Language Immersion Home / Programs / Language Immersion Did you know? LePort was one of the first Montessori schools to offer full language immersion! In our classrooms, our students hear and use their new language all day long. They engage in activities like storytelling, group lessons, and practical life exercises all in the new language. Instead of memorizing words, our students learn by working together with peers. Our programs are open to children ages 18 months to 4 years old. Older children who already know some Mandarin, or have a strong Montessori background, may also be able to join. The programs follow the Montessori 3-year cycle, finishing in the child’s kindergarten year. Contact Us Benefits of Learning a Second Language Personal Benefits A second language helps your child talk to more people and explore new places with ease. It also helps them connect better with family members who may not speak English. As they grow older, knowing a second language can make high school easier. It might even create more job opportunities. Cognitive Benefits Research shows that knowing two languages leads children to be more creative and improves their problem solving skills. They often have a stronger memory and can focus better. Children with this experience also do well with tasks such as understanding hard sentences or doing math in their heads. Studies suggest that knowing two languages could even delay Alzheimer’s symptoms later in life. Academic Benefits Some people worry that learning two languages might hurt school performance. Studies show the opposite! Bilingual children often have a better grasp of grammar and language rules. They also tend to score higher on tests like the SAT. How Language Immersion Complements Montessori Learning at Your Own Pace: Every child learns in their own way and at their own speed. Teachers give lessons that fit each child, so they never feel rushed. Learning by Doing: Children don’t just memorize words. They hear and use the new language as they complete their work, play outside, and help in the classroom. Building Confidence: Making mistakes is part of learning. This helps our students feel good about themselves and makes learning a new language easier. Interactive Learning: Our teachers encourage hands-on learning. Our students repeat what their teachers say while doing tasks such as setting the table or building with blocks. Mandarin Immersion Program Our Mandarin Immersion program gives our students a chance to learn one of the world’s hardest languages. We teach both the language and the culture. Two native Mandarin-speaking teachers lead each classroom and speak only in Mandarin with the students all day. This helps them learn the language quickly and naturally. They teach children Chinese characters and Zhuyin (a phonetic alphabet from Taiwan). Our students hear stories, sing songs, make art, and learn about traditions. We also celebrate events like Chinese New Year and the Moon Festival. Goals Speak and hold conversations in Mandarin with friends and teachers. Start reading simple Mandarin books. Write in Mandarin, learning how to draw Zhuyin and Chinese characters and recognizing up to 80 of them. Be ready to continue learning both Mandarin and English in the elementary years.
