For children who do not speak Chinese regularly at home, we offer CSL levels. This is recommended for Chinese-American parents and/or American parents whose children would like to learn Chinese. CSL emphasizes conversation in the beginning, gradually adding reading and writing over time.
Princeton Chinese Language School is committed to teaching Chinese as a Second Language. In order to assure that the program promotes a clear progression in learning, the following course descriptions outline the methodology that we have adopted for our students. This has been developed with input from both professional teachers and our CSL teachers who best understand the needs of students in our environment. This outline will serve as the basis for our current and future development. We will continue to adapt the program as required to meet the evolving needs of our students. This will include adding levels as enrollment grows.
雙語班
CSL1
Ideal for: Beginning 1- with no prior knowledge of Chinese.
Introduces children to the Chinese language and culture through
storybooks, providing context created by pictures and photos
- songs and chants
- games and interactive activities.
For young learners at this early stage of language development, basic listening and speaking skills are the goals of learning. In CSL1II characters are used in the lessons to create a language environment for children to grow up with the Chinese written language. Pinyin is not taught to children at these levels.
General Expectation: Follow instructions; understand and use basic vocabulary.
CSL2
Ideal for: Beginning 2 – with some basic knowledge of Chinese.
Introduces children to the Chinese language and culture through
- contexts created by pictures and photos.
- use of visual images as cue for oral language production
Literacy skills (reading and writing characters) are introduced. These classes will have some older children who do not have prior knowledge of Chinese, but can be expected to quickly master the basics. Beginner’s level pinyin will be introduced in 2II level. Reviews and expands on what was learned in CSL1.
General Expectation: Understand and speak longer phrases and sentences, and character recognition.
CSL3
Ideal for: Advanced Beginning – with little more knowledge of Chinese.
This class will continue to focus on conversation, adding character recognition and Pinyin application. Reviews and expands on what was learned in CSL2.
General Expectation: Understand and speak more complex sentences, character recognition and using pinyin.
CSL4
Ideal for: Low Intermediate 1 – with basic knowledge of Chinese.
This class will continue to focus on conversation, character recognition, and Pinyin application, with the addition of more writing. Reviews and expands on what was learned in CSL3.
General Expectation: Continued expansion of sentence patterns and vocabulary. Differentiate tones and pinyin combinations; write characters and simple sentences.
CSL5
Ideal for: Low Intermediate 2 – with knowledge of Chinese.
This class will continue to focus on conversation, character recognition, Pinyin application, and writing. Reviews and expands on what was learned in CSL4. General Expectation: Carry on increasingly challenging conversations. Read and write more complex characters and sentences.