Language Immersion Programs for Young Children? Yes...But Proceed with Caution.

BEIJING (China); CHINA

The article discusses the 3e International program in Beijing, China, an English-Mandarin immersion program for students as young as age two through third grade. Students in the program come from 25 nationalities and speak neither English nor Mandarin when they enter. Beginning at age three, students spend three hours per day in English and three in Mandarin. Classes use developmentally appropriate guidelines as presented by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, combining child-initiated and teacher-directed activities. Research on cognitive advantages of such a program is discussed, including motivation for higher levels of cognitive flexibility, awareness of metalinguistic structures of language, and advantages of learning a language at a young age. INSET: Parents of 3e students.