When choosing an international school in Qingdao, parents have many options. They also have many considerations. Curriculum, price, and location (among others) are all factors to consider when selecting a school.

Yet though each family prioritises these factors differently, more and more families now recognise the importance of finding a school with a proven Chinese studies programme. As the 21st century continues to unfold, students fluent in both English and Chinese will hold a distinct advantage in the global job market.

At YCIS Qingdao, our Chinese Programme ranks as one of the best in the world. This begins with our ECE and Primary school programmes, where students are immersed in a bilingual environment from a young age.

To this end, one of the most impactful events of the year is Primary Chinese Culture Week. For one week each year, the entire Primary school holds daily activities to reinforce topics and themes studied throughout the year.

Year 1 Co-teacher Alicia Li highlights the week’s activities:

“This week, YCIS Qingdao celebrates Primary Chinese Culture Week. Students have participated in a host of exciting activities, including a Chinese Fashion Show, Chinese Spelling Bee, making and sharing traditional Chinese snacks, making miniature models of Chinese cities, and Chinese traditional games.

"These engaging activities strengthen and reinforce our students’ understanding of Chinese language and culture.

"During the Chinese Fashion Show, students donned distinctive Chinese dress and boomed with confidence as they strut across the stage.

"The Chinese Spelling Bee Contest was very intense – especially the competition between parents and teachers!

"Children made and enjoyed traditional Chinese snacks such as steamed buns, rou jia mo, and coloured noodles.

"In a series of handmade exhibits, students made miniature models of ancient and modern Chinese cities – displaying in full their creativity and attention to detail.

"On Friday, students participated in Dynasty Day, when students were divided into four groups (Han Dynasty, Tang Dynasty, Song Dynasty and Yuan Dynasty), and passionately waved their team flags throughout the many activities.”

Primary Chinese Culture Week is truly a unique and rewarding opportunity for students to dive deeper into Chinese language and culture while having a great time in the process!

For more information about our Chinese programme, or for more information about YCIS Qingdao, contact our admissions team today.