Mandarin Immersion Parents Council

Chinese Immersion Program
Fremont Unified School District is starting a Chinese (Mandarin) Immersion Program at Azevada Elementary School in Fall of 2010 with at least one kindergarten class. One class is full and applications are being accepted on a first-come, first-served basis to potentially open a second class, pending sufficient interest. Applications should be delivered to the Dept. of Federal and State Projects, 4210 Technology Drive, Fremont, CA, 94538.

The immersion approach is a proven, effective method in providing children with a well-rounded, academically excellent education and mastery of both English and any target language. Fremont follows other districts like Palo Alto, Cupertino, Los Altos, San Francisco, Berkeley and Hayward, which have enjoyed great success with their Chinese Immersion Programs.

Instruction: Instruction will start with the 90/10 model, which is 90% in Mandarin and 10% in English for Kindergarten and 1st grade. Beyond those grades, Mandarin instruction will decrease 10% and English increase 10% each year until they are evenly split. Instruction will follow standard state-mandated guidelines. The only difference between English-taught and Chinese immersion classes will be the language of instruction.
Curriculum: Curriculum will include the Better Chinese textbook series, which is used in San Francisco and the Fremont Chinese School.
Teacher: The Chinese Immersion teachers will be sourced from the Fremont Unified School District existing pool of credentialed teachers, resulting in no incremental hiring or costs.
Funding: Starting the Chinese Immersion Program in Fremont will not require any incremental monies from the General Fund. Start-up costs will be raised through private fundraising and grants.

For additional information, including inter-district transfers, please contact the Dept. of Federal and State Projects (510-659-2531) or visit the Chinese Immersion Parents’ Council of Fremont website at http://cipcf.wordpress.com.

http://www.fremont.k12.ca.us/168110928113227760/blank/browse.asp?a=383&BMDRN=2000&BCOB=0&c=69433