Heritage Language Programs - Chinese
Northern Virginia Experimental Chinese School
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Address: Chantilly High School, 4201 Stringfellow Rd. Chantilly, VA 20151
Web address: http://www.nvaecs.org
Levels: Pre-K-12
Languages/dialects taught: Mandarin Chinese
Program Description
Program mission statement:
• To provide the opportunity for the local community to acquire
Chinese language and cultural knowledge
• To promote the awareness of cultural diversity and harmony among
the students and the community
• To apply non-traditional educational methods to supplement classroom
teaching, such as cultural, social, sports, and other extra-curricular
activities
Type of program:
• Saturday academy
Program origin: Founded in 1992
Students
Students:
• Second-generation immigrants, 98%
• Children of interethnic marriages, 1%
• Non-ethnic background, 1%
Countries of origin: Most families are from Taiwan, some from Hong Kong, and a few from China.
Total student enrollment: 300
How the program identifies heritage speakers: Interviews with the students
How the program determines the language background and language proficiency of students: By oral interview. Oral interviews are conducted at the time of registration for new students’ class placement.
Percentage of students who complete the program: 50%
Percentage of students who continue to study the heritage language after completing the program: 20%
Instructors
Number of instructors in the program: 30
Languages in which instructors are proficient: Mandarin Chinese, English
Proficiency level: Native proficiency
Credentials:
• BA
• MA
Instruction
Total contact hours per week: Two hours
Student grouping: By grade level, from Pre-K to 10th grade
Language skills
Heritage language skills:
• Listening
• Speaking
• Reading
• Writing
Culture
Aspects of culture taught:
• History
• Festivals
• Customs
• Traditions/Beliefs
• Arts and crafts
• Rhymes
• Social and cultural norms
• Cultural appropriateness
• Literature
Assessment
Assessments used to evaluate students’ progress:
• Weekly quizzes
• Chapter tests
• Mid-term tests
• Final exams
• Teacher’s observations
• Performance-based tasks or assessment
Articulation
Connections with other institutions: Colleges and universities
What the program has in place
Financial support the program receives: Tuition
Other support the program receives: Some donations from parent volunteers
Solicitation of funding: By the fundraising director
