At Little Bee, we are proud to offer a bilingual English-Mandarin Immersion Preschool, with Chinese and English classrooms available at both our Presidio and Lombard locations. Through immersive, interactive learning, children not only develop conversational Mandarin skills but also learn Simplified Chinese Characters, preparing them for a multilingual future.

 

đź“™ How does it work?

In our Mandarin-rich environment, children are surrounded by Chinese language and culture daily. Through stories, poetry, music, and cultural activities, our native Mandarin-speaking teachers create an immersive experience. These teachers exclusively speak Mandarin with the students and each other, ensuring a fully authentic language-learning environment.

 

🎓 Why should my child learn Chinese?

Mandarin is not only one of the most widely spoken languages globally but also a key language in international business and cultural exchange. By learning Mandarin, your child will gain:

  • A competitive edge in the global economy.

  • Enhanced cognitive skills, including improved memory and problem-solving abilities.

  • An appreciation for cultural diversity, instilling open-mindedness from a young age.

Starting early is essential—young children can naturally pick up the tones and speech patterns unique to Mandarin. Delayed learning often makes proper pronunciation more challenging.

 

💭 What if we don’t speak Chinese at home?

No prior exposure to Chinese is required for enrollment in our Mandarin Immersion Program. Children who don’t speak Mandarin at home can thrive in our immersive classrooms, learning to understand and communicate in Mandarin through consistent exposure.

Our approach helps children naturally differentiate between a “school language” and a “home language.” While some initial confusion may arise, it’s always temporary. You’ll be amazed at how quickly your child will begin navigating their world in both English and Mandarin, building countless neural connections in the process.

 

đź“Š How much Chinese will my child learn?

Every child learns at their own pace, and we adapt our lessons to match each child’s Chinese proficiency level. Language retention varies, but all children benefit from exposure to a new language during this critical period of cognitive development.

  • Beginner Learners: Gain foundational language comprehension and basic speaking skills.

  • Advanced Learners: Build on existing Mandarin skills and deepen understanding.

  • Simplified Chinese Characters: Introduced in the 4-5-year-old classroom, focusing on recognition and writing.

 

🌎 A world of opportunities

At Little Bee, we don’t just teach Chinese/Mandarin; we foster a love for languages, cultures, and lifelong learning. Hence, we hope you join us in preparing your child for a bright, multilingual future!