Frequently Asked Questions

Questions

Answers 

What is a dual language immersion program?

Dual language immersion is an educational model that integrates native English speakers and native speakers of a target language (Mandarin) in the same classroom for the entire school day. Students learn to speak, write and read at grade level in both languages with the goals of promoting high academic achievement, first and second language development, and cross-cultural understanding for all students.

In dual language immersion programs, language learning takes place primarily through content instruction. Academic subjects are taught to all students through both English and the target language (Mandarin). 

What are the 3 main goals of a Dual Language Immersion Program?

The goal of a dual language immersion program is for students to become bilingual, bi-literate, bi-cognitive, and culturally competent learners. 

What is SMUSD’s Mandarin Kindergarten Dual Language Immersion Program (MDLIP) model?

SMUSD’s MDLIP is based on the 50:50 model. Instruction focuses not only on mastery of content but also on the acquisition of language, including vocabulary and language structure and functions. This is known as Content Based Instruction (CBI). CBI is designed to integrate language and content, to address second language-learner needs and to encourage the transfer of skills, strategies, and knowledge across languages.

Will SMUSD’s MDLIP provide instruction in Traditional or Simplified Chinese characters?

Traditional Chinese 

Who is eligible for the program?

The dual language immersion program is open to students who are native speakers of Mandarin and/or English.

Can English learners of a language other than the Target language (Mandarin) in a Mandarin/English dual-language immersion program participate?

English learners in a Mandarin/English dual-language immersion program should be Mandarin speakers. However, speakers of other languages who are proficient in English and another language could be eligible for enrollment in the program.

Is this program a fit for my child, our family?

The dual language immersion program is a multi-year commitment. For children to gain academic success and language proficiency, families must be willing and able to commit to this program. Parents must carefully consider if the program is a fit for their family. 

Should students enter a dual language immersion program after first grade?

Typically,  dual language programs do not accept English-only speakers after Kindergarten. Bilingual and biliterate students may be eligible to enter the program at any time by passing the target language (Mandarin) proficiency assessment and should space be available.

How will content/curriculum be delivered in the 50:50 model?

Mandarin English Language Arts will be taught in the Mandarin class and English Language Arts will be taught in the English class. All other content/curriculum will be taught in both languages. 

What curriculum will be used in the Mandarin Dual Immersion Program?

Curriculum will include Level Learning and Better Immersion.  Additional supplemental instructional materials may be used to complement and reinforce instruction and learning.

Will pinyin be introduced?

Pinyin may be introduced in later grades.

How will I help my child with homework if I do not speak the Target language (Mandarin)?

By providing students with a strong foundation in their first language, parents are helping to lay the groundwork for strong second language skills. Parents can support literacy skills as well as content knowledge in the child’s first language by reading together and learning about the topics the child is learning in school. For example, when students learn about community helpers in Mandarin, children who are already familiar with the topic in English will transfer the knowledge, making the lesson in Mandarin more comprehensible.

Parents can also support students at home by making sure that they have the right environment and tools to get homework done (e.g., a quiet space and enough time, paper, dictionaries in both languages, writing utensils, and art supplies such as construction paper, paste, tape, and colored makers). 

How is a dual language immersion program integrated with other programs at a school site?

The dual language program is not and should not be viewed as a separate program. The school develops a common vision of equity for all students that values language and culture. The same California State standards-based curriculum is taught in the dual language immersion program that is taught in other school programs. 

Is there an assessment prior to attending a Dual Language Immersion Program?

Parents may apply if their child is a non-native speaker or native speaker of the program's target language (Mandarin). A student who applies and is accepted as a native speaker (Mandarin-dominant speaker) will be assessed using the Foreign Language Oral Skills Evaluation Matrix (FLOSEM) to verify native-language proficiency prior to final registration. 

What does the Foreign Language Observation Evaluation Matrix (FLOSEM) assess?

The FLOSEM assesses student’s oral proficiency skills in grammar, pronunciation, vocabulary, fluency and comprehension.

If I am interested in having my child attend a dual language immersion program, how do I apply?

Families may visit SMUSD’s Mandarin Dual Language Immersion page for instructions on how to apply to the program.

Note: Submission of an interest survey does not confirm registration.

If I complete the interest survey do I need to pre register my child for kindergarten?

Yes. After submitting the interest survey, all new SMUSD families must pre register their child for kindergarten at Enrollment & Registration web page starting March 1, 2024

I do not reside in San Marino, how do I apply for the MDLI program?

Families may visit SMUSD’s Mandarin Dual Language Immersion page for instructions on how to apply to the program.

Note: Submission of an interest survey does not confirm registration.

My child has a current IEP, is my child eligible for the program?

Yes, however program placement will be determined on student’s current IEP and IEP team recommendation.

What grades will the MDLI Program be offered in for 2024-25 school year?

For the 2024-25 school year, the Mandarin Dual Language Immersion Program will be offered in Kindergarten and Grade 1.  The 2023-24 Kindergarten cohort will matriculate to grade 1 in 2024-25. 

