Year of the Monkey & Learning a New Language

The week of Chinese New Year is a way to celebrate the start of a new year and wish for a good harvest, profits, and success.  If you have school-age children, they may have participated in activities at school this week and learned more about the Chinese culture, traditions, and celebrations. Perhaps you have taken the opportunity this week to learn more; even if it was just to read your Chinese zodiac for the year. 

In a few of the local school districts, children are participating in Chinese language immersion programs. These programs provide young students the opportunity to become bi-lingual, bi-literate, and bi-cultural by blending academic learning with language acquisition.  Students work with two teachers - English speaking to learn reading, writing, and spelling and Chinese speaking to learn math, social studies, Chinese literacy, and health.  This is a fun way for kids to learn a new language.

Children are not limited to Chinese immersion programs, there are also programs that offer immersion in Spanish and French.  If you have young children and you are interested in being part of an immersion program at your local school:

• Check with your local school to see if this program is offered. If it is not offered at your school, look into the possibility of attending a new school. 

• Contact your local school district to find out where immersion programs are offered and any important dates. For example, in Davis County, a parent orientation meeting is held in Feb/March and applications are given out at the meeting. 

• Talk to other parents. Take the time to ask questions of other parents who already have students participating in these programs. Make sure you are comfortable with the level of commitment, experiences shared, etc. Would they do it again? Do anything differently? You certainly don't have to base your decision on someone else's experiences, but it is good to get an idea of what you are potentially getting you and your child into. 

• Turn in required application/paperwork. Be prepared that your application may be one of many and the school and/or district may hold a lottery to select new students. 

• Be prepared to learn and work with your student. If your student is selected, it is not something to be taken lightly, you will be learning a new language too! 

• Thinking of moving and want to relocate to a school or district that offers an immersion program? Give me a call, I can help you find a home within your desired school boundary. 

Here's to a prosperous Year of the Monkey! 

Photo Source: http://tinyurl.com/zf4ol5u