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 begins at age 2 and does not require potty training. This special program gives our youngest learners the opportunity to experience Stratford’s enriched STEAM preschool program and joyful learning environment while also developing Mandarin language skills.
Studies show that starting dual-language learning at a young age capitalizes on a critical window when children absorb language skills more readily than in later years. Our early preschoolers will be taught by a two-teacher team, one speaking English and the other Mandarin, to familiarize them with both languages while building foundational cognitive, social-emotional, language, and physical development skills. Through Stratford’s thoughtful early learning curriculum and plenty of play, students will also develop social skills, grow in independence, and gradually practice potty training through a parent-teacher partnership.
Students in Early Preschool Mandarin will learn beginning Chinese language and cultural concepts through music, stories, art, and circle time, setting them up for success in the following years of their Mandarin Bilingual preschool and pre-kindergarten journey and well beyond, as it has been shown that multilingual children gain a cognitive, academic, and social edge in academic settings.
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.
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.