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Mandarin Immersion for the South Bay

David Bloom 310-994-5536 David.Aaron@yahoo.com Dr. Reuben Chen Dr.reubenchen@gmail.com 1/29/2012

Carolyn Gough, world languages consultant"People who are savvy about business recognize the world is no longer round. It's a flat, spreading economy, and China is where a lot of our business opportunities are going to be in the near future"

What is Mandarin Immersion?

Children are not just learning the

Mandarin Chinese language, but are


learning in Mandarin Chinese

Requires a substantial portion of the learning day in order to be successful Has many different flavors, but the end result is that children become completely bilingual: English and Mandarin
Anmei Bloom (4) learning in preschool in China

Why Mandarin Immersion?

A brighter future:
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Mandarin is the first language of 867 million people and the second language of another 178 million, for a total of about 1 billion speakers worldwide.

Research Shows:
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Learning a second language helps increase listening

ability, memory, creativity, and critical thinking.


o

Students who are fluent in two languages perform better academically than their monolingual peers. The best time for children to become fluent in another language is before the age of 13.

Wont learning two languages confuse my child?


o

Studies show that immersion learners show greater non-verbal problem solving abilities and more flexible thinking.

Mandarin Immersion in LAUSD

Currently 3 Schools in LAUSD are offering Mandarin Immersion


o

Broadway Elementary in Venice is the closest

2 years ago, Broadway Elementary made a commitment to Mandarin Immersion


o

School, once 60% capacity is now turning students away Demographics 2 years ago very similar

to William Green

What is Broadways API score? The current score is 869, following an unprecedented 107 point increase from 2010 and continuing growth in 2011.

School districts are working with UCLAs Confucius Institute

Mandarin Immersion in the South Bay


Manhattan Beach Redondo Beach Lawndale Hawthorne El Segundo Gardena Torrance Palos Verdes Estates Hermossa Beach Lomita Population (2010) 35,135 67000 32000 84000 16000 58000 145000 13000 18000 20000 % Asian in 2010 8.6 12 10 8 9 26 35 17 6 14

Popula 3 6 3 8 1 5 13 1 1 2

The aging population and economic factors also contributed to the number of children in the South Bay aged 5 to 9 declining by almost 16 percent - more than 7,400 - in the past 10 years. Daily Breeze, 7/30/2011

Start-up Choices for Fall 2012



90% Mandarin - 10% English
o

Typical program startup reducing to 50-50 by 5th grade

50% Mandarin - 50% English


o o

90/10 or 50/50 depends on students background, both models have been successful

Broadway Elementary Model: classes start in 2s Students with Mandarin background benefit the most

X% Mandarin - Y% English - Z% Spanish


o

90/10 50/50

Multilingual

Although only proposing Kindergarten, significant interest in 1st grade also

X/Y/Z

Typical Issues and Concerns Raised



Current High Interest:
ir st ge( s)

15 Students 1st

ts L ast Na me

Na me

t's F

Must be cost neutral


o o

Probable extra cost of $50k - $75k When would you like the check? 2 credentialed teachers, fluent in Mandarin, highly interested Asked for resumes of 3 others Interpretation and translation Substantial volunteers already recruited

Staff recruitment
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Communication
o o

Cheng Wu Chen Zhou Lam Chen Bloom Dee Chen Hauck Chang Chen Wong Lou Silverman Moore Martin Niu Tam-Singer Teng Shi Lin Eng Tan Fu Lim Pong

Angela Candy Cindy Mary Anne Winy David Michele Reuben Kathleen Cathy Mary Ah-San Grace Ronni Joanne LingLing Dong Dong Diane Wendy Yiro Ester Gwen Wendy Nancy Andrea Steven

Redondo Beach Torrance Manhattan Beach Torrance Manhattan Beach Redondo Beach Lawndale Rancho Palos Verdes Redondo Beach Manhattan Beach Palos Verdes Estates Manhattan Beach Hermosa Beach Manhattan beach Manhattan Beach Torrance Palos Verdes Estates Torrance Hermosa Beach Palos Verdes Estates Redondo Beach Torrance Redondo Beach Redondo Beach Redondo Beach Redondo Beach Torrance

English, Mandarin, Cantonese Cantonese, English Mandarin, English Mandarin, English Mandarin, English Mandarin, English Mandarin, English English, Mandarin, Cantonese Mandarin, English English English Mandarin, English Mandarin English English English Mandarin, English Mandarin English, Cantonese Mandarin English English English English Mandarin, English English Mandarin

La n gua

Par en

Par en

Cit y

spo

ken

at h

15 Students Kindergarten

om e

Timeline for the Fall 2012

Next Steps for Doers



Start Chinese education foundation and begin fundraising Work with Broadway Elementary for a list of South Bay students and possible teachers

Begin parent education outreach Establish curriculum and begin necessary translation services

Do not underestimate the number of non-Asian families who are interested in having their children learn Mandarin. Dr. Reuben Chen

South Bay Chinese Immersion Foundation (SBCIF)

Mission Statement
o

The South Bay Chinese Immersion Foundation (SBCIF) is committed to the belief that learning the

Mandarin language is a long term commitment by not


only the children, but also by the parents and the community.

