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Vanguard Beethoven Secondary Welcomes Mandarin Dual Language Immersion Teacher

Walking into a Vanguard Beethoven Secondary classroom you will hear loud voices filling the classroom practicing the pronunciation of Chinese greeting phrases--“Nǐ hǎo (hello), Xiàwǔ hǎo (good afternoon).”  In its second year, the Mandarin course not just exposes students to other languages and cultures, but allows them to make connections between their culture and others.   

“Partnering with Teachers of Critical Language Program (TCLP) has given our students an opportunity to explore and learn about the Chinese culture, traditions, and language,” said Vanguard Beethoven Secondary Principal Angelica Martinez.

Zeng Xiaolian, a native Mandarin speaker from Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China will lead the program for the 2021-2022 school year using a 50:50 model, employing both English and Mandarin 50 percent of the time throughout the instruction.  

“It has been a great experience,” said Xiaolian.  “The teachers, students, and all of Vanguard Academy have been very friendly and offered me a lot of help with my teaching.”   

Xiaolian, began studying English 30 years ago while in China and attained a degree in English Education.

“I started learning English when I was 12 years old,” she said.  “Shortly after I graduated from college, which was when I was 20 years-old, I became an English teacher in China.”

Xialian feels it is also important for students to communicate in Chinese and American languages and learn from each other’s culture. 

Mrs. Martinez also agrees.

“Mrs. Zeng is our second Mandarin Chinese teacher and she has acclimated into our Beethoven community effortlessly,” said Martinez.  “She enjoys working with our students from 4th to high school.  Our students have been blessed with this great program.”