Shrewsbury launches first ever premium Mandarin-English bilingual programme
Shrewsbury International School Bangkok city campus announces Hanqing Bilingual Pathway
Shrewsbury International School Bangkok City Campus proudly announces the launch of the Hanqing Bilingual Pathway, Thailand’s first premium bilingual programme offered by a leading international school under a British curriculum.
Embracing Shrewsbury’s concept of One Campus, Two Pathways, parents and students can now choose between the British curriculum with English as the medium of instruction, or the British curriculum with both English and Chinese as the medium of instruction, which is the Hanqing Bilingual Pathway programme.
Available to students from early years 1 to 2 (aged 3 to 4) onwards, the Hanqing Bilingual Pathway lays a strong foundation in Mandarin and English early on, promoting multicultural understanding, enhancing opportunities in today’s globalised world, and equipping children with the skills and academic preparation needed to excel as high-performing global citizens.
Amanda Dennison, Founding Principal of Shrewsbury International School Bangkok City Campus, spoke on the Hanqing Bilingual Pathway programme as reflective of Shrewsbury’s progressive vision.
“This marks the first time a premium British international school has introduced two pathways within the same institution. The Hanqing Bilingual Pathway enables students to study subjects in both Mandarin and English languages equally, reflecting the school’s progressive vision, commitment to the future, and comprehension of the global market’s evolving needs.
“This pathway offers parents and students an additional education option, tailored to their individual goals while staying true to the school’s mission to provide students with extensive opportunities and unwavering support. This honours the nearly 500-year legacy of the British curriculum at Shrewsbury School in England while embracing the demands of a rapidly changing world.”
Luna Cao, Principal of Hanqing Bilingual Pathway, also shared her thoughts, commenting on the numerous opportunities the programme provides for students at Shrewsbury.
“The Hanqing Bilingual Pathway unlocks numerous opportunities for students. With thoughtfully designed content, the programme provides a holistic language experience encompassing academics, skills, and enriched learning environments. The programme is balanced with 45% Mandarin, 45% English, and 10% Thai, and is delivered by native-speaking teachers holding qualifications equivalent to the UK Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
“The long-term vision of the Hanqing Bilingual Pathway is to establish a strong academic foundation from an early age, enabling students to excel in senior school, university, and their future careers. Graduates will achieve native language proficiency, gain a deeper appreciation of diverse cultures, broaden their global perspectives, and foster a nuanced understanding of both Eastern and Western traditions which are essential components for achieving success in an interconnected world.”
The Hanqing Bilingual Pathway at Shrewsbury International School Bangkok City Campus represents a premium bilingual education option offered by a British-curriculum international school, tailored to meet the demands of the future.
The programme focuses on multilingual learning by integrating Mandarin, the world’s most widely spoken language, with English, the global lingua franca and primary language of business and commerce. The programme cultivates language proficiency, cultural adaptability, and critical thinking skills, employing an integrated learning framework based on CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning) techniques to enhance language acquisition through subject-based content.
Additionally, the programme expands professional opportunities for students. Graduates of year 6 in the Hanqing Bilingual Pathway will achieve HSK 3 to 4 Chinese language proficiency, equipping them to pursue IGCSE and A-Levels, a rigorous British-based senior school curriculum, and gain a competitive edge in the future job market.
The Hanqing Bilingual Pathway sets a new benchmark for bilingual education in Thailand, empowering the Thai youth to become global citizens with exceptional competitive potential on the global platform. The official launch of the Hanqing Bilingual Pathway featured a panel discussion titled The Transformative Power of Bilingual Education: Merging Mandarin and English.
This engaging session explored the significance and opportunities of bilingual education and was honoured by esteemed speakers, including Doctor Lu Jia, Director of Bilingual Pathway; Assistant Professor Doctor Apiradee Charoensanee, Head of the Chinese Language Department, Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn University; and Patricia-Tanchanok Good, a Shrewsbury alumna and soon-to-be mother of two.
Attendees were also captivated by Chinese cultural performances presented by Chinese musicians and Shrewsbury students, leaving a lasting impression.
Please visit Shrewsbury International School Bangkok’s website for more details on the Hanqing Bilingual Pathway.
Press release
Latest Thailand News
