Elementary: Immersion
The elementary school portion of the K-12 Mandarin Immersion Program sets a solid foundation for the long-term goal of students becoming bilingual and biliterate. Students spend half their day learning in English and the other half in Mandarin. Through age-appropriate curriculum and instruction, students develop strong academic and language skills.
Middle School: Immersion
Students in middle school continue their Mandarin language and cultural skill development during daily social studies theme-based classes and Mandarin language arts classes. In continuing to move students toward a high level of functional proficiency, the three-year middle school experience culminates with an opportunity for students to participate in a two-week academic trip to China, where they utilize their language and cultural skills to navigate day-to-day aspects of living and conduct research.
High School: Immersion/Heritage
Portland Public Schools offer rigorous core academic courses in Mandarin along with advanced-level Mandarin language courses. Both heritage and immersion students enroll in these courses, which help students develop skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing at the end of high school. Students aiming to become university-level Flagship Scholars will be strongly encouraged to participate in special preparation courses andengage in community- based language learning experiences.
Undergraduate: Cross-Disciplinary
This four-year, honors-level program at the University of Oregon is the first of its kind in the United States for advanced-level learners of Chinese. UO recruits top students from schools across the country to participate in this program while pursuing degrees in their own areas of academic interest.
