📘 YCT Level 1（7岁+｜Beginner Pre-Foundation Stage｜零基础入门）
YCT Level 1 is the starting point of the Herts Mandarin pathway, designed for children aged 7+ with no prior Mandarin experience. It is a beginner pre-foundation stage that helps students build early language skills and confidence for future learning.
In this stage, lessons are delivered with approximately 80% Chinese and 20% English support. This creates an immersive environment where children can naturally understand and learn Mandarin, while still feeling fully supported as complete beginners.
Learning takes place through songs, games, and interactive activities. Students are introduced to basic pinyin, simple vocabulary, and short sentence patterns. At the same time, they begin learning Chinese characters in a creative and visual way, focusing on understanding structure and stroke order rather than memorisation. This helps children develop a positive and natural awareness of Chinese characters.
The course also includes simple cultural topics such as festivals and everyday life, helping children connect language learning with culture. Home learning includes around 15 minutes of workbook practice and 15 minutes of App-based activities each week to reinforce classroom learning.
By the end of YCT Level 1, students can understand basic pinyin, use simple words and sentences, take part in classroom communication, recognise and write basic characters, and are ready to progress to Jinbu 1.
YCT Level 1是整个课程体系的起点，面向7岁以上零基础学生，属于入门预基础阶段（Beginner Pre-Foundation Stage），为后续系统学习建立语言基础与学习信心。在这一阶段，课堂以约80%中文与20%英文辅助支持的方式进行，使学生在沉浸式语言环境中自然理解并习得中文，同时确保零基础学生能够顺利参与课堂学习。
课程通过儿歌、游戏互动与情境化教学，引导学生建立基础拼音系统、词汇认知与简单句型表达。同时，学生开始接触基础汉字学习，以创意化、视觉化与游戏化方式理解汉字结构，并逐步学习笔画与笔顺。汉字学习强调理解与运用，而非机械记忆，使学生在轻松愉快的课堂体验中逐步建立汉字意识。
课程同时融合基础文化内容，包括中国节日、日常生活与简单文化认知，使语言学习与文化理解同步发展。课后学习包括每周约15分钟练习册作业与15分钟App学习任务，用于巩固课堂内容并强化听力与词汇能力。
完成YCT Level 1后，学生能够掌握基础拼音规则，使用简单词汇与句型进行表达，完成基础课堂交流，认识并书写基础汉字，并顺利进入Jinbu 1阶段。
📘 YCT Level 1｜FAQ
1. YCT Level 1适合什么样的孩子？
Who is YCT Level 1 suitable for?
YCT Level 1适合7岁及以上零基础学生，是专为从未学习过中文的孩子设计的入门预基础阶段课程，也适合需要重新建立语言基础的学习者。
YCT Level 1 is suitable for children aged 7+ with no prior Mandarin experience. It is designed as a beginner pre-foundation stage and also suitable for learners who need to rebuild their basic language foundation.
2. YCT Level 1的核心学习目标是什么？
What is the main goal of YCT Level 1?
课程的核心目标是帮助学生建立中文入门能力，包括拼音系统、基础词汇、简单句型以及初步汉字认知，并逐步建立学习信心。完成YCT Level 1学习后，学生能够顺利参加YCT Level 1考试，并通常具备通过考试的能力。
The main goal is to build foundational Mandarin skills, including pinyin, basic vocabulary, simple sentences, and early character awareness, while developing confidence in learning Chinese. After completing YCT Level 1, students are able to take the YCT Level 1 exam and are typically well prepared to pass it.
3. 学生在YCT Level 1会学习哪些内容？
What do children learn in YCT Level 1?
课程内容包括儿歌、游戏互动、情境对话、基础拼音学习、YCT核心词汇、简单句型练习，以及创意汉字入门学习（笔画与笔顺）。
Lessons include songs, interactive games, situational dialogues, basic pinyin, YCT core vocabulary, simple sentence practice, and creative introduction to Chinese characters including strokes and stroke order.
4. 是否会学习汉字和写作？
Do children learn Chinese characters and writing?
会的，但以基础入门为主。学生通过创意方式学习汉字结构与笔画笔顺，并开始简单书写练习，但不涉及复杂写作训练。
Yes, but at a beginner level. Children learn characters through creative methods and begin basic writing practice, focusing on strokes and structure rather than advanced writing.
5. 拼音在YCT Level 1中重要吗？
Is pinyin important in YCT Level 1?
非常重要。拼音是本阶段的核心学习工具，帮助学生建立发音系统与基础阅读能力，同时为后续汉字学习打下基础。
Yes, pinyin is a core part of this stage. It helps students build pronunciation skills and basic reading ability, forming the foundation for later character learning.
6. 课堂是如何安排的？
How is each lesson structured?
每节课60分钟，包括儿歌、拼音学习、词汇练习、互动游戏、汉字入门与文化内容，使学习在输入与互动中自然进行。
Each 60-minute lesson includes songs, pinyin learning, vocabulary practice, interactive games, character introduction, and cultural elements, combining input and interaction.
7. 班级人数和教学配置如何？
What is the class size and teacher setup?
每班约12–14名学生，由2位老师共同支持教学，课堂采用分工协作与分层指导的方式，根据学生不同学习节奏提供个性化支持，确保每个孩子都能充分参与并获得关注。
Each class has around 12–14 students with 2 teachers supporting the lesson. Teaching is delivered through collaborative instruction and differentiated support to ensure every child is engaged and guided according to their learning needs.
8. 课程费用是多少？
What is the course fee?
YCT Level 1课程费用为每节课约£15。每个学期包含11节课，每个学年共33节课（一个完整学习级别）。
The course fee is approximately £15 per lesson. Each term includes 11 lessons, and each academic year consists of 33 lessons, completing one full learning level.
9. 家庭学习需要做什么？
What is expected for home learning?
每周约30分钟家庭学习，包括15分钟练习册作业与15分钟App学习，用于巩固拼音、词汇与课堂内容。
Around 30 minutes of home learning per week, including 15 minutes workbook practice and 15 minutes App-based learning to reinforce classroom content.
10. 完成YCT Level 1后会进入哪个阶段？
What happens after YCT Level 1?
完成后学生将进入Jinbu 1（Foundation Stage），开始以汉字为核心的系统学习，发展阅读与简单写作能力。
After completion, students progress to Jinbu 1 (Foundation Stage), where they begin character-based learning and develop reading and simple writing skills.