Frequently Asked Questions
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Here are answers to questions that are frequently asked by parents who are interested in A&D Stars. If your question isn’t answered below, or if you’d like to speak with someone further,
please call us at (240) 205-2262, or reach us by email at [email protected]. We would be happy to talk to you! |
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1. What does immersion really mean?
Immersion means that the children are completely immersed in a new language (Mandarin Chinese in our case) for the majority of their day so that they can absorb the new language in a most natural way. At A&D Stars we use an 80/20 dual immersion model, where the children spend 80% of their day in Chinese and 20% in English.
Immersion means that the children are completely immersed in a new language (Mandarin Chinese in our case) for the majority of their day so that they can absorb the new language in a most natural way. At A&D Stars we use an 80/20 dual immersion model, where the children spend 80% of their day in Chinese and 20% in English.
2. Who is A&D Stars Chinese Dual Immersion Preschool Program for?
A&D Stars is a great option for English-speaking families who want to give their child the gift of bilingualism! Mandarin is such a different language from English that unless a child learns it at a young age, he will need to dedicate an inordinate amount of time to master it. For instance, as we age, our brain loses the ability to hear differences in tones specific to Mandarin that denote meaning; without being able to readily hear the tones and to reproduce them correctly, we are unable to speak the language in the right way.
A&D Stars is also a good option for children who have at least one Mandarin-speaking parent, to retain their Mandarin Chinese skills beyond the toddler years. Many families who speak a language other than English at home report that children lose their motivation to speak the language once they are surrounded by English in preschool or in elementary school. By surrounding your child with Mandarin language and Chinese culture throughout the formative preschool years, you will increase the chances that he will continue to speak Mandarin Chinese for life.
A&D Stars is a great option for English-speaking families who want to give their child the gift of bilingualism! Mandarin is such a different language from English that unless a child learns it at a young age, he will need to dedicate an inordinate amount of time to master it. For instance, as we age, our brain loses the ability to hear differences in tones specific to Mandarin that denote meaning; without being able to readily hear the tones and to reproduce them correctly, we are unable to speak the language in the right way.
A&D Stars is also a good option for children who have at least one Mandarin-speaking parent, to retain their Mandarin Chinese skills beyond the toddler years. Many families who speak a language other than English at home report that children lose their motivation to speak the language once they are surrounded by English in preschool or in elementary school. By surrounding your child with Mandarin language and Chinese culture throughout the formative preschool years, you will increase the chances that he will continue to speak Mandarin Chinese for life.
3. How do you teach Chinese to the children?
We don’t “teach” Chinese to the children. Language is not the content of instruction, but the vehicle for it. Please view "How does it work?" for more details.
We don’t “teach” Chinese to the children. Language is not the content of instruction, but the vehicle for it. Please view "How does it work?" for more details.
4. How do non-Chinese speakers learn Chinese?
At this stage, children do not need every word to be translated for them, because by observing and interacting in an environment that immerses them in the language, they are able to figure out meaning from context, thereby picking up vocabulary. Our teachers use a variety of verbal and non-verbal communication techniques to facilitate understanding, and adjust strategies to the individual level of each child as the school year progresses. Our research-based approach builds upon young learners’ natural tendency to pick up languages.
At this stage, children do not need every word to be translated for them, because by observing and interacting in an environment that immerses them in the language, they are able to figure out meaning from context, thereby picking up vocabulary. Our teachers use a variety of verbal and non-verbal communication techniques to facilitate understanding, and adjust strategies to the individual level of each child as the school year progresses. Our research-based approach builds upon young learners’ natural tendency to pick up languages.
5. Won’t learning two languages confuse my child?
A young child's brain has more than enough horsepower to cope with two languages or more without affecting the dominant language. This has been well proven by decades of research and countless families around the world, including the many bilingual countries where multilingualism is the norm. Studies have shown that immersion experience actually advances English language Development.
Children don’t have the hesitations or fears about language like adults do! To them, it is a fun game. They absorb language incredibly quickly and that’s true for one, two, or three languages at a time, especially during the early years when language is so easily absorbed.
