by Shannon Barry

Posted: 01/06/2011 02:31:23 PM PST

A class of kindergarteners at Joseph Azevada Elementary School is learning the same core instruction of reading, writing and arithmetic as its peers at the school but is being immersed in a completely different way of doing so. Ninety percent of the school day the curriculum is taught in Mandarin Chinese while the other 10 percent is instructed in English through the Mandarin Immersion Program, which launched at the beginning of the school year there.

“It is the same kindergarten instruction they would receive in any (other) kindergarten classroom,” Principal Carole Diamond said.

Upon observing the class, Diamond’s perspective rings true.

Kindergarten teacher Orchid Wang has decorations adorned throughout the classroom, albeit a bit different. One poster on her door says “Welcome to Mrs. Wang’s classroom,” written entirely in Mandarin.

Read more here.