Chinese/Mandarin Bilingual Program

Chinese/Mandarin Bilingual Program (K-9)

The Chinese (Mandarin) Bilingual Program provides students with the opportunity to acquire the basic skills for speaking, reading, writing, listening and communicating in both English and Mandarin at a young age. It is a program in which Mandarin and English are used as the languages of instruction, beginning in Kindergarten or Grade 1 and continuing to Grade 9.

Registration

  • Students entering kindergarten or Grade 1 can register.
  • Students with previous Mandarin language experience may start the Mandarin Bilingual program at other grade levels. In the case of alternate entry points, the student, parents and principal of the designated school will meet to determine a personalized plan for successful entry.

  • Previous Chinese experience is not required and parents do not need to know the language.

Transportation

Please see Transportation for Alternative Programs for important information. Parents will want to carefully consider the transportation services to and from the alternative program they want to enrol their child in.

Benefits of Learning Mandarin

  • Expands the intellect
  • Teaches responsible citizenship
  • Develops enhanced feelings of self-esteem due to pride in having acquired a tangible skill
  • Strengthens English literacy skills
  • Encourages the joy of lifelong learning
  • Promotes exploration, understanding and appreciation of the cultures of the Mandarin-speaking world and contributes to multilingualism and multiculturalism
  • Allows students to compete internationally
  • Provides students with more choices for advanced education and career options
  • Broadens students' cultural life through access to literature, art, music and theatre in another language

Benefits of Chinese (Mandarin) Program

  • In elementary, a 50/50 split, and in Grades 7-9, a 30 per cent split in instructional time between English and Mandarin allows students to build fluency in both languages. Children learn to understand and respond appropriately in Mandarin in a range of everyday situations.
  • Students may write the language credentialing exam.

Languages of Instruction

From K to grade 6:

  • Chinese Language Arts is taught in Mandarin
    • Simplified Chinese script is taught beginning in Kindergarten
    • The Han Yu Pin Yin pronunciation system is taught to accelerate the process of learning to read in Chinese
  • Math is taught in Mandarin
  • Science is taught in Mandarin
  • English Language Arts is taught in English
  • All remaining subjects are taught in Mandarin or English or bilingually as determined by schools

From 7 to 9:

  • Chinese Language Arts and Math are taught in Mandarin
  • All remaining subjects are taught in English

How to Register

  • Registration for 2020-21 begins January 2020
  • Refer to designated school’s website for parent information session. Attend parent information session and/or view informational presentation.
  • Complete registration package and take to designated school.
  • Packages will be accepted starting Jan. 14, 2020.
  • Packages must be received by Feb. 12, 2020 at noon.
Please take your completed registration package to your designated school after you have attended the parent information session. Please refer to this school’s website for parent information session details. For families that are new to the CBE and not Canadian citizens, please note you must first attend the Kingsland Reception Centre for an initial assessment prior to registering for an Alternative Program.

Locations

Colonel Irvine School

Phone403-777-7280

EmailEmail School

School WebsiteSchool Website

Harold Panabaker School

Phone403-777-7890

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School WebsiteSchool Website

Highwood School

Phone403-777-6200

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School WebsiteSchool Website

Marion Carson School

Phone403-777-6050

EmailEmail School

School WebsiteSchool Website

Midnapore School

Phone403-777-8680

EmailEmail School

School WebsiteSchool Website



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RT @RoyaloakCBE: On dress like your favourite book character day, there were princesses in the wetlands, living alphabets, and creativity found throughout the school. What a fun way to embrace the energy that fills June! #wearecbe #getoutside https://t.co/jOtfCyD22x

RT @WesternRedhawks: This past year, a committee of students has been hard at work gathering student voice and consulting with Elders and Knowledge Keepers in the planning of a garden in the courtyard area off of the main foyer. #wearecbe https://t.co/r5VyCRdCX9 https://t.co/CuBU8EuVan

LAST CHANCE to register for yellow school bus transportation. If you do not register by the June 11 deadline you will not be included in route planning for the fall and may be responsible for transportation for the first six weeks of school. https://t.co/EV8CAc6U9H #WeAreCBE https://t.co/wi3SDZ4VaI

Friday, June 9 is a system-wide non-instructional day so there are no classes for CBE students. Have a safe long weekend and stay cool! #WeAreCBE https://t.co/aZILp20jXS

RT @Miskanawah: A huge THANK YOU to the students of Forest Lawn High School for supporting our Indigenous children, youth and families to have FUN and POSITIVE learning experiences by donating 50 new backpacks. #miskanawah #YYC #ForestLawnHighSchool https://t.co/mgNkw7uns8