Mandarin Matrix Resources (Online and Offline)

Mandarin Matrix offers resources that can align with multiple testing systems, including IB, PYP, MYP, iGCSE, GCSE, HSK, Common Core, FLES, FLEX, AP, and YCT. Below is a short list of the multiple resources offered.

Chinese Connections Readers

Our latest readers offer a more in depth program for middle school and high school students learning Chinese as a world language. Using authentic, real life situations, students will learn from relatable texts enabling them to practice Chinese in real world settings. Vocabulary, grammar, and sentence structures are aligned to major textbooks, yet are displayed under different contexts to expand and reinforce students’ learning. The texts cover AP, IB, and HKS grammar themes, helping students have additional material while preparing for their exams.

Product Highlights:

• Aligned with AP, IBMYP, and IBDP themes and topics
• Contemporary authentic use of language and expressions
• Relatable stories enable students to practice Chinese in real world settings
• Vocabulary, grammar, and sentence structures aligned to popular textbooks
• Supported with printable teacher guides and student worksheets
• Online exercises and assessments

ACTFL Proficiency Levels
(Each level with 24 books)

• Level 1: Novice Mid to Novice High
• Level 2: Novice High to Intermediate Low
• Level 3: Intermediate Mid to Intermediate High

Learn more about our Chinese Connections readers here.

Theme-Based Readers

240 theme-based Chinese books divided into 6 colour–coded levels, multi‐curricula, supporting iGCSE, Common Core, STEM and with over 1,600 characters up to AP Level.

Product Highlights:

• Available on the Online Classroom and also as printed books for take home and in-class reading
• Starts with basic vocabulary and develops through to advanced texts with complex historical and mythological Chinese tales
• Five encompassing themes:
  • About Us
  • Where We Are
  • Systems in the Community
  • Expression and Community
  • Science and Nature
• Multi-curricula-aligned with AP, IB (PYP, MYP), YCT, GCSE, Common Core, and STEM
• Each book has been deliberately developed with no English or pinyin in the body of the book, but with a full trilingual list at the back for easy reference

Teaching Materials:

Each level contains 40 ten-page stories

• Orange Level 1
• Blue Level 2
• Green Level 3
• Purple Level 4
• Brown Level 5
• Red Level 6

Dual Language Immersion (DLI) Proficiency Builders

Featuring everyday tales, reflecting real-life settings of school, family, and community. Developed with the University of Utah to provide a core curriculum for dual language immersion programs.

Product Highlights:

• All content follows Mandarin Matrix’s spiral system – learning based on upward spiralling and repetition
• Features relatable stories in fun and simple settings using school, family, and community topics
• Leverages Rebus images to stimulate expanded narrative storytelling beyond set scope and sequence vocabulary from Foundation to Novice 3
• Uses pinyin to expand narrative storytelling beyond set scope and sequence vocabulary from Intermediate 1-3 with teacher-tested scaffolding
• Structured with units that use the same vocabulary across three books (or chapters in Intermediate 1-2) and across levels, to ensure repetition in a variety of contexts to reinforce learning outcomes
• Supported by printable 15-day lesson plans, curriculum maps, teacher’s guides, and student worksheets
• Aligns with ACTFL “Can-Do” statements

Elementary Math and Science

K–5th grade Math readers and 1st to 6th grade Science readers, both correlate to Mandarin Matrix’ DLI literacy levels. Our Math readers are also aligned to Common Core Math standards and our Science readers are aligned to Next Generation Science Standards. The Math and Science Readers are included in the Mandarin Matrix enhanced online accounts.

Product Highlights:

• Aligns with the scope and sequence of our Dual Language Immersion Proficiency Builders Readers
• Features factual and informative texts
• Audio support for students to master keywords and vocabulary
• Math: Carefully designed images for students to easily understand abstract Math concepts
• Science: Real life Science photos and illustrations to help students visualize and understand concepts

GCSE and iGCSE Readers

A series of books specially designed for students studying GCSE and iGCSE.

Product Highlights:

• A selection of 175 books with appropriate artwork for secondary school students, available on the Online Classroom
• Starts with basic vocabulary and develops through to longer and more advanced texts
• Covers the 5 big iGCSE topics:
  • Everyday Activities
  • Personal and Social Life
  • The World Around Us
  • The World of Work
  • The International World
• iGCSE topics, themes, and most frequently seen content in previous past papers can all be found in this series.
• All elements of the exam are incorporated into a story format, making learning more fun and engaging.

Teaching Materials:

Levels 1-4 each contain 40 ten-page stories. Level 5 contains 15 longer stories, suitable for students at higher proficiency levels and students preparing for iGCSE/GCSE exams.

• Level 1: 40 units
• Level 2: 40 units
• Level 3: 40 units
• Level 4: 40 units
• Level 5: 15 units

Story-Based Readers

Narratives that are relatable to students’ lives and experiences, including topics such as school, family and play time. With the support of rebus images, pinyin and English support, these readers help expand the story themes beyond the set scope.

Product Highlights:

• Available online and as printed books for take-home and in-class reading
• Engaging stories that are supported by pinyin and English
• Consolidated learning based on upward spiralling and repetition
• Aligns to ACTFL “Can-Do” statements
• Features familiar settings and stories that students can relate to and understand
• Leverages Rebus images for expanded narrative storytelling beyond set scope and sequence vocabulary from Start to Level 6 (ACTFL Level Novice High)
• Uses pinyin to expand narrative storytelling beyond set scope and sequence vocabulary from Level 7-10
• Unit-based structure that uses the same vocabulary across three books to ensure repetition and variety of context

Teaching Materials:

• Starter Pack: 10 units (Two Big Books comprised of five books each for teachers to read in class, 10 books for the class to read with the teacher, and 10 books for students to read)
• Levels 1-6: Five units per level (Three books per unit, 15 books per level)
• Levels 7-10: Five units per level (One book per unit, 30 chapters per level)

Youth Chinese Test (YCT)

A series of fun and engaging books for students at YCT testing levels 1, 2, 3 & 4. Endorsed by the Beijing Confucius Institute for YCT Testing levels 1, 2, 3 & 4.

Product Highlights:

• Thoughtfully designed and illustrated printed books which provide a fun and engaging read based on Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling (TPRS) character acquisition
• Multi-use, wipe-clean YCT Flashcards are a proven resource to help boost character recognition
• Teacher Packs highlight the main teaching points, including key grammatical concepts and outcome assessment

Teaching Materials:

• Level 1 (15 books), Level 2 (15 books), Level 3 (25 books), Level 4 (40 books, coming soon!)
• YCT Flashcards: Levels 1-3
• YCT Teacher’s Packs: Level 1-3
• Can be purchased separately or in discounted Combo Packs

To view and purchase our full range of products, please visit our teacher-package page. If you would like additional information on a specific product, you can reach our sales team via email at sales@mandarinmatrix.com

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