How the Bilingual Program Works
Stamford uses a one-teacher bilingual model, with bilingual educators moving between English and Mandarin as students learn. This helps students make connections between both languages through inquiry, discussion and everyday classroom experiences.
Teachers use visuals, gestures, context and translanguaging strategies to support understanding, while giving students time to build confidence before they are expected to communicate more independently in their second language.
A Curriculum That Develops With Your Child
The Bilingual Program is rooted in the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) and aligned with ACTFL, Common Core and China National Curriculum standards.
Students develop listening, speaking, reading and writing while continuing to explore the concepts and subjects expected at each stage of school.
In Pre-Kindergarten, language learning is playful and highly interactive. As students move through Elementary School, they work with increasingly complex spoken and written Mandarin and have more opportunities to use both languages across different learning contexts.
Joining the Bilingual Program
Entry requirements vary according to grade because the language students need to access the program becomes more demanding as they progress.
For Pre-Kindergarten and KG1, there are no formal language assessments. Children should be able to communicate using simple English phrases and be open to learning in both English and Mandarin.
From KG2, an English language assessment is required. Students applying to Grades 1 to 5 complete assessments in both English and Mandarin so Stamford can understand their current proficiency and whether they are ready to access the bilingual curriculum at that grade level.
Understanding Your Child's Progress
Language development is monitored throughout the program so teaching can respond to each student's progress.
Mandarin is assessed through placement and internal assessments, with STAMP proficiency testing from Grade 3 covering listening, speaking, reading and writing.
English progress is measured using the same approaches used in Stamford's non-bilingual classes, helping ensure students continue to meet the academic expectations of their grade.
Become Part of the Stamford Community
Join a community of students, educators and families from around the world, where your child can feel known, explore what interests them and grow in confidence as they find their own path.