Language Immersion Programs at TISA

What is TISA's Language Immersion Program?

 

TISA's Language Immersion program is tailored for students from kindergarten through 8th grade. In the initial two years (2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school years), we offer Mandarin Chinese and Spanish immersion for K-2 grade students. From the third year onward, we introduce French and/or Japanese to expand language options, adding one more grade level each year until we reach 8th grade.

There are no prerequisites in the target language for admission to TISA.

This immersive approach allows students to develop proficiency in both English and the target language, with the ultimate goal of helping students reach their academic potential, while also educating them to be bilingual, bi-literate, and bicultural. 

​

Frequently Asked Questions:

 

• Is this program right for my child?

 

       Do you value bilingualism and biliteracy?

       Does your child need academic challenges?

       Do you want your child to have an edge in tomorrow's market economy?

       Are you willing to make a long-term commitment to the language immersion program?

If you answered "yes" to any of the questions above, you may wish to consider TISA's language immersion program for your child.

 

• Why language immersion at TISA?

 

TISA is the only school in the Piedmont-Triad area that offers a multi-language immersion program as a whole-school model. Furthermore, it is the sole school in Guilford County that provides Mandarin Chinese immersion from elementary.

 

We prioritize both academic rigor and cultural diversity, firmly believing that every student can learn. At TISA, when students work hard to reach their academic potential, they also gain proficiency in another language and culture, and expand their perspectives on the world. 

​

• Why Spanish at TISA?

 

The Spanish-speaking people who live in the US make up the highest ethnicity among minority groups in the US. There is demand for Spanish-speaking professionals in many areas of the US service economy such as: education, health, business, transportation, and legal to name a few. These workers receive higher salaries compared to American monolingual counterparts. 

​

• Why Mandarin Chinese at TISA?

​

Mandarin Chinese is the most widely spoken language in the world and one of the fastest-growing languages being taught in U.S. schools. Recognized as a Critical Language by the U.S. Department of State, Mandarin holds immense value for future global engagement, career opportunities, and U.S. national defense.

Click to learn more about how the U.S. Department of State recognized Critical Languages​

What is a Critical Language?
Critical languages are those where the demand for trained speakers exceeds the supply. These languages are crucial for political, cultural, economic, and/or U.S. national defense reasons. In addition to Mandarin, other critical languages include Arabic, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Swahili, Turkish, and Urdu, among others.

As High Point, the Furniture Capital of the World, maintains strong business ties with Chinese furniture companies, learning Mandarin offers significant advantages for students. In 2022, China led the global furniture export market with a staggering export value of $80.7 billion USD. By learning Chinese, students can unlock exciting future opportunities in this thriving industry.

​​

• How is the curriculum different from that in other schools?

All TISA students are taught using the Common Core State Standards and NC Essential Standards.

​

Our unique accelerated curricula in math and English Language Arts, developed by our curriculum specialists, prepare our students to exceed their peers in other schools on NC State assessments.

​

Simultaneously, our carefully crafted immersion curriculum prepares our students to achieve proficiency in target language speaking, listening, reading, and writing.

 

 

• How does TISA ensure the students succeed in English Language Arts?

​

While TISA focuses on proficiency in target languages, the immersion curriculum also enhances students' English language skills through exposure to rich language experiences in both languages.

​

In grades K-2, the majority of the school day is taught in the target language following the 75/25 immersion model (approximately 75% of the instruction time in the target language and 25% in English). Students receive one block of English Literacy each day, lasting at least 90 minutes.

​

As students progress to higher grades, the percentage of instruction time in English gradually increases. It reaches a 50/50 split in 5th grade and a 25/75 split in middle school.

​

Specials such as Art, Music, PE, Dance, World Culture, Social & Emotional Learning, etc., are also taught either in English or the target language, depending on the language track.

​

Additionally, parents are encouraged to help students practice reading in English at home to further support their language development.​

​

• How a school looks like at TISA?

​

Here is a sample daily schedule for a kindergarten student. Please note that this is just a sample and the actual schedule may vary.

​

7:45 am - 8:15 am: Arrival (English and Target Language)

8:15 am - 9:00 am: Morning Circle Time (Target Language)

• Welcome, greetings, and discussion of the day's activities 

• Language immersion activities such as songs, stories, and games in the target language

9:00 am - 10:30 am: Math (Target Language) (Snack Time at 10:20 am)

• Math instruction in the target language, including hands-on activities and group work

10:30 am - 12:00 am: English Literacy Block (English)

• English language instruction focusing on reading, writing, and phonics

12:00 pm -1:00 pm: Lunch and Recess (Target Language)

1:00 am -1:30 pm: Music Remediation Time/Rest Time​

1:30 pm - 2:00 pm: Science or Social Studies Specials (English or Target Language)

2:00 pm - 2:45 pm: Specials (Art, Music, PE, World Culture, Social & Emotional Learning, etc.) (English or Target Language)

• Learning about different cultures and traditions in the target language

2:45 pm - 3:15 pm: Guided Reading Groups (English) or Closing Math Circles (Target Language)

• Small group reading or math instruction based on students' individual reading levels

3:15 pm - 3:45 pm: Dismissal (English and Target Language)