Not at all. Many of our families speak no Mandarin — that is exactly why immersion works. Your child learns at school and often brings the language home to you.

Yes. Two home-cooked meals and two snacks are served every day, included in tuition. Even picky eaters tend to thrive.

We are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM — built for working-parent schedules.

Manhattan Beach is $450/week and Westchester is $425/week, including meals, snacks, and full-day Mandarin immersion. Call (562) 704-6154 for current availability.

Call (562) 704-6154 or use the Schedule a Tour button — we would love to show you the classrooms and introduce you to our teachers.

Immersion students acquire the language skills to understand and communicate about the same subject matter set out in the Common Core and Essential Standards for each grade level. They follow the same curricula, and in some cases use the same materials (translated into the target language) as non-immersion schools.

Language immersion schools have four immersion-related goals: (a) to achieve competency in the second language; (b) to acquire the same English language arts skills as students in English-only schools; (c) to gain a greater understanding and appreciation of other cultures; and (d) to master content areas.

Over the past 30 years, research has shifted away from teaching language in isolation and toward integrating language and content. Language is acquired most effectively in a meaningful social context, and interesting content gives young children a real reason to use the new language — so second-language learning becomes part of their everyday social and cognitive development.

Immersion is the fastest-growing and most effective type of foreign-language program in U.S. schools, and immersion students typically reach higher proficiency than students in other school-based language programs. Children are language sponges, and early immersion is the best way to ensure future fluency — while also boosting native-language vocabulary and overall cognitive development.

Employers consistently cite clear communication and cross-cultural ability as top qualities they look for. In an interconnected world, giving a child fluency in a second language and comfort with another culture is a lasting advantage in nearly any field.

Many parents worry immersion may slow English development. Research consistently shows the opposite — the immersion experience actually enhances English language development over time.

Immersion students far outperform peers in traditional foreign-language classes and become functionally proficient in the immersion language. After an early, temporary lag, their English reading and writing catch up to or surpass English-only peers, their math and content achievement is at least equal, and they show greater cultural awareness.

In the early stages, teachers use exaggerated hand gestures and facial expressions, plus songs, stories, and activities, to make meaning clear. Remember that most of the other children are in the same position, and instruction is carefully structured to stay comprehensible.

Stay involved just as any parent would: read with your child daily in English, connect classroom learning to everyday activities, and communicate regularly with the teachers. Becoming informed about immersion and committing to keep your child in the program makes a real difference.

Early on, children are often tired and a little frustrated — this is normal and usually passes within two weeks to two months. English reading may start slightly slower (parent encouragement at home helps), homework questions are welcome anytime via a teacher conference, and well-meaning friends or relatives may be skeptical until they see how well your child keeps up.

It is easier to learn a second language young. For the greatest benefit, children should ideally begin in preschool and continue as long as possible.

According to the Center for Applied Linguistics, there are 242 schools across 28 states offering total, partial, or two-way immersion in 11 languages. Mandarin Tree Academy’s proven curriculum is one of them.

We are a close community of preschool students, families, and native-speaking teachers exploring learning in a truly academic, multilingual environment. A second language enhances cognitive development and problem-solving, and sets your child apart when applying to private schools and universities.

Our Mandarin teachers are native speakers from China, hand-selected for their experience, proper accent, and loving personalities. They meet the high professional standards of their home country plus all California early-education teacher licensing requirements.

Our doors open at 8:00 a.m. and close at 6:00 p.m. See our Daily Schedule for more detail.

Click the Contact button above or call (562) 704-6154 — we are happy to chat, share more about our school, and even introduce you to current parents so they can share their experience.