Orange Unified School District has decided to push forward with its popular elementary-school program that teaches children Mandarin Chinese.
The district this school year introduced the Mandarin Dual Language Immersion Program at Fletcher Elementary School, which allows kindergarten and first-grade children to learn the language. Fletcher Elementary is one of only two public schools in Orange County with a Mandarin-immersion program.
Students learn about 50 percent of their daily lessons in Mandarin and 50 percent in English. District officials said they introduced the program to better prepare students to compete globally, as China continues to grow as a world power. This school year, about 30 students in each grade are participating in the program.
"I think teaching Mandarin is one of the most important things schools can do to give students a leg up," said Victoria Castillo, a parent with the school's PTA. "This shows how a school can evolve to better meet the educational needs of children."
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