Each of us lives in an increasingly global society, which makes each of us global citizens. Some of the factors that facilitate a prosperous global community include commerce, the value and exchange rate of money, the free-flowing exchange of thoughts and ideas, and technological innovation. One of the most significant factors that are necessary for globalization is communication.

Across the world, approximately 43 percent of the global population speaks at least two languages. In Europe, that number jumps up to 56 percent, but in the U.S., it shrinks to a mere 20 percent, which is surprising considering that 66 percent of employers say they would prefer a bilingual candidate. In today's global economy, speaking multiple languages provides a competitive edge, allows for cultural awareness, and makes travel and communication easier. What better way to become fluent in two languages than to do so during school age in an immersion program? That's what ISD offers as one of the best Chinese schools in Denver.

Chinese as a Second Language

The most commonly spoken Chinese language is Mandarin. Mandarin is a complex language containing thousands of characters with no basis in roman letters. What's more, Chinese is a tonal language, meaning the same syllable may have a different meaning depending on the way it’s pronounced, so intonation is a crucial component of successful communication. School-age children who learn Chinese in an immersion program are the best equipped to integrate the language and become extremely fluent. It is one of the most challenging languages to learn, but there are many advantages to doing so.

Increased Globalization with China as an Emerging Player

The number of people around the world learning Chinese is exploding. Many countries now do business regularly with China, who is gaining more global traction and influence. Foreign expatriates are behind part of the increase for this reason. Learning Chinese positions students to increase their cognitive ability, connect with people of the culture, and perform well in business.

Learning Chinese is Now Considered Practical

Necessity breeds invention. Do-it-Yourself courses and in-person learning have exploded because of the need created by China opening up for trade, which ushered them into the global conversation. Whereas English has always been the predominant language spoken in business, most Chinese, unlike most of the rest of the world, did not learn English. As the U.S. has experienced most of the world when they do business with us, it is now practical to learn to speak their language. The best way to learn is in Chinese classes for students.

China has become deeply ingrained with the U.S., whether that be in academia, through a multinational corporation with an office located in China, or as a result of Chinese investment or business interest in a company. With that being the case, it makes sense that today's youth learn the language to be better prepared for the future.

Learning Chinese Fosters Cultural Awareness

China has been around for over 8,000 years and is steeped in culture and history. There is so much to learn beyond Mandarin, but learning to speak Chinese helps to understand its rich culture and discover its history.

Chinese for Kids

Children's brains are highly pliable and perfect for learning languages. The younger a student is, the easier it is to learn, which is why nearly 90% of in-class learning is in Chinese at the instruction of native Chinese speakers. As children progress through elementary school, the balance shifts to almost 50/50. In grades six to eight, students who persist in the immersion program spend roughly 30 percent of their day taught in Chinese, which consists mainly of language and culture immersion as well as Social Studies.

Fifth-grade students have the opportunity to travel to China for two weeks to learn about its culture and history, meet Chinese students, and put their language skills to the test with real-time application. Learning Chinese at ISD in an immersion environment produces well-rounded, inter-cultural, global citizens who are fully prepared for the future.

Tools for Complete Mastery and Integration

Immersion, practical application, repetition, and practice are four components for successful Chinese language mastery, and these are emphasized at ISD. There are additional ways that students can help integrate the language and culture in their spare time. Combining in-class lessons and real-world experiences yields the best results. Here are three ways our students have achieved success in learning Chinese.

1. Practice with a partner

Practicing with a partner is a great way to apply classroom learning practically. If students can practice with a native Chinese speaker who is also learning English, both parties can support one another in their learning. Another benefit of choosing a partner who is native speaking is that slang and common colloquialisms are learned and practiced. Whether or not a student's partner is native-speaking, the act of consistently practicing what one is learning goes a long way toward full integration of the language.

2. Watch music videos

Music helps facilitate learning and commits items to memory. It also promotes neurocognitive development. Watching music videos with subtitles is a fantastic way to absorb the Chinese language and retain it long-term. Students can search for genres of music they enjoy and combine entertainment with learning mastery.

Watching subtitles on the screen while watching a music video also acts as a mnemonic device by creating connections between Chinese characters, sounds, and words and what is being sung and displayed on the screen. Mnemonic devices are generally able to supplement any learning style, and our students find it helpful.

3. Listen to podcasts

Podcasts continue to increase in popularity, and there are plenty of Chinese speaking podcasts out there to find. Listening to podcasts focuses on the auditory component of learning, which is good practice. We encourage students to find a genre of a podcast that interests them or in a category with which they have some familiarity and listen to several episodes. Auditory listening is best suited for intermediate Chinese speakers.

When it comes to Chinese schools in Denver, ISD students are prepared and equipped to be global citizens, ready to take on the world. Becoming bilingual, whether Chinese or other languages, in an immersive process, is a vital component for success. Combined with our academics and other programs, ISD students are head and shoulders above others. Take a look at our admissions process for more information.