Heritage Elementary Heritage Elementary Chinese Immersion Giving your child the gift of a second language

Ni Hao Ni Hao

Why Chinese? World’s most widely spoken first language. Third most commonly spoken language in the U.S. Ancient and rich culture Important for business and politics

What is Language Immersion? Students learn academic content through a second language. Students learn second language by encountering and using the language in multiple meaningful contexts. Focus on building proficiency—being able to use the language. Learn by doing

Why immersion? Three decades of research shows students achieve as well or better than non-immersion peers on measures of verbal and mathematical skills as administered in English. How children learn

Why immersion? Cognitive benefits – Mental flexibility – Demonstrate non-verbal intelligence – Answer open-ended questions more freely – Sensitive to communication – Understand the needs of others – Respectful of differences How children learn

Why immersion? Academic benefits – Better at analyzing language – Understanding relationship of words and their meanings – Improved performance versus monolingual students on tasks that call for divergent thinking, pattern recognition, and problem solving. How children learn

Why immersion? Employment benefits – Thousands of businesses operate in more than one language – Many jobs require second language skills and cultural sensitivity – Speaking and writing in more than one language cited as the most important qualification in the workforce How children learn

What are the goals of immersion? To achieve competency in the second language (listening, speaking, reading, writing) To acquire the same English language arts skills as students in English-only classes To gain an appreciation of other cultures To master academic content Goals

WHAT WE TEACH MATHSCIENCE & SOCIAL STUDIES CHINESE LITERACY

Instructional Model for Kindergarten Extended Day Ext ENG pm Ch pm Reg K pm Reg K am Ch am Ext ENG am

Kindergarten Schedule Monday – Thursday AM K Chinese Lunch English 8: :15 11:15 – 11:55 11:55 - 1:30 PM K English Lunch Chinese 10:45 -12:05 12:05-12:45 12:45 - 3:30 Friday (No English and No Lunch on Friday) AM KChinese 8: :40 PM KChinese 11:15 - 1:15 This schedule is for the school year. Extended Day

Instructional Model for 1 st – 6 th Grade Instruction is divided between two high quality, creative classrooms:  English  Chinese 50/50 Eng pm Eng am Ch am Ch pm

The Chinese teacher speaks only in Mandarin She/He communicates using a range of engaging strategies including:  pictures  songs  games  body language  expressions  pantomime  drama, etc. Instructional Model Strategies

Parents’ Role Develop an understanding of immersion education Commit to long-term participation K-6 Support child, particularly during first few weeks Encourage use of Chinese outside school Help your child attend school daily Be on time for school Willing to help in classrooms Provide experiences outside of school to develop English language skills Parents will learn a few words, but your main job is to support English. Consider hosting a Chinese teacher or trainee in your home. Benefits your child and family as well as the school. Support

Registration and Information Maximum of 84 placements for Kindergarten – three classes of 28 students each Immersion families, move-ins with previous Chinese Immersion experience, and heritage language students given priority New students selected by lottery, if needed Complete Chinese Immersion application and Parent Commitment form returned to school by March 6, Policy

Registration and Information Please complete the Track Request separately, they will come home on Feb. 23rd/Mar. 3rd. Due March 6 th. Most students with siblings in Chinese grades 2-4 will be assigned to D track. Most students new to Chinese or with only a 1 st grade sibling in Chinese will be assigned to B track. Question/Answer list on website Policy