, student learning, and community engagement.
Explore our Mandarin Programs Program and STEAM Curriculum
Mandarin Bilingual Early Preschool
Our Early Preschool Mandarin Bilingual Program welcomes children beginning at age 2, taking advantage of a unique window in early childhood when children are especially receptive to language learning. Through our two-teacher model, with one teacher speaking Mandarin and the other English, children naturally develop skills in both languages throughout the day, whether Mandarin is their home language or a new language to explore.
Through songs, stories, art, play, and everyday interactions, children strengthen their Mandarin and English language skills while building confidence, independence, and essential early learning skills. Our warm, nurturing environment makes bilingual learning a joyful part of their first school experience.
Potty training is not required to enroll. Teachers partner with families to support this important milestone at each child’s pace. The program provides a strong foundation for continued language development in our Mandarin Bilingual Preschool and Pre-kindergarten programs.
Mandarin Bilingual Preschool
Our Mandarin Bilingual Preschool Program builds strong foundations in language, literacy, numeracy, and core academic skills while immersing children in both English and Mandarin. Mandarin instruction is woven throughout at least 50% of the school day, giving children meaningful opportunities to listen, speak, learn, and build confidence in a second language.
Through a team-teaching model with one English-speaking teacher and one Mandarin-speaking teacher, students experience an engaging and supportive learning environment that nurtures their development in both languages. Teachers emphasize early literacy and math development while incorporating hands-on exploration, problem-solving, and inquiry across the curriculum. This collaborative approach allows teachers to meet individual needs while creating a classroom where children feel secure, supported, and ready to take risks in their learning.
Language and culture go hand in hand. Through stories, songs, art, and celebrations, children develop an appreciation for Chinese culture and traditions while building cultural awareness, curiosity, and respect for others.
Mandarin Bilingual Pre-Kindergarten
Our Pre-kindergarten Mandarin Bilingual Program gives children a rich experience learning in both English and Mandarin. Led by a collaborative two-teacher team, the program helps children build language and academic skills across both languages through meaningful, engaging learning experiences.
A key benefit of bilingual learning is transfer: when children understand a concept in one language, that knowledge can support learning in the other. Through stories, conversations, classroom routines, and hands-on experiences, students make connections across English and Mandarin while strengthening vocabulary, comprehension, and communication skills.
Students also begin recognizing approximately 30 commonly used Chinese characters in meaningful, familiar contexts, building early awareness of written Mandarin without placing an emphasis on formal writing.
These experiences help children see language as a tool for thinking and learning, while building confidence and a strong foundation for Kindergarten and beyond.
Mandarin Kindergarten Bilingual
Stratford’s Kindergarten Mandarin Bilingual Program helps students build strong academic foundations and confidence in communicating in both English and Mandarin. Students work toward mastering Stratford learning outcomes across both languages while deepening listening comprehension, everyday conversation skills, early reading with Pinyin, Chinese character recognition, and beginning writing.
Language comes to life through conversation, stories, songs, games, and cultural experiences that strengthen vocabulary, pronunciation, tones, and comprehension. As students learn across both languages, they make connections that support academic understanding, flexible thinking, and their growing ability to communicate ideas in different ways.
Our goal is to help students become confident bilingual learners who can listen, speak, read, and write in both English and Mandarin while building cultural understanding and a strong foundation for continued learning.
Elementary Mandarin After-School Program
Stratford’s Mandarin After-School Program gives elementary students additional time to build language skills in a fun, immersive setting while providing families with convenient after-school care.
Students strengthen listening and speaking skills through hands-on activities that bring Chinese language and culture to life. Experiences may include calligraphy, watercolor, dance, traditional games, cooking, and cultural celebrations.
The program also includes homework support, giving students opportunities to make connections between what they are learning in English and Mandarin while continuing to build confidence using the language.
Elementary Mandarin Specialty
Stratford’s Mandarin specialty class introduces elementary students to Mandarin through engaging, twice-weekly instruction during the school day. Students build skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing while learning about Chinese language and culture.
Classes are designed to support students with different levels of Mandarin experience, from beginners to students who already speak or understand some of the language. Heritage and Non-Heritage classes help students build from where they are and continue making progress.
Our goal is to help students develop strong Mandarin language skills, cultural understanding, and confidence in communicating in another language.