- 你好！欢迎来到中文天地!
- nǐ hǎo! huān yíng lái dào zhōng wén tiān dì !
Hello! Welcome to the Chinese World!
"Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere." ‒Chinese Proverb
-
About Our Program - The Chinese Immersion program at Begich Middle School offers Chinese language and cultural lessons to all immersion students.
More Information
For additional information about ASD language programs, please visit the World Languages website.
- ASD Immersion Family Guidebook
- Immersion Essentials: Supporting Language Acquisition
Language Acquisition Pathway
Here are a few frequently asked questions and responses to help families and students on their literacy and language acquisition journey
Why Immersion? - Language and communication are at the heart of the human experience. Immersion-based learning involves surrounding students with a language to boost their literacy, increase academic achievement, develop thinking skills, and explore a culturally sensitive outlook. Dual language immersion programs facilitate the development of biliteracy over an extended period of time; the ability for students to speak, listen, read and write in two languages. Becoming biliterate opens the door for communication with those of other cultures and prepares students to enter a world of globalization.
Are some languages more difficult to learn than others? - Languages balance out so that each language has some things that are easy for that language and some things that are hard for that language. This is true of learning your first language, as well as a second language. No language is more difficult than another and each language presents its own easy and hard “stuff.” (VanPatten & Simonsen, 2022)
How long will it take for my child to learn a second language (L2)? - Acquisition takes time. The average child spends about 14,000 hours engaged in language acquisition by the beginning of kindergarten. Some aspects of language aren't in place until the learner hits middle school, or even later. L2 acquisition also takes time. Research shows that development spans years, with thousands of hours involved, as in the case of L1 acquisition. Language develops in an ordered way - this is not a fast-moving phenomenon. Instead, it is slow and steady which is why our ASD Immersion Program offerings span from grades K-12.
Are there stages of language acquisition that will help us know if progress is being made? - As your learner experiences language acquisition, he/she will travel through stages in the acquisition of particular structures or features. Proficiency levels are not focused on linguistic features but instead on three things: what learners can talk about, the context in which they can talk about it, and how well they can talk about it. Proficiency levels are about what learners can do with language in the context of an oral testing situation. The guidelines are not a description or explanation of acquisition; rather, they are descriptors of performance at a particular point in time. (Van Patten & Simonsen, 20220)
Is there a visual to help make the concept of proficiency development more clear? - Language acquisition is a journey that develops over time. Your child will progress through this development. Language itself unfolds in particular ways over time independently of learner differences. The graphic below shows the language acquisition levels and some examples of reaching higher levels of proficiency:
In the graphic, there are several checkpoints along the path (i.e. wooden signs); do these have learning targets that will help my child understand the skills needing to be developed? - Learning targets are an important part of language acquisition and biliteracy development. Learning target statements help families and students understand what student behaviors are focused on during lessons (i.e., listening, speaking, reading, writing). Learning targets help inform grading, instructional pacing, and class assignments.
Learning targets are written in student-friendly language, posted, and discussed during lessons, so students are aware of what skill is being developed. These learning targets help students to discuss “what” they are learning in class so they can speak to their success. Here are a few examples of learning targets at each level of proficiency (left to right):
Does the ASD Immersion Program have proficiency targets that are consistent across immersion programs? - Yes! At various times throughout the year, data is gathered and used to celebrate student success toward developing language acquisition proficiency. The table below provides a vertical picture of progress across grade levels. (Please note, your child’s journey may vary in progress; however, these are the goals across our Immersion Programs.) Starting in second grade, students have the opportunity to take a STAMP assessment which provides critical information (nationally recognized) on the progress your learner is making in the areas of reading, writing, listening, and speaking. As your learner progresses through each grade level, they will be able to see their progress toward becoming biliterate. During their Junior and/or Senior year in high school, they can even apply for the Seal of Biliteracy!
How can my family support our learner - especially if we do not know the language ourselves?
There are many ways to support L2 acquisition throughout your learner’s K-12 experience. Here are several suggestions to explore and consider during their school experience:
Learn with your child
When discussing a school day with your child, ask them to tell you a new word or phrase they learned in their second language classroom. Tell them that you would like to learn from them. Kids love taking on the role of teacher and filling in their family members on how to pronounce new words and phrases.
Engage in activities in the target language outside the classroom
Kids who get to encounter their target language outside of school are more likely to build a stronger love for it. Experiences like cooking traditional food can turn the language into a real part of their lives. Explore Chinese events and cultural experiences throughout Anchorage. Visit food markets and restaurants to expose your child to cultural traditions.
Encourage curiosity
Motivate your child to question the world around them. Curiosity is a core competency of global leadership as global citizens have a genuine desire to learn about and experience the world. If your child is curious about a certain area in English, encourage them to explore it in Chinese. You can join them and help them in that effort.
Develop study habits
When kids know how to study effectively, they’ll be less likely to experience frustration. Allocate a special place at home for completing homework assignments. Establish a schedule that works for your family to complete the assignments. Break down assignments so your student is less overwhelmed. Take homework time as an opportunity for you to learn from your child.
Use technology
Switch the apps children use to Chinese language, and watch as they instinctively begin to engage. If your child is a fan of video games, change the language when they play! They’ll have just as much fun while learning new target language words along the way.
When it comes to online videos, your child can watch age-appropriate content in their target language. Turn on Chinese or English captions and let them watch videos about anything they like, whether it’s animals, space, dinosaurs, etc.
Support your child’s teacher and school
Join your school’s PTO and/or a parent group specific to the language program; Friends of Chinese Immersion. This is a great way to get to know our school community and stay informed about school-related extracurricular activities and family events. Volunteering at PTO/FCI events helps to support our school community and commitment to your child’s education.
For more information, please check out our ASD World Languages and Immersion Programs at https://www.asdk12.org/worldlanguages
If you have site specific questions, please feel free to reach out to your child’s amazing teacher, or contact our knowledgeable front office staff at 907-742-0500.
We are looking forward to another memorable school year!
