AGES 4–6 / MANDARIN & EARLY READING
MPS: Little sounds.
Big stories.
Build Mandarin confidence alongside English. With Teacher Irene, children connect the sounds they hear with Zhuyin, then use those sounds to read words, sentences and stories.
Tap a friend to hear its sound!
- Years old
- 4–6
- Classes per school year
- 30
- Each class
- 1 hour
- Your teacher
- Irene
TWO LANGUAGES. ROOM TO GROW.
A strong start in Mandarin, too.
For children spending plenty of time learning English, MPS gives Mandarin its own space to grow. Listening, pronunciation, blending and reading come together in a playful course that builds foundations for primary school.
The same early-years age range as First Steps, ESM and Foundation, with a clear focus on Mandarin.
FROM SOUND TO STORY
Five steps that connect.
Recognising a symbol is a beginning. The next step is knowing how to use it. Children revisit these connected skills throughout the year.
- 01
Sound
Listen closelyHear differences between Mandarin sounds and tones.
- 02
Symbol
Make the connectionConnect a spoken sound with its written Zhuyin symbol.
- 03
Blend
Put sounds togetherCombine sounds, recognise patterns and try unfamiliar syllables.
- 04
Sentence
Read with meaningMove from individual words into short, meaningful sentences.
- 05
Reading
Enter the storyUnderstand what happened, answer questions and share ideas.
ACCURATE PRONUNCIATION STARTS WITH LISTENING
Hear the difference. Find the sound.
A child may recognise every symbol and still find blending difficult. Irene helps children notice similar sounds, explore how the mouth and tongue shape them, and practise using them in words and reading.
Which sound did I hear? How are these two sounds different?
THREE IMPORTANT CONNECTIONS
Give children a way to work it out.
Tones
Hear how a tone changes the meaning of a word. Practise listening and using tones while blending, rather than only reciting their names.
Compound finals
Explore how ㄧ, ㄨ and ㄩ combine with other finals. Recognise how sounds fit together instead of memorising each combination separately.
Three-part syllables
Break a syllable into smaller sound elements, then blend them again through rhythm, repetition and guided practice.
INSIDE AN MPS CLASS
Listen. Sing. Speak. Play. Read.
A one-hour class brings together different ways to practise. Familiar routines give children space to listen, join in, try and gradually do more for themselves.
- 01
Listen & discover
Hear sounds, spot differences and meet new sound patterns.
- 02
Sing & remember
Use songs, rhythm and chants to make practice memorable.
- 03
Speak & practise
Try sounds, tones and words with clear, encouraging guidance.
- 04
Break it down
Notice the sound elements and tone within a syllable.
- 05
Blend & read
Put sounds together and move into words, sentences and stories.
- 06
Understand & use
Talk about what was read, answer questions and express ideas.
MPS READERS
Use the sounds. Read the story.
Carefully sequenced Mandarin readers bring familiar Zhuyin patterns, vocabulary and sentences back into view. Children use what they have practised in a story, with understanding as much a part of the experience as reading aloud.
- 01Read with Irene
- 02Blend together
- 03Try independently
After reading, keep the conversation going.
- Who was in the story?
- What happened?
- Can you tell it in your own words?
The aim: a child who looks for clues and is willing to try an unfamiliar word.
LEARNING WITH IRENE
Clear guidance. Encouragement to try.
Irene teaches MPS and Foundation at STEAM SQUAD. Her warm, energetic approach gives children clear guidance and room to explore, make mistakes and find their own way.
In MPS, that means listening together, noticing a sound, trying a blend and returning to it in a sentence. Small, supported attempts build the confidence to keep reading.
More about Teacher Irene ↗BEFORE YOU JOIN
A few useful answers.
Who is MPS for?
MPS is for children aged 4–6, in the same early-years age range as First Steps, ESM and Foundation. It supports Mandarin pronunciation and early reading as children prepare for primary school. A trial helps us understand your child's starting point.
How is the course organised?
There are 30 classes per school year, each lasting one hour. Ask us about current class times when you enquire or book a trial.
Does my child need to know Zhuyin already?
The course begins with listening and the connection between sounds and symbols. Tell us what your child has already tried so Irene can help you find an appropriate starting point.
What if my child recognises symbols but cannot blend?
That connection is a central part of MPS. Children practise hearing differences, using tones, understanding compound finals and blending sound elements, then use those skills in words and sentences.
How does MPS fit alongside English learning?
MPS develops Mandarin pronunciation, Zhuyin decoding and reading comprehension. Foundation focuses on English phonics and literacy, while First Steps and ESM offer English-rich hands-on learning. We can help you discuss a suitable combination.
Is this mainly memorising symbols?
Children listen, sing, speak, play and read. The goal is to use Zhuyin as a tool: try a new word, put it into a sentence and understand what it means.
A CONFIDENT START, ONE SOUND AT A TIME
The next story starts here.
Meet Irene and find the right starting point for your child's Mandarin learning.
Book an MPS trialAges 4–6 · 30 one-hour classes per school year