In California is seems there is an issue of Foreign Language Schools being classified as day care, which has very specific staffing requirements. And because of this some schools have been shut down.

Huff pushes legislation to reclassify foreign language schools - SG Tribune

Labels: Chinese Schools

Per this article, China to improve standards of teaching Chinese as a foreign language there are 400 schools in the US teaching Chinese.

Hmm... A study a couple of years ago I got of with Chinese Schools in the US had a number of 1600. My 2 cents is it's higher now.

Of course the question is what do they consider a Chinese School? Do weekend or after school count?

Reference: Chinese School Finder for the US and Canada

Labels: Chinese Schools

Fascinating paper - Mathematics and Vocabulary Development in Chinese American and European American Children over the Primary School Years. So why do Chinese American's so often do so well in school in the US?

Some clues... Time usage on page 19 of the study. Less time on sports (.55 hours per week vs. 18 hours), more time on reading, music (30 minutes vs. 5 minutes per day), music lessons (60 minutes per week vs 8 weeks).

So how does my daughter compare to this? She's at 120 minutes per week of music lessons :-)

I was looking for a comparison of Chinese Kindergartens, such Follow Jade - Let's Visit Chinese Kindergarten in DVD and American Kindergartens. I guess I will need to write my own, may be as a lesson plan for the Follow Jade DVD?

Labels: Chinese Americans, Chinese Schools, Learning Chinese, Schools

A local school is starting a bilingual Chinese program. Bilingual kindergarten planned in Hacienda Heights at Wedgeworth. Nice school. I hope more schools due true bilingual classes. This is where kids actually learn both English and another language.

The perceived problem with bilingual education in California that resulted in passage of Proposition 227 was kids in it were not becoming fluent in English. Bilingual education was seen as a way of teaching English. Because of Proposition 227 passing bilingual education in California plunged, as did the sale of Bilingual Chinese Books to schools. A couple of publishers I know got hit hard by this. True bilingual education is not using it as a method to teach English, but teaching both languages. A class is either done fully in Chinese, or in English in a full immersion environment. Biligualism is possible, I just look at Europe that graduates people with wonderful English ability, in addition to their native language.

So I should investigate doing book fairs at local schools. I have seen them done by a local independent American bookstore. Of course selling online makes it easier on payment, not having to give change, no labeling needed, etc. Something to think about.

Labels: Chinese Schools

Maryland Frederick County expands summer Chinese language program. An addition to ChildBook's list of Chinese School Finder for the US and Canada including Chinese Summer School Programs

Labels: Chinese Schools

There are a number of summer programs for Learning Chinese for K-12. Here is a list of Teaching Chinese Summer School programs in the US and overseas focused on non-native speakers.

Labels: Chinese Schools

ABC News video and article - Demand Increases to Teach Chinese Language. One school that teaches Chinese has had a 300% increase in applicants. Jose Ortega Elementary school just this year started a Chinese Mandarin immersion program. The private, Chinese American International School has been around since 1981. The immersion Chinese programs I have seen in San Francisco teach Cantonese. The increase in interest on Learning Chinese is great for ChildBook. Both schools mentioned in the article are listed on my Chinese School Finder for the US and Canada specifically on the Chinese Immersion and School Language Programs page.

Labels: Chinese Schools, Learning Chinese

A conference in DC I would love to attend is the National Chinese Language Conference April 17-19th.

Topics to be covered include:

• How to make the case for Chinese in your school and community
• Bring meaningful Chinese language programs to all students
• Model your program after best practices and research
• Prepare or find highly-qualified Chinese language teachers
• Discuss other relevant topics

Labels: Chinese Schools

It's time to add a Chinese immersion program - Newspaper editorial from a Parent in Eugene Oregon. Excellent read.

Labels: Chinese Schools

Finding a Chinese School can be a challenge. I just updated my Chinese School Finder for the US and Canada as a customer pointed out some of the links were not working.

I have updated the links, but more importantly I have given some advice on using the search engines and google maps for finding Chinese Schools. I have also given some Chinese online phone directories.

Your feedback is appreciated!

Labels: Chinese Schools

Chinese Phone Book under schools is also helpful. This is the best resource so far I have found:

There are also a couple online.
http://www.cbw.com/asm/cypintro.html
http://www.ccyp.com/

http://www.csaus.org/csaus02/
http://www.ncacls.org/
http://www.classk12.org/

Another page I need to update... Chinese School Finder for the US and Canada

A parent was asking me for recommendations for schools and I started doing some research. Chinese Telephone book was the best way I have found so far.

Labels: Chinese Schools

It's amazing the interest in teaching Chinese in the public schools. An article about a school that has introduced Chinese into Middle School in their district!

What I am very interested in is the couple of public schools in the US that have implemented a true bilingual Chinese and English program. There are also a couple of private schools that have done this. My list of Chinese Schools in the US and Canada along with some suggested questions you should ask to choose the right school for your child. For public schools, there is actually a shortage of Chinese Language Teachers.

Labels: Chinese Schools

Great article about a pre-school full immersion Mandarin in NY in a mixed race school.

Key Quotes:

“It’s a competitive world, and I want my children to be competitive,” Mr. Kinsale says. “If they’re going to be successful in a white-dominated society, they need to be exposed to this, and I believe they will excel.”

“People who start their children on a language so young understand it’s a multicultural world and they want their children to be part of it,” per Ms. Kinsale.

Labels: Children Development, Chinese Schools, multicultural