Exchange Database
California's parents urge more Chinese in mid-school
Six Palo Alto, California, parents spoke to the Board of Education during a public comment session to urge the board to expand a Mandarin immersion program to the middle school level. Chinese immersion education is a method of teaching the Chinese language in which the Chinese is the language of classroom instruction. Through this method, learners study school subjects, such as math, science, and social studies in Chinese. Currently, there are several elementary schools in Palo Alto providing Mandarin immersion programs and two high schools offering Mandarin classes. However, there is no middle-school instruction, resulting in a three-year gap for students.
Outcomes:
Cupertino, located about 12 miles from Palo Alto, has already expanded their immersion program into the middle schools, such as Miller Middle School. "Learning Chinese can let our kids know about whom they are and remember their identity as descendants of Chinese," said Chris Zhang, candidate for the Cupertino School Board, adding that his daughter is currently studying in an immersion program in a preschool in Cupertino. He also said that not just Chinese-American students are learning in the immersion program, but also some American natives are sending their children to the program.
Government?:
No
Type of Exchange:
education/science
Partners:
Board of Education
Ohlone School
Miller Middle School
Participants (Types):
Parents, school board officials
Number of Participants:
6 parents
Exchange Date:
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
Continuing:
No
Image:
Location:
Palo Alto, California
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