Will dual immersion be offered at Valentine?

SMUSD's MDLIP, although housed at Carver Elementary, is open to all students districtwide. Students from both Carver and Valentine are able to apply to enroll. The District is steadfast in focusing its efforts on strengthening the newly implemented MDLIP to ensure program growth and sustainability.  

How does this impact the total class sizes at Carver?

We do not anticipate any class size changes, and any impact to the total class sizes at any grade levels at the Carver ES.

I have twins, if one twin gets in through the lottery, does the other twin also get in? Do siblings get priority?

Yes, siblings receive priority enrollment in the MDLI Program.

Is there any accommodation for students that are entering first grade in San Marino in 2024?

Typically, dual language programs do not accept English-only speakers after Kindergarten. Bilingual and biliterate students may be eligible to enter the program at any time by passing the FLOSEM proficiency assessment and should space be available.

Is there a social emotional component to learning that would be integrated in the dual immersion program?

All social-emotional, well-being, and mental health learning that takes place in the regular classroom will also be integrated in the dual language immersion classroom.

Will there be dual immersion classes for middle and high school as well?

This question will be strongly considered as we implement our MDLI Program at the elementary level. 

Are the children taught in traditional Chinese writing or both Simplified and traditional?

We will teach Traditional Chinese. Simplified Chinese will be introduced in upper grade (4th grade).

Is there a multi-year commitment to the MDLI Program?

Learning a new language can be difficult. Students (especially non-native speakers) will have a harder time at first as they are learning a completely new language. When parents accept their child(ren) to the program, they are committed to the program. They will try to stay in the program till the end of elementary school year (5th grade).

If an interdistrict student is accepted into the program are they guaranteed space in subsequent grade levels?

Once we accepted the interdistrict students into the program, they are in the program. They will move with their cohort to the next grade level & onwards.

Is it two separate lottery lists, for native and non-native speakers? Do students who do not have full fluency as tested by FLOSEM then go to the non-native lottery?

If we have more students interested in the program than we have seats, we will need to employ a lottery. We will have a list for native speakers and a list for non-native speakers. If the child took the FLOSEM test and did not pass, they will be put into the non-native speakers list.

Will students enrolling in TK this year have priority for enrolling into dual immersion Kindergarten next year?

Current TK students and incoming kindergarten students will get an equal chance to participate in the program.

Will dual language students participate in programs such as library time, music, etc.?

Yes

How does the program accommodate gifted students?

Similar to all classes, differentiation of instruction will be provided to accommodate students who need additional support and or enrichment.

If the program is unable to get a 50/50 mix of native and non-native speakers (e.g. 30/70), will you still fill up the 48 spots without a 50/50 mix, or will you reduce the number of students in order to get the 50/50 mix?

We wanted to reach a 50/50 mix, but if we don't have it, we will try to adjust to 40/60 or 30/70 mix. We will fill up all the 48 seats.

What is the number reached before the lottery is implemented? 

Twenty four or more students (native speakers) and 24 or more students (non-native speakers).

If we do not get selected through the lottery process, are we just assigned for an English Kinder class?

If your child is not selected through the lottery process, they will be put on a waiting list and/or be assigned to an English only class at their home school.

What Mandarin curriculum will the district be using? 

SMUSD adopted curriculum and Better Immersion will be used for core instructional materials. Additional supplemental instructional materials may be used to complement and reinforce instruction and learning.

Do Carver students have a greater chance of entering the Mandarin Dual language Kindergarten class than students from Valentine?

All students (Carver TK and Valentine TK) and incoming kindergarten students will get an equal chance of entering into the program.

Will parents be notified on the waiting list and will they be able to start the program after Kindergarten?

Yes, parents will be notified if their child(ren) is placed on the waiting list.

Native speakers - the waiting list will carry on from one year to the next pending native language proficiency.

Non-native speakers - the waiting list will expire in December 2024.

Typically, dual language programs do not accept English-only speakers after Kindergarten. Bilingual and biliterate students may be eligible to enter the program at any time by passing the target language (Mandarin) proficiency assessment and should space be available.

Is there any research regarding the success of students in dual immersion programs when the parents don't speak the non-English language?

Districts researched and research data show that students in dual immersion programs perform as well or better than students in non-dual immersion programs. This includes students whose parents do not speak the target language It must be noted however that performance varies for each student.

Will a bell schedule the same as other classes?

The Mandarin Dual Language Immersion Program will have a similar bell schedule as other classes.

Videos on Dual Language Immersion Programs

Inside California Education; Dual Immersion

The Benefits of a Bilingual Brain

Tarwater Elementary: Dual Language Mandarin Immersion Program

Where can I find out additional information about dual immersion instructional models?

https://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/el/er/faq.asp

http://dlpadvocates.org

http://www.bilingualeducation.org/

http://www.carla.umn.edu/index.html

http://www.cal.org/

http://www.clmer.csulb.edu/clmer/

http://www.crede.org/

http://www.cal.org/twi/