Mandarin Immersion Program

Learning Chinese Mandarin stimulates cognitive development by stimulating different areas of the brain. This enhances cognitive development and problem-solving abilities. Learning Chinese Mandarin can also enhance the understanding of mathematical concepts.

With China boasting the world’s second-largest and one of the fastest-growing economies, proficiency in Chinese opens up numerous job and career opportunities. Moreover, given China’s increasing global influence, having Chinese language skills is highly valuable for careers in national defense, intelligence, and international relations involving affairs with China and other Asian nations.

TUSD’s Chinese Mandarin Immersion program also delve into a rich history of culture and traditions, including Chinese calligraphy, art, dance, and engaging in holiday celebrations.

Mandarin Chinese is one of the most spoken languages in the world, and is spoken in:

• China
• Taiwan
• Singapore
• Hong Kong
• Macau
• Malaysia
• Tibet

Please find linked the TUSD Age Enrollment Chart to detemrine if your child is eligible for enrollment in grades TK and K for the 2025-26 school year. 

The Mandarin Immersion Program will be taking TK and K Eligible kids for the 2025-26 school year. Please refer to the age enrollment chart on the Enrollment Page on the TUSD webiste. 

Students enrolled will have the same opportunity to apply to the existing after-school program as all other students. Enrollment in the after-school program is handled by the independent after-school program on campus. 

The Mandarin Immersion Program is currently designed for TK-5. We will be working to develop options in grades 6-8 for further Mandarin language development. We currently offer Mandarin Language Courses at the high school level. 

No, students generally do not need prior knowledge of the target language for one-way immersion programs. One-way immersion programs are designed for students to learn the target language from the ground up, regardless of their previous exposure. The goal is to immerse them in the target language (e.g., Mandarin, Spanish) from the start, allowing them to acquire language skills naturally through context, interactions, and structured lessons. These programs often provide scaffolding and support to help students succeed, even if they are complete beginners in the language. The immersive environment accelerates language acquisition by surrounding students with the language in everyday situations, fostering both comprehension and communication skills over time.

Tustin Unified’s Mandarin program will foster language and literacy in Chinese and English through personalized, student-centered learning. The development of the program upholds our mission to provide a learning community rich in heritage and committed to a tradition of excellence. Strategic planning will ensure that each student optimizes individual achievement through a program characterized by challenging and exciting curricula and inspiring personalized instruction, while promoting biliteracy in Mandarin and English. TK–5 students will build foundational knowledge and oral skills through a rigorous approach to literacy. English Language Arts follows the Science of Reading framework, while Mandarin instruction uses a balanced language and literacy approach, emphasizing interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational communication. Transitional Kindergarten focuses on oral proficiency and early literacy, with bilingual fluency and literacy systematically developed through Grade 5. Students benefit from a leveled reading system and an online platform, along with a vertically aligned writing framework in both languages. Teachers use varied methods—direct instruction, group work, independent practice, and technology—to help students gain and apply new skills effectively.

In our One Way Immersion program, our students will start off with 90% Mandarin instruction in TK and K to foster natural language acquisition, build a strong foundation in vocabulary and grammar, and encourage fluency through consistent exposure. This immersion also supports cultural understanding, enhancing the overall learning experience. As students progress, the language instruction gradually transitions to a balanced 50/50 approach, where half of the day is taught in Mandarin and the other half in English, typically by the upper elementary years. This gradual shift ensures students continue to develop proficiency in both languages while meeting academic expectations in each. Below is a chart of the immersion transition from grades TK-5: 

The Mandarin Immersion program will teach Simplified Chinese characters. This approach aligns with the broader goal of promoting bilingual proficiency and cultural literacy among its students. The focus on Simplified Chinese reflects its practical application in mainland China and aligns with Tustin Unified's efforts to create a comprehensive, modern, and globally relevant immersion experience for students​. 

Additionally, Pinyin will be incorporated into the curriculum. This will help students master pronunciation and develop foundational literacy skills in Mandarin. It is typically introduced alongside Chinese character learning to aid in correct pronunciation and reading development. This method is common in immersion programs as it helps bridge the gap between a student's native language (often English) and the target language (Mandarin), enhancing their overall language acquisition experience.

The Mandarin Immersion Program will engage in the same amount of instructional minutes as the general education programs across TUSD. Currently the TK and K programs are full day programs. 

Yes, all interested students must apply for a transfer to attend the Chinese Immersion Program.  Once accepted, students will be able to enroll.  It’s a two-step process and completing a transfer request is the required first step for all interested students. Once approved, students will be able to enroll.