SUIS Curriculum "East Meets West"The SUIS Shang Yin Campus international stream allows students to work towards graduating with an international bilingual education. Students are also required to take up a mandatory musical instrument. As a result, English, Chinese, Math, and Music are taught daily as separate subjects. These lessons are streamed so that individual learning needs can be met appropriately.The SUIS Shang Yin Campus international stream curriculum is a combination of thematic and subject-oriented approaches using teaching techniques practiced in the East and West. The thematic curriculum is based on the world famous International Baccalaureate curriculum (IB), whereby each class is taught by two teachers: one western teacher and one Chinese teacher. IB lessons allow students to learn both languages by immersion. Respectively, 70 percent of the time is devoted to English, 30 percent to Chinese. Additional support is available to students, if required, through their attendance at the school’s Community Language and Cultural Centre. Scroll down to read this page in one sitting, or use the links below to jump to the section you want. Also see the timetable page for specific class times.
Thematic approaches:
Subject-oriented approaches: East Meets WestFor centuries, Eastern and Western civilizations have remained distinct, developing their own respective philosophies, customs, and societies. Today these distinctions between East and West have become more visible and relevant than ever before. Respecting, understanding, and utilizing these differences create the core of SUIS’s educational philosophy.
How Students Benefit
How Teachers Benefit All teachers strive for ways to improve their quality and adjust their methods appropriately as they gain new knowledge about learning each day. The SUIS curriculum creates an ideal environment for both Chinese and Western teachers to exchange and learn from not only each other, but from the large variety of international students under their guidance. Each day, SUIS teachers move closer and closer towards a truly globalized education philosophy that will redefine international learning in the future.
International Baccalaureate (IB)"The International Baccalaureate (IB) is a recognized leader in the field of international education, encouraging students to be active learners, well-rounded individuals and engaged world citizens. The organization offers to schools three programmes: the Diploma Programme, the Middle Years Programme and the Primary Years Programme."- www.ibo.org The International Baccalaureate (IB) provides the world’s most advanced learning framework, underpinned by a highly professional learning environment based on the principles of the IB delivered through an English and Chinese language medium.
The IB program helps students develop their thinking skills naturally and progressively in a stimulating environment. Students at the primary level will begin with motor skills and concrete thinking, steadily work theirs way towards abstract concepts, and finally reach a constructive and self-sufficient learning approach. During these phases, students will also learn how to be active and responsible citizens in a global environment making the IB program a perfect companion to SUIS’s East meets West core. IB/PYPThis is SUIS's integration of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primay Years Programme (PYP) into specific subject areas. The subject areas of the IB/PYP are language, social studies, mathematics, science and technology, arts, and personal, social and physical education. Students are required to learn Chinese during the program. Assessment is carried out by teachers according to strategies provided by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO), and with respect to guidelines to what the students should learn specified in the curriculum model. The philosophy of the PYP is to make the students into 'inquirers, thinkers, communicators, risk takers, knowledgeable, principled, caring, open-minded, well-balanced, and reflective'.
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Course Summary Number of classes per week: 7 EnglishEnglish is the main mode of communication throughout the school (including interviews, examinations, and administration). English language lessons are taught on a regular basis of 2 hours per day, and with the exception of the Mandarin course teachers, all teachers are native English speakers.SUIS Shang Yin Campus recognizes that English intake is different for each student. Throughout the year, students will be grouped and streamed in English classes appropriate to their ability and level of comprehension. All students, even if they are first language English speakers, will be given a placement test upon registration. Younger students (ages 6 and under) will be given a simple oral test conducted by the department head.
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Course Summary Number of classes per week: 9 ChineseSUIS Shang Yin Campus has no doubt that in the coming years the ability to exchange in both English and Chinese will be a valuable social and professional asset. Mandarin Chinese makes up the other 30 percent of our school’s program and all students will have a 2 hour Mandarin lesson each day of the week. Just as the school recognizes different levels of English intake, Mandarin courses are divided between beginner, intermediate, and advanced classes. A placement test will be administered upon registration.
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Course Summary Number of classes per week: 8 MathematicsExceptional math skills are mandatory for numerous professional fields. Therefore SUIS understands the importance of a mathematics curriculum that is challenging and useful, ensuring students master basic arithmetic before graduation. Lessons are instructed in both English and Chinese and under both classical and contemporary methods, adhering to high principles and standards.
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Course Summary Number of classes per week: 4 Third Language Program or Extra ESL & CSL ClassIn order to satisfy the needs of international expatriates from all over the world, SUIS Shang Yin Campus offers a special third language program including Japanese, Korean, French, Spanish, Hebrew, Italian, and Russian. This program will help expatriate students retain and improve their native culture and language skills while learning English and Chinese in Shanghai. Expatriate students who enroll in this program will have an additional 40-80 minute lesson each day of the week.
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Course Summary Number of classes per week: 5 MusicMusic education plays an important role at SUIS. Learning an instrument creates a sense of spirit and community in the school, and gives our students a much needed opportunity to reflect on their artistic development. Music is also emotionally rewarding and a source of joy to anyone involved. Research claims that learning an instrument can develop the mind’s abstract reasoning skills. Mastering an instrument into adulthood can also raise an individual’s social standing.
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Course Summary Number of classes per week: 3 ArtStudents will use art class to express themselves creatively through different mediums. Students will experience with techniques developed by history’s greatest artists from all over the world and gain an appreciation for visual beauty and aesthetic. Classes are lead by experienced art teachers and held in professional-level studios.
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Course Summary Number of classes per week: 1 Physical EducationFrequent exercise is a vital part of life and learning. SUIS believes in the connection between physical activity and the brain. The healthier students become, the more confident they are in the classroom. P.E. introduces students to a wide variety of physical activities and provides important lessons about teamwork, health, nutrition, and physical development.
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Course Summary Number of classes per week: 3 After School ActivitiesStudents may sign-up for after school activities on the first week of each new term. activities include, but are not limited to:
- Math Club - Chinese Mandarin - Homework - Choir - Private Instrument - Tae Kwon Do - Gymnastics - Basketball - Track and Field - Soccer - Chess - Arts and Crafts - Drama - Yoga - Computers A variety of classes to choose from, included in tuition at no extra cost Number of classes per week: 2 Community Language and Cultural CenterThe Language and Cultural Center is a tutorial network for students and faculty members looking to improve their English and Mandarin skills. The LCC is available at certain hours and is staffed by trained language specialists. The center is the ideal place for students seeking extra assistance in their English or Mandarin homework.
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Course Summary Number of classes per week: everyday, certain hours |
Chinese中文
Japanese日本語
Korean한국어