How and what courses are taught in Chinese in the K-12?
The Chinese immersion programs in Portland Public School Districts (PPS) started in 1997 as a grassroots effort by parents and educators, eager to replicate the success of Japanese and Spanish immersion programs in the PPS, for a growing Chinese community. Students begin studying Chinese through developmentally appropriate curriculum and instruction in kindergarten. The program is structured on the total language learning approach incorporating content-based curriculum, explicit language instruction, and experiential learning practices. Students in the K-12 program have unparalleled opportunities to connect with communities of Chinese speakers through service learning, internships, and study abroad in China. In 2005, the PPS Flagship program had over 350 students. This number will increase significantly as the immersion program expands its capacity due to the increasing demand.
