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.
雙語班一I CSL1 (1I and 1II) – (Ages 4-6)
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.
Curriculum: Storybook series, Far East My Chinese Book 1
Class 1. Room 234. Teacher: 余 南 Ms. Nancy Chen. TA: 林孝軒 Brenda Lin. Rm Parent: Abi Manikandan
Class 2. Room 201. Teacher: 劉瑞枝 Ms. Jui Chih Liu. TA: 王真格 Tiffany Wang. Rm Parent: Jennifer Ko
CSL2 (2I and 2II) – (Ages 6-8)
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.
Curriculum: Far East My Chinese Book 2, Everyday Chinese for Children I
Class 1. Room 215. Teacher: 劉佩瑜 Ms. Pei-Yu. TA: 徐揚哲 Vic Hsu. Rm Parent: Robert Chiang
Class 2. Room 211. Teacher: 蔡宗穎 Ms. Joyce Tsay. TA: 吳俊緯 Jonathan Wu. Rm Parent: Debbie Feder
CSL3 – (Ages 8+)
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.
Curriculum: Far East Everyday Chinese for Children II
Room 215. Teacher: 林怡璇 Ms. Yi-Hsuan Lin. TA: 邵裴傑 Peter Shaw. Rm Parent: Elizabeth Laws
CSL4 – (Ages 9+)
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.
Curriculum: MeiZhou Chinese Level 1, Part I (Lesson 1 ~8)
Room 213. Teacher: 黃智媚 Ms. Amy. Room Parent: MinMin Yen.
CSL5 – (10-11+)
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.
Curriculum: MeiZhou Chinese Level 1, Part II (Lesson 9 ~ 16)
Room 100. Teacher: 方艾華 Ms. Tracey Lee Room Parent: Akila Chandars
CSL6 – (11-12+)
Ideal for: Intermediate 1 – with knowledge of Chinese.
This class will continue to focus on advanced level conversation, character recognition, Pinyin application, and writing. Reviews and expands on what was learned in CSL5.
General Expectation: Carry on increasingly challenging conversations. Read and write more complex characters and sentences.
Curriculum: MeiZhou Chinese Level 2, Part I (Lesson 1 ~ 5)
Room 101. Teacher: 謝芳玫 Ms. Fang-Mei Wu. Room Parent: Raymond Chai.
CSL7 &8 – (12-14+)
Ideal for: Intermediate 2 – with knowledge of Chinese.
This class will continue to focus on advanced level conversation, character recognition, Pinyin application, and writing. Reviews and expands on what was learned in CSL6.
General Expectation: Carry on increasingly challenging conversations. Read and write more complex characters and sentences.
Curriculum: MeiZhou Chinese Level 2, Part II (Lesson 6 ~ 10)
Room 101. Teacher: 殷玲玲 Ms. Abbie In. Room Parent: Rebecca Stout.
CSL9 – (14+)
Ideal for: Advanced 1 – with knowledge of Chinese.
This class will continue to focus on advanced level conversation, character recognition, Pinyin application, and writing. Reviews and expands on what was learned in CSL7 & 8.
General Expectation: Carry on increasingly challenging conversations. Read and write more complex characters and sentences.
Curriculum: MeiZhou Chinese Level 3, Part I (Lesson 1 ~ 5)
Room 104. Teacher: 黃雪尊 Ms. Sheue-Tzuen Liang. Room Parent: Safia Mahmood.
Special thanks to our 校務助教 Office TA: 孟繁誠 Patrick Meng.
Updated: Feb. 13, 2012