I realize my only knowledge of Prince Edward Island comes from reading all the Anne of Green Gables books as a child (not a bad way to know a place, really.) I had no idea that it has had a huge influx of Buddhist monks and nuns. Now they’re opening an immersion school. That will…

For those of us not lucky enough to speak a language other than English, we must turn to immersion programs to have our children grow up bilingual. When I hear my daughters chattering away in Mandarin, I feel a wave of relief that all those nights arguing and crying at the dining room table over…

    DEBBIE BLANK THE HERALD-TRIBUNE Apr 14, 2018 The line was out of the gym doors for the first Mandarin Dual Language Immersion Family and Community Night April 12 at Batesville Primary School. The event was planned by the parents of students enrolled in the program, now in kindergarten and first grade. Janie Linkel-Owens,…

Note that District 214 only offers regular language classes (i.e. an hour a day, teaching the language, not in the language) rather than immersion. In nearby Barrington, the immersion program has a waiting list. District 214 schools move to end Mandarin language program, bucking national trend Karen Ann Cullotta May 25, 2018 John Hersey High…

  The Northwest Chinese Academy is a K – 8 private Mandarin immersion school that until this year has been located in Beaverton, Ore. just outside of Portland, Ore. Beginning next year it will move to a new, expanded campus in nearby Aloha, Ore. Founded in 2008, the school’s move will allow it to double…

A really nice video from Gwinnett County in Georgia about its dual language immersion programs (and thanks to Gregg Roberts of Utah for bringing it to my attention.) The languages taught there are Spanish and French, no Mandarin (yet.) But it gives a nice feel of how it works. And in fact, it might help…

Chinese bond unites families DEBBIE BLANK THE HERALD-TRIBUNE Apr 14, 2018 Debbie Blank | The Herald-TribuneStudents amused their families by singing “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes” in Mandarin Chinese. Debbie Blank | The Herald-TribuneBecky Niese (left) and Janie Linkel-Owens organized the Mandarin Dual Language Immersion Family and Community Night with multiple other mothers. Linkel-Owens welcomed…