A young child's brain has more than enough horsepower to cope with two languages or more without affecting the dominant language. This has been well proven by decades of research and countless families around the world, including the many bilingual countries where multilingualism is the norm. Studies have shown that immersion experience actually advances English language Development.
Children don’t have the hesitations or fears about language like adults do! To them, it is a fun game. They absorb language incredibly quickly and that’s true for one, two, or three languages at a time, especially during the early years when language is so easily absorbed.
6. How will my child learn English? Will my child be ready for Kindergarten?
Many parents are initially fearful that immersion may have a negative impact on their child’s English language developments since we focus on building Mandarin language and literacy skills first.
Rest assured, though, that your child will stay on or ahead of track in English compared to children attending traditional preschools by the time they enter kindergarten. We introduce English letters and sounds and early writing skills starting as young as age three or three-and-a-half. English literacy is brought to the classroom everyday by an English-language Teacher.
Research also consistently finds that the immersion experience actually enhances English language development.
Many parents are initially fearful that immersion may have a negative impact on their child’s English language developments since we focus on building Mandarin language and literacy skills first.
Rest assured, though, that your child will stay on or ahead of track in English compared to children attending traditional preschools by the time they enter kindergarten. We introduce English letters and sounds and early writing skills starting as young as age three or three-and-a-half. English literacy is brought to the classroom everyday by an English-language Teacher.
Research also consistently finds that the immersion experience actually enhances English language development.
7. What if my child feels lost or doesn’t understand?
From their first step into the classroom, the children are made to feel safe and secure. We would NEVER let children feel lost because of a language barrier! Our first and foremost concern is the child. We want them to love their first experience of school, and we would never let them miss out on any experience because of a language issue. Our teachers are warm, loving and patient. We use songs, pictures and drawings, props, body languages, exaggerated facial expressions, and hand-on activities to help children understand what we’re saying. We will absolutely use English in the moment we notice the child needs it.
From their first step into the classroom, the children are made to feel safe and secure. We would NEVER let children feel lost because of a language barrier! Our first and foremost concern is the child. We want them to love their first experience of school, and we would never let them miss out on any experience because of a language issue. Our teachers are warm, loving and patient. We use songs, pictures and drawings, props, body languages, exaggerated facial expressions, and hand-on activities to help children understand what we’re saying. We will absolutely use English in the moment we notice the child needs it.
8. Our home language is Chinese. What is the best way for my kid to learn English?
Many non-native English speaking parents believe that the best way for their preschoolers to learn English and get ready for kindergarten is by immersing them in a 100% English immersion classroom and "forcing" them to pick up the language quickly. Research has shown that:
Many non-native English speaking parents believe that the best way for their preschoolers to learn English and get ready for kindergarten is by immersing them in a 100% English immersion classroom and "forcing" them to pick up the language quickly. Research has shown that:
- The best programs for young English language learners are Dual Language Immersion programs.
- Bombarding preschool English language learners with only English may actually result in LESS success in learning English.
9. What if we don’t speak Chinese at home?
There are many ways to support your budding bilingual child! You don’t need to speak Chinese to be able to support them. They will gladly tell you and teach you what they learn! At A&D Stars, we want our parents to be involved in any way they can, and we make sure that parents are getting all the information and opportunities they need to be part of our community.
There are many ways to support your budding bilingual child! You don’t need to speak Chinese to be able to support them. They will gladly tell you and teach you what they learn! At A&D Stars, we want our parents to be involved in any way they can, and we make sure that parents are getting all the information and opportunities they need to be part of our community.
10. How large is the class size?
We have a mixed-age class of 2-5 years old. The ratio is 2 teachers to 12 children.
We have a mixed-age class of 2-5 years old. The ratio is 2 teachers to 12 children.
11. Do you provide food?
Yes. We provide healthy hot lunch and snacks for the children (costs included in the monthly tuition). We feel that it is very important to provide well balanced meals and snacks to fuel our little stars and get them ready to learn. Our menus are created using USDA guidelines.
