Duval County Public Schools' first Chinese immersion program is scheduled to open this fall at an existing charter school that focuses on foreign languages.
Lace front wigsGlobal Outreach Charter School, a K-8 school in its first year of operation, agreed to add the Mandarin language program after a group of parents with adopted children from China approached Duval schools seeking an immersion experience.
Carol Mackoul, whose 5-year-old daughter is Chinese, helped spearhead the program and intends to enroll her daughter next school year.
"Having that language, the first language that she heard, I think is going to be a gift for her, whether she uses it just for herself or for the business world 20 years from now," Mackoul said.
Mackoul is among about 250 members of First Coast Families with Children from China. About 150 of those members are adopted children.
Global Principal Ralph Della Crosse said the Mandarin program fits the school's mission.
tag heuer replica"The most important thing is I don't want the kids to feel separated," he said. "I want them to share their cultural heritage with each other."
Della Crosse estimates the new program will serve about 100 students. About 30 students have already pre-enrolled.
Immersion programs typically offer students instruction in core subjects, such as math and science, in a foreign language. Global currently focuses on the Russian language and has about 220 students, 65 percent of whom are of Slavic descent.
Della Crosse said the Mandarin program would likely begin as a K- 2, depending on the age of the students that enroll. The program will grow a grade each year until it becomes a K-8.
Global is hosting an information session on the program today from 4 to 6 p.m., 9570 Regency Square Blvd. The public is invited.
There's a growing need in Jacksonville for programs like the Mandarin immersion program, said Lian An, assistant professor of economics at the University of North Florida and principal of UNF's Chinese School.
The Mandarin language will become particularly important to Jacksonville as the city increases its profile as a port city and enters into more business relationships with Chinese companies, An said.
"Learning Chinese can provide the kids an edge to compete in this changing world economy," she said. About one in four people in the world speak Mandarin, An said.
Bryan Clontz and his wife Kim worked with Mackoul in spearheading the program.
The couple said they'd be looking for a Mandarin immersion program for their adopted daughters even if they weren't Chinese.
"In the next 10 to 20 years,
embroidered patches I don't think there will be any more important language than Mandarin because of its economic importance," Bryan Clontz said. "It's the language of the 21st century."(904) 359-4169
Other articles:
http://www.baihv.com/Feature-Chinese-modern-dance-g.html