Portland Public Schools has multiple language immerse programs. On Jan. 27 the school board voted to add four more:

LANGUAGE IMMERSION: Portland Public Schools next year will see four new language immersion programs, including the state’s first Vietnamese program.

Language immersion involves teaching core subjects in both English and another language to help foster bilingualism. The expansion will be one of the largest in Oregon, where Portland Public Schools has long been a leader in language immersion.

From the Oregonian:

The board on Monday unanimously voted to establish programs at four schools:

• A Mandarin immersion program at King School, which will begin with two kindergarten and two first grade classrooms and expand until eighth grade.
• A Vietnamese dual language immersion program at Roseway Heights, which will begin with two kindergarten classrooms and expand until eighth grade.
• A Spanish immersion program at James John, which will begin with two kindergarten classes.
• A Spanish immersion classroom Sitton, which will begin with two kindergarten classes.

The new Mandarin program will be in the northern part of the city. The current school, Woodstock, is in the city’s southeast. King school is K – 8 and also is an IB school.

Exciting Opportunity for Upcoming Kindergarten Students to Enter
Mandarin Chinese Immersion Program at Forest Hills Global Elementary Schools

Did you know that China is the second largest economy in the world or that many U.S. companies do business in China and have long-term investments there? International businesses prefer to hire people who speak more than one language. With China being such a huge market, business leaders are looking for people who can speak Chinese and operate successfully in a Chinese cultural context.

Deborah Greenwood knows these facts. As principal of Forest Hills Global Elementary School, she is looking out for the future opportunities for students to be successful in the global careers of the future. Starting with the 2014-2015 school year, Forest Hills is looking to offer a Mandarin Chinese Immersion program. In order for the Mandarin class to take place, they need to have at least 20 kindergarten students enrolled. The slots will be filled on a first come, first serve basis. Students in the Forest Hills district will be given priority, but students from other areas have the opportunity to apply to the program.

“We are such a global world now and China is a major influence in the world marketplace. A Mandarin Chinese Immersion Program will offer an excellent opportunity for our students to get a jump start on preparing for the careers of the future, Mrs. Greenwood said. “This will give our students a great advantage,” she added.

Mrs. Greenwood explained the study of the Chinese language opens the way to many important fields such as Chinese politics, economy, history or archaeology. Forest Hills already has a highly successful Spanish Immersion Program in which current students are excelling academically while they become fluent in the language.

Immersion program applications are available online at www.nhcs.net  under “Items of Interest” or for pick up at Forest Hills, 602 Colonial Drive. The application deadline is March 1, 2014. If you are the parent of an upcoming kindergarten student and would like more information about the Mandarin Chinese Immersion program, contact Forest Hill Global Elementary School at (910) 251-6190 or email Mrs. Greenwood atdeborah.greenwood@nhcs.net.

More here.

There are so few books in Chinese that middle schoolers can read and find interesting that I wanted to highlight a new one which came out recently.

The Chinese Biographies series by Cheng and Tsui has just published a biography of basketball star Jeremy Lin. More about it here.

The blurb reads:

“Discover the story of “Linsanity”. Jeremy Lin knew from childhood that he wanted to play professional basketball and broke significant barriers to become the first Chinese-American NBA player. Readers will learn how this contemporary cultural icon overcame the challenges on his path to fame and developed his inspiring strength of character.”

The books in the series use between 300 and 750 characters and come with audio files you can get from the website so students and listen and read along. Many times students can understand a much higher level of spoken Chinese than written Chinese, so hearing the words as they read means they can read texts that are at a higher level than they could easily read on their own.

The blurb about the series:

“These engaging biographies of Chinese cultural icons were specifically designed for students who have mastered 350-700 characters. Pinyin annotation facilitates the reading process, making Chinese character texts accessible at the earliest stages of learning. Touching on contemporary cultural issues, these biographies and their related online activities encourage students to think, speak and write in Chinese as they learn about Jeremy Lin, Yao Ming, and others. Perfect for classroom instruction or independent reading.”

