2. Distinguished Features of Sunglory CLP

The Chinese written system is more ideographic compared to alphabetic languages. Its pronunciation, meaning and grammar are completely different from the alphabetic language, English. Their distinguishing characteristics is the homophones/homographs: one character with multiple pronunciations, one character with multiple meanings, or multiple characters with the similar meanings. Chinese is an unique pictographic language.
Beginners may think that learning Chinese is more difficult than learning English. Actually, once the basic sight words are mastered, the next level is actually easier to overcome. Some of the high frequency words have no rules for decoding or imaging. This makes the first phase of
acquisition the most difficult for children because they are unable create concrete pictures in their minds to understand and master the characters. The Following Sunglory CLP strategies help children to pass the beginner period more easily. The children quickly develop a solid foundation and are ready to master the rules of the language and learn at an even more rapid pace in the future.
Based on the features of the Chinese written system and the analysis of children’s language acquisition, Sunglory CLP has developed the following main principles to facilitate children learning Chinese.
1. Children will learn Chinese in a Comprehensive Literacy classroom. They will integrate all components to create understanding in varied situations. This approach facilitates children’s ability to listen, speak, read and write in a second language.
2. Through Shared Book Reading and Second Language Acquisition strategies, Sunglory CLP will engage children in various fun and meaningful interactive activities. Children will not only learn characters within meaningful phrases and sentences through quality literature, but also develop their cognitive thinking and reading skills at their stage of language development.
3. Sunglory CLP provides engaging picture books, which depict familiar daily situations and promote children’s social, cultural and communication knowledge and skills.