Mandarin Immersion

The Mandarin Chinese Dual Immersion Program at Ohlone is designed to develop full bilingualism in Mandarin and English. English-speaking students and native Mandarin speakers are taught together using Mandarin and English instruction to develop bilingual academic fluency. The program began as a 3-year pilot program in the fall of 2008 with two K-1 classes at Ohlone. For the 2011-2012 school year, the program comprises two Kinder/1st Grade classes, two 2nd/3rd Grade classes, and one 4th Grade class. In the 2012-2013 school year, the expansion will be complete with two classes at each combined-grade level (K/1, 2/3, 4/5).

The program aims to:

• Develop bilingual proficiency and literacy in Mandarin and English
• Promote academic achievement at or above grade level in both languages
• Foster positive cross-cultural attitudes