1. 3+1 Stage Curriculum

The curriculum is based on a 3+1 stage concept.The full curriculum consists of 3 main stages: Beginning Stage, also called Blue Stage, Intermediate Stage, also called Red Stage, and Advanced Stage, also called Gold Stage. The last stage, Scholar Stage, is on top of the 3 main stages, representing the highest level of Chinese language proficiency in Minnesota China Academy.

Within each stage, there are 3 levels or steps. It will take one year to complete one level. After students have completed all three levels within one stage, they can decide whether they want to move on to the next stage.

2. Instruction Guidelines

• Language taught - standard Chinese language system used in Mainland China
• Emphasis on listening and speaking; other skills will be taught at a later stage
• Emphasis on the communicative and cultural component of the Chinese language
• Teaching methods - fun, activity-based, and function-oriented