Year-End Chinese Holiday Camps 2026 in Novena: A Parent’s Guide
Choosing a Chinese holiday camp starts with a simple question: what would help your child most right now? One child may need more opportunities to speak Mandarin. Another may have plenty of story ideas but struggle to organise them. A child entering a new school stage may benefit from a gentler introduction to unfamiliar classroom expectations.
Nili Chinese Learning’s year-end programmes in Novena, Singapore run from 23 November to 18 December 2026. They bring together early-years Chinese, primary foundations, upper-primary enrichment, secondary Chinese and themed discovery activities. This guide explains how to narrow the choices and plan a manageable holiday schedule.
The 2026 holiday programmes at a glance
Dates: 23 November–18 December 2026, with different programmes on different dates.
Location: Nili Chinese Learning, Novena Regency, 275 Thomson Road, Singapore 307645.
Session times: 9:30am–12:30pm or 1:30pm–4:30pm, according to the programme.
Course lengths: one, two, four or five days. The four-day programmes run across two weekends.
Course choices: preschool, primary, secondary and selected programmes for international students.
For the readiness programmes, Primary 1 and Secondary 1 refer to children entering those levels in 2027. For other camps, tell us your child’s current year level and the level they will enter next year so we can confirm suitable placement.
Start with one learning goal
Think about a recent homework task or conversation. Where did your child need help? A specific starting point makes it easier to choose a course and discuss what support would be useful.
“My child understands some Mandarin but rarely answers in full sentences.” Consider guided speaking, storytelling or oral communication.
“My child gets stuck on sounds and familiar words.” Look at Pinyin or character-learning activities, depending on the difficulty.
“My child can describe each picture but cannot connect the story.” Consider picture-based composition or creative writing.
“My child can read the passage but struggles to explain an answer.” Consider a suitable comprehension programme.
“My child enjoys making and discovering things.” Explore themed activities that give children a reason to listen, discuss and explain.
Five ways to choose a Chinese holiday camp
1. Early-years Chinese: interest, listening and expression
The Early Years Chinese Series includes Pinyin Fun Camp, Preschool Storytelling & Drama Camp and the Preschool Fun Learning Programme. Children encounter language through sound games, stories, role-play, songs, movement and creative activities.
Choose by the skill you want to support. Pinyin activities focus on listening to and combining sounds; storytelling gives children opportunities to follow events and speak as a character; the preschool programme combines language exposure with participation and simple classroom routines. Ask which activities fit your child’s current language experience.
2. Primary foundations: words, sentences and learning routines
Options include the Fun Chinese Character Adventure Camp, lower-primary oral communication and picture-based composition. The aim is to build manageable steps: recognising useful words, explaining what is happening, and connecting observations into sentences.
For children entering Primary 1 in 2027, the Primary 1 Readiness Programme runs from 7–11 December, 1:30pm–4:30pm. It introduces foundational Chinese activities alongside following instructions, taking turns and completing simple tasks more independently.
For the broader skills developed through regular lessons, explore our primary Chinese classes.
3. Upper-primary enrichment: clearer speaking and stronger writing
The upper-primary choices include oral communication, creative writing, picture-based composition, Higher Chinese reading comprehension and Higher Chinese composition.
It helps to separate the learning needs. A child who gives very short spoken answers may need practice explaining and adding examples. A child whose composition feels like a list of events may need support with planning, connections and relevant detail. A child who copies from a passage without answering the question may need guided work on choosing evidence and expressing an answer.
These are useful skills to develop over time. Families can also explore our PSLE Chinese programme when considering longer-term support.
4. Secondary Chinese: targeted practice or a new school stage
Secondary programmes cover composition, reading comprehension and oral communication. The 23–27 November schedule separates lower-secondary and upper-secondary composition and reading groups, with hybrid arrangements listed for the upper-secondary options. Confirm the participation format when enquiring.
For students entering Secondary 1 in 2027, the Secondary 1 Transition Programme is offered on 30 November–4 December and 7–11 December, from 1:30pm–4:30pm. It introduces vocabulary, comprehension, practical writing and ways to organise responses, alongside more independent learning habits.
5. Fun and discovery: language with a purpose
The themed choices include Journey to the West, Science Discovery Day, Detective Mystery Challenge, Treasure Hunt Challenge, AI & Technology Discovery and Creative Arts & Crafts. Speaker’s Club and the International Fun Holiday Camp provide further opportunities for communication.
Look at what children will do with language during an activity. They might follow a clue, explain a choice, discuss a story or introduce a piece of work. For example, the AI & Technology Discovery description includes storybooks and creating a Chinese-learning game; the crafts programme includes lantern-making and Chinese-inspired art. Ask about the language support provided if your child is less confident using Mandarin.
A teaching example: one scene, different learning needs
The following is an illustrative teaching example, not a report of an actual student or a fixed camp lesson. Imagine a picture of a boy picking up paper from a classroom floor.
Observe: ask “他在做什么？” (“What is he doing?”). A child can point to the action or try a word such as “捡”.
Say: build a complete sentence — “他在捡地上的纸。” (“He is picking up paper from the floor.”).
Write: add a sequence of actions — “他弯下腰，捡起地上的纸，放进垃圾桶。” (“He bends down, picks up the paper and puts it in the bin.”).
Notice where support is needed. Does your child recognise the action but need vocabulary? Can they say the sentence but find writing harder? Can they already expand the scene independently? These observations give you something specific to discuss when choosing a programme.
Plan the dates, session length and budget
The schedule spans four weeks. Check the exact course dates before booking travel or other activities:
23–27 November: lower- and upper-secondary composition and reading comprehension.
30 November–4 December: a selection of primary, early-years and secondary programmes.
5–6 and 12–13 December: themed activities and weekend programmes. Speaker’s Club and International Fun Holiday Camp each span all four dates.
7–11 December and 14–18 December: further weekday programmes, with different course choices in each week.
The listed fees range from S$188 for selected three-hour themed activities to S$498 for five-day secondary programmes. Check the total course fee alongside the number of sessions. A two-day or four-day fee covers a different commitment from a single-session activity.
Leave room for rest and family plans. If you are considering both morning and afternoon courses, ask about the lunch arrangement and whether the full-day schedule suits your child. Free lunch is advertised for same-day morning-and-afternoon course enrolment; confirm the applicable arrangements, including any dietary needs, with the centre.
Questions to ask before booking
Which programme fits my child’s current level and learning goal?
What will children practise, and how will the teacher support different starting points?
What are the exact dates, total fee and any applicable offer conditions?
What should my child bring, and what are the drop-off and collection arrangements?
If booking two sessions in one day, how are lunch and the break between sessions arranged?
Need help choosing a programme?
Send us your child’s current year level, the level they will enter in 2027, available dates and one skill you would like to support. If useful, describe a recent task they found difficult. We can discuss the relevant options and confirm the course details before you book.
You can also use our contact page to enquire. Nili Chinese Learning is at Novena Regency, 275 Thomson Road, Singapore 307645.
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