Yes. We provide healthy hot lunch and snacks for the children (costs included in the monthly tuition). We feel that it is very important to provide well balanced meals and snacks to fuel our little stars and get them ready to learn. Our menus are created using USDA guidelines.
12. How does A&D Stars help children transition into this new language environment?
At A&D Stars, we welcome both children who are new to the Chinese language, and children from households where some family members can speak Chinese. Parents often ask how children who do not speak the classroom language handle the transition. After all, it’s already a new environment – and now they need to enter it without understanding the language the teachers and some of their peers speak! To help you address these concerns for your child, we will look at how we help children transition.
First, our program is designed to help children easily transition by participating naturally in the Mandarin Chinese environment. Our classroom is a very hands-on environment. Most materials are readily accessible: Children can take a puzzle, blocks or music instrument, and enjoy themselves even if they cannot speak the language. A child who just joined will observe how other children get activities from the shelves, how they sit on the rug for circle time, how they sit down at the snack table and put away dishes afterwards. Since much of the learning happens at a perceptual, non-verbal level, even children who do not speak the language can easily model after the others.
Secondly, our teachers add gestures and body movements to help children understand them and learn to recognize key words and phrases in their new language. For example, we will point to the bathroom and rub hands together to suggest it is time to wash hands. While in the washroom, we will demonstrate turning on water, pumping soap, rubbing, rinsing and drying hands. We will provide the language for each step, slow down, point, and repeat – so that your child can understand what to do right away while taking his time to absorb the new language. At free play time, our teachers move around the classroom to make sure that all children get the attention and help they need. We sit down with a child and demonstrate, in slow movement (not purely verbal lessons) how a certain activity works. The child can follow along and learn how to do it, even if he initially doesn’t understand the words the teacher offers.
Lastly, our classroom combines freedom for individual activities with a very clear structure and routine. Consistency and predictability are a great help to a child who enters any new setting. This is especially true when a child enters a classroom of a new language. Keeping a predictable schedule and routines such as classroom jobs, morning meetings can help children feel more confident, develop a sense of belonging and be more competent as a member of our classroom community.
At A&D Stars, we welcome both children who are new to the Chinese language, and children from households where some family members can speak Chinese. Parents often ask how children who do not speak the classroom language handle the transition. After all, it’s already a new environment – and now they need to enter it without understanding the language the teachers and some of their peers speak! To help you address these concerns for your child, we will look at how we help children transition.
First, our program is designed to help children easily transition by participating naturally in the Mandarin Chinese environment. Our classroom is a very hands-on environment. Most materials are readily accessible: Children can take a puzzle, blocks or music instrument, and enjoy themselves even if they cannot speak the language. A child who just joined will observe how other children get activities from the shelves, how they sit on the rug for circle time, how they sit down at the snack table and put away dishes afterwards. Since much of the learning happens at a perceptual, non-verbal level, even children who do not speak the language can easily model after the others.
Secondly, our teachers add gestures and body movements to help children understand them and learn to recognize key words and phrases in their new language. For example, we will point to the bathroom and rub hands together to suggest it is time to wash hands. While in the washroom, we will demonstrate turning on water, pumping soap, rubbing, rinsing and drying hands. We will provide the language for each step, slow down, point, and repeat – so that your child can understand what to do right away while taking his time to absorb the new language. At free play time, our teachers move around the classroom to make sure that all children get the attention and help they need. We sit down with a child and demonstrate, in slow movement (not purely verbal lessons) how a certain activity works. The child can follow along and learn how to do it, even if he initially doesn’t understand the words the teacher offers.
Lastly, our classroom combines freedom for individual activities with a very clear structure and routine. Consistency and predictability are a great help to a child who enters any new setting. This is especially true when a child enters a classroom of a new language. Keeping a predictable schedule and routines such as classroom jobs, morning meetings can help children feel more confident, develop a sense of belonging and be more competent as a member of our classroom community.