They’ve already got Spanish, Mandarin and French. I’ve seen several German schools go up recently. Interesting. A resurgence in the language?

Lexington One schools offer language immersion program for kindergartners

ColaDaily.com is your source for free news and information in Columbia and the Midlands.

Parents of rising kindergartners in Lexington One School District are invited to learn more about district offerings that give kids a jump-start on learning new languages.

Lexington One’s Partial-Immersion World Languages Program allows children to learn an foreign language while also being taught subjects like math and science. Students can join partial-immersion in kindergarten and continue through fifth grade.

During a partial-immersion world language class, teachers spend half of the day instructing in French, German, Mandarin Chinese or Spanish. The district’s new school opening in the fall, Deerfield Elementary, will be the first to offer German.

Please read more here.

Read more at http://gazette.com/colorado-springs-charter-school-touts-foreign-language-immersion/article/1511971#bbX8JWkoxrRAEJPv.99

https://employment.bsd405.org/JobPosting.aspx?JPID=3890

ELEMENTARY MANDARIN DUAL LANGUAGE TEACHER(S) 2014-15

Opening Date:   12/6/2013 Closing Date:     Open Until Filled Location:   Various Locations

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Mandarin language instruction in all elementary subjects for a majority of the instructional day. Foster an educational environment conducive to the learning and maturation process of assigned students; plan an instructional program designed to meet individual student needs and whole groups which may include “at-risk” or special needs youth; prepare lesson plans. Use necessary and appropriate instructional methods and materials, which are suited to the well-being of students and to the nature of their learning activities, program and/or curriculum involved; implement established program or curriculum objectives; attend in-service training and continue to improve professional growth through study and experimentation to remain current in methods and techniques for instruction. Establish and implement, in a positive and supportive manner, classroom policies and procedures governing student behavior and conduct; provide guidance, counseling, and discipline to encourage students to meet standards of achievement and conduct; make referrals for assistance where appropriate. Confer with students, parents or guardians, and other staff, in an open and positive manner to provide guidance and evaluation and encouragement of student achievement. Establish classroom goals and objectives, in conformance with courses of study specified by State and School District statutes, regulations and guidelines; evaluate and record student progress; prepare reports for parents or guardians. Collect and interpret a variety of data; provide reports for administrative purposes. Direct the activities of assigned non-certificated personnel. Attend or participate in all required staff meetings and other activities deemed necessary by the District and/or building principal, in order to accomplish the objectives of the position and for professional development.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS:

Reports to building administrator

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:

Possess or qualify for immediate issuance of valid Washington state teaching certification with endorsement in Elementary Education. Must meet ESEA standard for Highly Qualified teachers in Elementary curriculum. Knowledge of current curriculum and instructional practices such as teacher-directed instruction, literature-based reading, math problem-solving, use of math manipulatives, cooperative learning, and integrated curriculum. Bilingual proficiency in English and Mandarin Chinese language required. Elementary teaching experience preferred. Previous experience in Dual Language program preferred. Current knowledge of child development theory and its implications for teaching and learning. Ability and skills necessary to individualize instruction. Commitment and ability to work with a full range of students including gifted, mainstreamed special education, English language learners, and students from diverse cultural and social backgrounds. Ability to work with computers to develop students’ technical literacy and to assist students in learning other subjects. Ability to work in a collective or team approach. Ability to communicate effectively with students, parents, and colleagues, orally and in writing. Ability to work with students in multi-aged groups. Ability to use varied assessments, including performance tasks, portfolios, and student self-assessment. Ongoing professional development activities, such as college course work, professional associations, workshops, and in-service. A strong and positive attitude that each student can be taught and has the right and capacity to achieve personal academic excellence. Ability to perform all duties in accordance with applicable Board policies and district and legal requirements. Ability to meet and maintain punctuality and attendance expectations.