Mandarin Dual Language Program

Phone Number

(425) 456-4058

The Mandarin Dual Language Program brings students together from different language backgrounds to learn while instruction is systematically delivered in two languages. Students read, write, listen and speak in both languages becoming bilingual, biliterate, bicultural while working towards grade level academic achievement. Dual language offers a chance for students to add another language while at the optimal age for language learning.

The Mandarin Dual Language Program is ideal for any student. Young children have the ability to gain language faster with near native like language skills. And learning a language at a young age increases cognitive development, which allows for deeper levels of learning.

Students who join the program will see incredible benefits throughout their life. Knowing two languages allows for greater success in university language classes and employment opportunities. Additionally, language skills open the door to other countries, cultures and people.

Locations

The Mandarin Dual Language Program is open to all Bellevue School District families. Students are not required to live within a specific attendance area in order to attend.

Jing Mei Elementary School

12635 SE 56th Street, Bellevue, WA 98006
Jing Mei Website
(425) 456-6900

Tillicum Middle School

11650 SE 60th Street, Bellevue, WA 98006 (Temporary Location)
Tillicum Website
(425) 456-6700

Enrollment

Most students begin the Mandarin Dual Language Program as kindergartners at Jing Mei Elementary School. Kindergarten applications for Jing Mei are accepted from mid-January until mid-February before the student begins school. If you miss the Kindergarten application deadline, or you would like to join the waiting list for another grade, please send us an email.

Elementary School Model

The instructional day consists of 325 minutes (200 minutes on Wednesdays), including specialists* but not including lunch and recesses, equaling 1500 minutes per week. Taking out Specialists, total classroom time is 285 minute per day (200 minutes on Wednesdays), equaling 1340 minutes per week. All students receive the instructional program as detailed below:

Specialists provided in English: Library, PE, Art, Music

In 2nd grade, Science is taught in Mandarin during the first half of the school year. For the second half of the school year Science instruction switches to English.

In 3rd-5th grade, minutes of instruction in each language will vary slightly throughout the year due to our Thematic Unit and Project-Based approach to instruction.

Middle School Model

Our middle school program offers at least two classes per day in Chinese to further develop a student’s proficiency while providing practical application and use of language through content area instruction.