Bolton, Sunset and Stafford to implement the programs this fall

The West Linn-Wilsonville School District is appealing to local families to host two Mandarin teachers from China during the 2012-2013 school year.

Next year, the school is launching a world language program featuring Mandarin at Bolton, Sunset and Stafford primary schools.

Willamette, Cedaroak Park and Trillium Creek students, who are not already in the language immersion program, will implement Spanish as the target language.

While students aren’t expected to achieve the same level of proficiency by fifth grade as the language immersion students, the goal of the world language program is for all children to enter middle school with basic proficiency in the selected language.

The Mandarin teachers, who are coming to West Linn from the Confucius Institute, are certified in China with master’s degrees to teach Chinese to non-Chinese speakers. Both instructors also speak English.

“It really is an honor for them that our school district wants to support teaching of the Chinese language,” said Assistant Superintendent Kathy Ludwig.

The Confucius Institute, which partners with Portland State University, has 350 programs in 100 countries with more than 500 classrooms.

Through a partnership with the Confucius Institute and the Chinese government, K-12 schools are eligible for financial support as well as support in finding Mandarin teachers. The Confucius Institute provides graduate-level training at Portland State University through a matching grant and helps Chinese teachers to apply for their Chinese language endorsement at the secondary level with the state of Oregon.

The institute has also helped to establish 13 Chinese secondary classrooms in Oregon since it started in 2007, even helping to provide textbooks and materials to start a Chinese language library.

The district is looking for families that can provide an evening meal in addition to lodging. In an email to district families, Ludwig said, “We will be asking all of our families to also consider inviting our instructors to various local activities and events throughout the school year to enhance their cultural experience of West Linn and Oregon.

“Among the many benefits of hosting are the opportunities for your family to learn about another culture as well as Chinese language practice for your child.”

In class, the teachers will provide all students Mandarin instruction once a week.

Classroom teachers will introduce the language through music, poems, chants, books and digital materials.

In second through fifth grade, the classroom teachers will also use Rosetta Stone curriculum to learn the language together with the students.

The curriculum will be available during the summer and can be accessed at home for students or teachers.

Other enhancements to the world language program will include classroom support, such as calendars and signs in the selected language; cultural assemblies; native-speaking guests; heritage celebrations; music program integration; sister-school relationships; and high school student tutors.

If you are interested in hosting one of the Chinese instructors, email or call Vickie Lee at the school district office: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , 503-673-7010 by Aug. 1.