An Innovative Chinese Language Programme: hihilulu Launches in India with IME

For an Indian school considering introducing Mandarin, the challenge is rarely limited to choosing a textbook.

A school needs a structured curriculum. Teachers need lesson plans and classroom resources. Students need opportunities to practise between lessons. School leaders need visibility into progress. And, perhaps most importantly, the programme needs appropriately trained teachers who can bring all these elements together in the classroom.

Putting that ecosystem together independently can be difficult.

It is against this backdrop that hihilulu is launching its Chinese Programme in India through a strategic partnership with India Market Entry (IME) bringing Indian schools a structured Mandarin learning programme designed for children aged 3–15.

A Structured Approach to Mandarin Learning

hihilulu brings together the components required to introduce Mandarin as a structured school programme rather than as a standalone textbook or digital resource.

At its academic core is the Snowballing Method, developed under the programme’s academic lead, Professor Joël Bellassen.

The methodology begins with 125 core Chinese character components, which progressively build into words, phrases and complete sentences.

Around this methodology sits a levelled learning pathway spanning kindergarten, primary and middle school, supported by physical learning materials, digital learning, lesson plans, classroom activities and progress reporting.

The result is an integrated programme connecting the student, teacher and school within the same learning environment.

What Does the hihilulu Chinese Programme Include?

The hihilulu Chinese Programme combines physical and digital learning resources within each level.

Students work with manuals, writing booklets, flashcards and learning kits, complemented by access to the Atelier® digital platform.

The platform provides dedicated access for school managers, teachers and students, while Atelier@school supports homework and continued practice outside classroom hours.

Teachers receive lesson plans, classroom activities, teaching resources and printouts to support programme delivery.

School leaders can also access reporting covering student performance, homework completion and course progress providing visibility into programme implementation even when the school leader does not speak Chinese.

hihilulu’s curriculum content is also 80–90% compatible with HSK, providing learners with a pathway that connects with an internationally recognised Chinese-language proficiency framework.

Addressing One of the Biggest Challenges: Teachers

Curriculum and technology alone do not create a successful language programme.

The teacher remains central to what happens in the classroom.

For Indian schools, this is particularly relevant because the availability of appropriately trained Mandarin teachers can determine whether a programme moves from consideration to actual implementation.

hihilulu therefore provides schools with two implementation pathways.

Schools that already have access to a Mandarin teacher can adopt the programme and have their teacher trained and certified in the hihilulu methodology.

Teacher training and certification currently follows an eight-week programme comprising 10 training sessions and four assessment sessions, led by Professor Joël Bellassen.

Alternatively, schools that do not have access to a suitable teacher can explore the full-service model, under which a hihilulu-certified teacher and programme delivery support are provided alongside the curriculum, learning materials and digital platform.

This gives schools the flexibility to introduce Mandarin according to their existing resources rather than requiring them to build an entire teaching infrastructure independently.

Flexible Ways to Introduce Mandarin

Not every school needs to begin with Mandarin as a full curriculum subject.

hihilulu therefore supports three different delivery formats.

Chinese Course
An in-curriculum programme designed for 2+ hours per week, supported by courseware and learning toolkits.

After-School Programme
A 45+ minute weekly format suitable for schools looking to introduce Mandarin through an extracurricular programme or language club.

Holiday Camp
An intensive one-week programme of 3–7 hours per day, combining Chinese language learning with cultural and creative activities.

Schools can therefore choose an implementation format that fits their existing timetable and gradually expand the programme as student participation develops.

From the Classroom to Continued Practice

Another important element of hihilulu’s approach is continuity between classroom instruction and independent learning.

Through Atelier® and Atelier@school, students can continue homework and practice beyond scheduled lessons, while teachers retain access to teaching resources and student information.

This creates a connected learning environment:

Physical learning materials + Digital platform + Teacher resources + Teacher training + Progress reporting

rather than leaving schools to assemble these components separately.

An International Programme, Now Coming to India

hihilulu already works within international school environments, with the programme in use at institutions including Ermitage International School in Paris, EIB Paris, SEK International School in Riyadh and Thomas’s London.

hihilulu is also a COBIS Supporting Associate, BSA Supplier and BSME Partner.

Its India launch now opens the programme to schools and education organisations looking to develop structured Mandarin learning opportunities for students aged 3–15.

hihilulu × India Market Entry

To develop its presence in India, hihilulu has partnered with India Market Entry (IME).

The initial India rollout will focus on the K–12 institutional market, particularly IB, Cambridge and leading CBSE schools, alongside selected education partners.

IME will support hihilulu across market development, school engagement, strategic partnerships, teacher ecosystem development and programme implementation.

The first phase of the India strategy will also engage language centres, education publishers and content platforms, creating multiple routes through which the programme can reach Indian schools.

Importantly, the initial focus is not simply on scale.

It is on establishing successful school implementations, building an India-based teacher ecosystem and developing strong reference cases before expanding through a wider network of partners and distributors.

Building a Mandarin Learning Ecosystem in India

hihilulu’s India launch is ultimately about making Mandarin more practical for schools to introduce.

Instead of asking a school to independently find curriculum, materials, technology, teacher resources and training, the programme brings these elements together within one structured system.

For schools, it provides a practical pathway to introduce Mandarin.

For teachers, it provides structured resources, methodology and certification.

For language centres and education partners, it creates an opportunity to add a complete Mandarin programme to the schools they already serve.

And for students, it creates another opportunity to engage with a major world language and the culture surrounding it through a structured learning journey.

With hihilulu’s academic programme and IME’s on-ground education network, the partnership marks the beginning of building a broader Mandarin learning ecosystem for Indian schools.

Explore the hihilulu Chinese Programme in India

IME is currently inviting schools, school groups, language centres, publishers and education platforms to explore the hihilulu Chinese Programme and its implementation models for India.

Institutions can connect with the IME team to explore:

Programme Demonstrations | School Implementation | Teacher Pathways | Pilot Opportunities | Publishing & Strategic Partnerships

Email: contact@indiamarketentry.com
Call: +91 88001 06877

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India Market Entry (IME) is a boutique consulting firm specialising in assisting global education stakeholders to navigate India’s vibrant education sector. IME’s core competency is strategic business development.

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