Why Immersion?
According to the Center for Applied Linguistics, immersion programs are the fastest growing and most effective type of world language program available in U.S. schools. Immersion students develop proficiency in the target language by hearing and using it to learn academic content rather than only studying the language itself.
According to the Center for Applied Linguistics, immersion programs are the fastest growing and most effective type of world language program available in U.S. schools. Immersion students develop proficiency in the target language by hearing and using it to learn academic content rather than only studying the language itself.
Immersion provides an additional layer of enrichment over our accredited curricula. Not only do YHIS students become proficient in both English and Chinese, they develop positive cross-cultural attitudes while reaching a high level of academic achievement. From the standpoint of academic achievement, over five decades of studies consistently show that immersion students achieve as well as or better than non-immersion peers on standardized measures of verbal and mathematics skills administered in English.
In addition, our young learners benefit cognitively, exhibiting greater nonverbal problem-solving abilities and more flexible thinking than their one-language peers.
Chinese Immersion at YHIS
Among the many models of immersion programs, YHIS adopts the full immersion model. We integrate native English speakers and Mandarin Chinese speakers in the same class, delivering a vigorous curriculum in both languages for all students in accordance with the following schedule:
Among the many models of immersion programs, YHIS adopts the full immersion model. We integrate native English speakers and Mandarin Chinese speakers in the same class, delivering a vigorous curriculum in both languages for all students in accordance with the following schedule:
Grade level
Pre-S
Pre-K
Kindergarten
Grade 1
Grade 2
Grade 3
Grade 4
Grades 5-8
English Instruction
0%
0%
0%
20%
25%
35%
45%
50%
Chinese Instruction
100%
100%
100%
80%
75%
65%
55%
50%
At YHIS, we accept students with no prior knowledge of Chinese at any grade level. With small class sizes and a rigorous tutoring program, we are proud to be able to support students - with or without Chinese background - who are enthusiastic about learning languages.
For more on the benefits of immersion education, browse below:
Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL), (PDF)
The Telegraph, How Mandarin can unlock our children’s potential in an increasing interconnected world (January 10, 2017)
World Economic Forum, The most powerful languages in the world (December 2, 2016)
National Public Radio (NPR), 6 Potential brain benefits of bilingual education (November 29, 2016)
New York Times, The Superior Social Skills of Bilinguals (March 11, 2016)
New York Times, Dual-Language Programs Are on the Rise, Even for Native English Speakers (October 8, 2015)
World Economic Forum, The most powerful languages in the world (December 2, 2016)
National Public Radio (NPR), 6 Potential brain benefits of bilingual education (November 29, 2016)
New York Times, The Superior Social Skills of Bilinguals (March 11, 2016)
New York Times, Dual-Language Programs Are on the Rise, Even for Native English Speakers (October 8, 2015)
