The Chinese language is increasingly being recognised as a life skill and an essential communication tool. Many parents now want their children to be effectively bilingual in both English and Mandarin. We all know the benefits of being bilingual, but getting started and sustaining the interest level in a second language; particularly Mandarin, can be daunting. How do we raise children who are truly bilingual, and how do we choose a curriculum that works for our children?

We speak to Ms Zhao Beiyan, Director of the Mandarin Department in EtonHouse International School Broadrick. Beiyan has been with EtonHouse for 19 years and is key to the development of an award-winning successful bilingual curriculum. Over the years, Beiyan and her team of Mandarin teachers have nurtured many cohorts of truly bilingual students who can confidently communicate in both Mandarin and English.