Why is there little Mandarin homework in PYP?

Many schools keep Mandarin learning in class and treat it as gentle language exposure, so home practice may be optional or minimal.

How does PYP Chinese connect to IB Chinese classes later?

PYP builds foundations like listening confidence, speaking routines, and basic literacy habits that can help students transition into later IB Chinese classes.

PYP Assessment in Your IB Chinese Class

Q: Is PYP Chinese assessed with exams?

In many IB PYP schools, assessment is mostly ongoing and task-based, rather than one big exam.

Aileen Ting
1 day ago
4 min read

Updated: 2 hours ago

A student doing a PYP Chinese assessment presentation in class, building skills for future IB Chinese classes — A student doing a PYP Chinese assessment presentation in class.

PYP Chinese assessment is usually low-pressure and ongoing, not one big exam. It checks what your child can do in Mandarin across listening, speaking, reading, and writing—and it can also build a good base for IB Chinese classes later.

If you’re a parent in Hong Kong and you’re not sure what “assessment” really means in PYP, this guide will help.

How assessment works in the IB PYP curriculum

In the IB PYP curriculum, assessment is part of daily learning. Teachers use small tasks to see progress and plan next steps.

For Mandarin, assessment often includes:

Classwork and homework
Small quizzes or quick checks
Projects and presentations
Informal teacher observations

There are two main ideas you will often hear:

Formative assessment: small, regular checks that guide teaching.
Summative assessment: a bigger task at the end of a unit.

The goal is to see what your child can really do in PYP Chinese (Mandarin)—not only what they can memorise.

What PYP Chinese (Mandarin) assessment looks like

Every school is slightly different, but these are common task types:

Listening

Listening to a short story or dialogue in Mandarin
Following classroom instructions in Chinese
Matching what they hear to pictures or simple words

Speaking

Short role-plays (ordering food, introducing family)
Talking about a picture or daily routine
Simple presentations with a few prepared sentences

Reading

Reading short sentences or a paragraph and answering simple questions
Matching sentences to pictures
Finding keywords or the main idea

Writing

Writing sentences about a picture or unit topic
Writing a short paragraph about themselves
Filling in missing characters or phrases

Note: Some schools also link Mandarin to the PYP Exhibition (final year), for example by adding Mandarin to posters or reflections.

How PYP Chinese assessment connects to IB Chinese classes later

Strong progress in PYP helps students feel more ready when they move into MYP.

This is why:

Regular listening and speaking build confidence for future oral work.
Reading and writing build habits that carry into MYP and later exam skills.
Teacher feedback helps students understand their strengths.

When children learn to handle small tasks calmly now, they often cope better with the more formal assessments they may meet in MYP IB Chinese classes later.

Why some children struggle with PYP Chinese assessment

Common reasons include:

Recall under pressure: They understand in class but find it hard to remember words during a specific task.
Skill gaps: For example, they might be great at speaking but find character writing slow or difficult.
Shyness: Speaking in front of peers can be intimidating.
Limited exposure: Without Mandarin at home, the "school environment" is the only place they hear the language.

What parents often notice: In many IB PYP schools, Mandarin is treated as a gentle, inquiry-based subject. This often means:

Little to no homework: Students often leave their Mandarin work at school.
Fewer updates: You might see less activity on platforms like Google Classroom compared to other subjects.
Low visibility: Even though learning is happening, it isn’t always easy for parents to see progress at home.

This is normal for the PYP, but it can make assessment results feel like a surprise.

How I support assessment & when to reach out

If your child feels anxious about tasks, or if their marks don’t reflect what they truly understand, extra support can bridge the gap.

My goal isn't just to "do homework" with them—it is to build the confidence they need to stand on their own. As an experienced IB Chinese tutor, I help by:

Clarifying expectations: I explain exactly what the teacher is looking for in listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
Practising real task types: We rehearse specific school tasks (like listening checks or oral presentations) in a low-pressure setting.
Reviewing feedback: I look at past reports or rubrics to match your school’s style and target weak spots.

Next Step: Schedule a trial lesson. I can do a friendly level check and suggest clear, realistic goals for your child to see if you want to join Private IB Chinese Tutoring or an IB Chinese Group Class. Have questions? Feel free to WhatsApp me.

Bottom line

PYP Chinese assessment is ongoing and skill-based. If your child practises the common task types (listening, speaking, reading, writing), they’ll feel more confident now—and more ready for IB MYP Chinese classes later.

IB PYP Assessment FAQ

Is PYP Chinese assessed with exams?

Usually not in one big exam. Many schools use ongoing tasks plus a larger end-of-unit task.

What should my child focus on most?

For many students, listening and speaking confidence makes the biggest difference first.

Does PYP Chinese prepare students for IB Chinese B?

It can help with foundations (habits, confidence, basic literacy), but the level jump in secondary can still be big.

How can I help at home if I don’t speak Mandarin?

Short routines work: quick listening practice, reading a small text together, and praising effort over “perfect” characters.

Written by Aileen Ting, founder of Mandarin & Cantonese Tutor HK.