Mandarin Immersion Parents Council

I had no idea their program was so big, and so well-established. They have 12 schools involved, from elementary to high school. They started  in 1982, just a year after the Chinese American International School in San Francisco. I believe this makes them the oldest on-going Mandarin immersion public system in North America.

From their website:

At the elementary level (Grades 1 to 6), the subjects taught in English are: English Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies. Subjects taught in Chinese are: Chinese Language Arts, Mathematics, Art, Health, and Physical Education. Music may be taught in both languages.

Chinese Language Arts is an optional course at the Junior High (Grades 7 to 9) and Senior High (Grades 10 to 12) levels designed to improve listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in Chinese with emphasis on conversational skills. Studies include a variety of short stories, novels, plays, and poetry. Art and cultural activities are also included. Computer skills in Chinese word processing are practiced when possible. Chinese Language Arts carries the same credits as other optional courses.

Chinese Language Arts at the Senior High level meet the language requirements of the International Baccalaureate (I.B.) Program of studies. Students who wish to write the I.B. Exam in Grade 12 will have that option. This course may also be taken as an option for credit towards a High School Diploma and may be accepted for entrance requirements at post-secondary institutions.

Very impressive.It also looks as if their parent organization, the Edmonton Chinese Bilingual Education Assoc., is really strong and supportive. Check out their web site here.

We’d love to hear from anyone in Edmonton about the program, how it works and how it’s progressed. And because you’ve got K – 12 students, we’re very interested (always) in what reading material your upper grade students like.