South Bay Chinese Immersion Foundation (SBCIF)

The Non-Profit charter of SBCIF is to:


o

Raise money to cover partial expenses of a South Bay


Mandarin immersion program Raise awareness in the South Bay Educate prospective parents about Mandarin immersion

o o

Build relationships with teaching credential programs to


help recruit good teachers Research curriculum and translate materials Help organize listeners and tutors from the community

o o

Nurture future Mandarin immersion families

SBCIF Raising Money



Goal
o

$150k first and second years, $75k following years


Setting up non-profit for fund raising Currently 5 families have pledged financial support Pledges in excess of $50k

Current Engagement
o o o o

Many families of significant wealth on prospective student list


Complete non-profit paperwork Contact South Bay Chinese heritage businesses and organizations for support Find leadership for this activity Sustaining operation to address long term Mandarin immersion financial needs

Near Term Engagement


o o

Long Term Engagement


o

SBCIF Raising Awareness in the Community



Goal
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Active participation of 20 residents and business


leaders in the community

Current Engagement
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Engaged 4 Community Leaders

o
o o

Established Website
Currently emails have went out to over 200 residents Working with BOLCC

Near Term Engagement


o

Finding leader for this activity

Long Term Engagement


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Establish regular activities

SBCIF - Educating Parents about Mandarin Immersion



Goal
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Reach out to 200 prospective parents per year

Current Engagement
o o o o

Recruited experienced leader for this activity Established FAQ and Important Links on Website Substantial one-on-one engagement Many parents already visited Broadway
www.Chinese bilingual.com

Near Term Engagement


o o

Set up monthly information meeting until school starts Setting up free Mandarin mini-lessons for children

Long Term Engagement


o o

Work with principal to organize school tours Video tape class work and post on web

SBCIF Recruiting Future Teachers



Goal
o o

5 resumes of highly interested, credentialed teacher per year 5 resumes of highly interested assistants per year Loyola Marymount University has Mandarin Teaching Credential Program

Current Engagement
o

Currently have resumes of 2 highly interested, credentialed


teachers and 2 non-credentialed teachers

Near Term Engagement


o

Planning get-to-know-you meeting with LMU Mandarin Program leadership Planning get-to-know-you meeting with Confucius Institute Get to know top candidates by name and build relationships

Long Term Engagement


o

SBCIF Curriculum Research and Translation

Goal
o o o

Researched curriculum of 3 top Mandarin immersion programs 2 Mandarin immersion school visits per year 2 translation helpers dedicated to each grade Contacted and gathered information for 2 Mandarin immersion programs and setting up the 3rd Have curriculum outline for Bay Area kindergarten program 2 translation helpers for kindergarten in place Continue online research of top Mandarin Immersion programs Searching for 2 1st grade translation helpers Continuous relationship building with top immersion programs

Current Engagement
o

o o

Near Term Engagement


o o

Long Term Engagement


o

SBCIF Organizing Helpers for Student Success



Goal
o

10 Mandarin speaking volunteers per class

Current Engagement
o

4 Mandarin speaking volunteers


Outreach Mandarin speaking community in South Bay through Church and Civic organizations

Near Term Engagement


o

Will recruit leader for this activity


Work with school and teachers to improve helping Provide helper training classes

Long Term Engagement


o o

SBCIF Planning for Future Students



Goal
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60 applications for spots per year

www.Chinese bilingual.com

Current Engagement
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Have built database with approximately 45 children

Near Term Engagement


o o o

Will develop more robust data entry through Ipad Will insure sign up is available at all activities Will begin active information email program Will integrate activities with parent education and community leaders outreach

Long Term Engagement


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At the End of the Day


Very motivated parents with a vested interest in the success of the program Untapped education arena in the South Bay school community Successful recipe!

Backup Slides

Example of Parent Comments


Hi Connie and David, I want to support your efforts. We want to put Jack in first grade in public school next year I'd put him into the immersion program if there is a grade-appropriate choice. (Even if Jack is not in the program) I'd like to donate some money (I'm not sure how much but maybe a few hundred the first time, then more later on). I would like to donate time if I can help do things in the evening, as I work full time.

If you don't have my contact info, it's:


Diane th Place Hermosa Beach, CA Cell phone: and you have my email address I'd be happy to help out if you need it- I think it's a great opportunity for the kids! Diane

Charts
Broadway Elementary

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