10 Must-Haves for Teaching a Chinese Immersion Classroom
Are you a first-year Chinese teacher looking for classroom setup ideas and Chinese learning resources?
We’ve compiled a list of our top 10 must-haves for a Chinese Immersion Classroom. These are materials we've been using daily for the past five years. Read on to discover how each one helps create a fun and supportive environment for your young Chinese learners.
1. Chinese Calendar and Days of the Week Display
These two resources are an essential part of our morning routine. Every morning, we go over the year, month, date, and any special events happening that week in our school and classroom. Then, we move on to the days of the week chart. I always invite my little helpers to find the correct days of the week cards. Finally, we chant together: "昨天是..., 今天是..., 明天是..." A simple 5-minute activity to start a wonderful day of learning!
2. Daily Visual Schedule Cards in Mandarin Chinese
Our kids work the best with a schedule!
After calendar time, we review our daily schedule. These visual schedule cards help my first graders understand the flow of the day and anticipate transitions. No more "什麼時候吃午飯？怎麼還沒有到電腦課呢？" because they can see exactly what to expect throughout the day. It keeps everything organized and helps them keep track of their day effortlessly!
If you're working with older kids, you can write the time or period number next to the Chinese cards on the board.
You can get the simplified or traditional Chinese cards.
3. Visual instruction cards in Mandarin Chinese
These cards are the perfect tool to help your little Chinese learners understand multi-step directions and complete tasks independently. As I give directions, I place each card in order on the board for my students to follow. This tool has worked wonderfully with my first graders and helped them become independent learners!
Click here to grab the Visual instruction cards in simplified or traditional Chinese.
4. Chinese Classroom Job Chart
My little Chinese learners LOVE being my helpers! These classroom jobs are perfect for teaching them about roles and responsibilities while keeping our day running smoothly. This system fits right into our classroom routine and gives us a real sense of teamwork and belonging because we work as a TEAM every day.
Click here to grab the Chinese classroom job cards in simplified or traditional Chinese.
5. Hand Signal Posters in Mandarin Chinese
These posters in Chinese with pinyin show your students different hand signals for various needs, like using the bathroom, getting a tissue, drinking water, etc.
By using these nonverbal signals, students can communicate their needs without disrupting the flow of the lesson, and teachers can quickly and efficiently give permissions, maintaining a smooth and productive classroom environment.
Click here to grab the hand signal posters and editable templates in simplified or traditional Chinese.
6. “What to Do When I Don't Know a Chinese Character" Posters
This is one of my all-time favorite charts in my Chinese Immersion Classroom. We all know how eager our students are to ask for help right away, so we wanted to give them some tools in their "toolkit" to figure out words on their own, hold them accountable, and foster independence.
These posters have transformed my first graders into pros at using word walls and the Chinese picture dictionary in their folders. When a student says, "I don't know how to write this Chinese word," just point them to the poster and watch them follow the steps to use a strategy to figure it out themselves.
Click here to grab the “遇到不会写的字怎么办“ posters and editable templates in simplified or traditional Chinese.
7. Chinese Word Wall and Picture Dictionary
We love giving students exposure to Chinese characters and resources to find the words they need. Here are some of our absolute must-haves:
Word Wall - High-frequency Chinese words with visuals to help students identify and remember them.
Individual Picture Dictionary - A favorite during writing time! Plus, it’s a fun coloring activity for my early finishers.
Vocabulary Wall - Words organized by category, so students can take the ring of cards to their seats to help with reading and writing.
Chinese Character Stroke Writing Rules - A friendly reminder for my Chinese learners to write their characters in the correct order.
These tools have been game-changers in helping our students become more independent and confident in their Chinese language learning journey.
Click here to get the Chinese character writing rules in simplified or traditional Chiense.
Click here to get our Chinese picture dictionary in simplified or traditional Chiense.
Click here to get the Chinese classroom bulletin board headers.
8. Classroom Calm Down Corner
A calm down corner is a quiet space where students can go when they’re feeling overwhelmed, upset, or just need a little break to reset. It helps children practice self-regulation, name their emotions, and return to learning when they’re ready.
In my classroom, I include Chinese posters and visual cards with simple breathing and stretching strategies, along with sensory items, calming coloring sheets, and a few picture books. When a student needs a moment, they can visit the corner, choose a calming tool that works for them, and take the time they need to feel ready again.
Click here to get everything needed to set up your calm down corner in simplified or traditional Chinese.
9. Voice Level Charts in Chinese
Tired of constantly reminding your students of the appropriate voice level during activities? This Chinese Voice Level Charts makes it so much easier.
At the start of the school year, we establish expectations for each voice level, ranging from 0 to 5. For example, during independent reading time, the voice level is 0 (silence 安靜). For group work, we use voice level 3 (normal conversation 正常說話). When students are presenting, they should use level 4 (projected voice 大聲說話). Level 5 is reserved for outdoor activities, like cheering for a friend in a race!
The visuals and explanation phrases help students understand the expectations and keep class activities running smoothly. During learning centers, I also assign specific voice levels to each group so everyone knows how quietly they should be working.
Click here to grab the voice level charts in simplified or traditional Chinese.
10. Classroom Rules and Expectation Posters in Chinese
These classroom expectation posters are great for teaching clear, kid-friendly guidelines in Chinese. I print and display them around the classroom to support routines like lining up quietly and working independently at desks.
At the beginning of the year, we go over each poster together. I model the behaviors and invite students to role-play what the expectations look and sound like. It helps young learners understand what’s expected and builds a positive learning environment.
Click here to grab the classroom rules and expectations in simplified or traditional Chinese.