Mandarin Chinese teacher Jing Ren has dedicated her career to strengthening Chinese immersion programs in Sacramento, California. In her latest project, she worked with the Sacramento School District to expand its Chinese language reading program for its dual immersion language program.
“Reading skills are an important aspect of the Chinese language immersion program. Yet, it’s one of the most difficult skills for students. That’s why we decided to develop a school-wide reading program to help our students excel,” said Jing Ren.
Expanding Sacramento’s Chinese Language Reading Program
As part of the reading program, Jing Ren and her team purchased Chinese language books for each class library and e-readers for students to read at home. The program gives students access to level appropriate reading materials. As many of the students are non-heritage learners, the books were selected with that in mind and are easy for the students and their families to access on their mobile devices. Teachers encourage students and their families to read by celebrating their reading progress. Teachers are creative. They give students certificates with their reading progress, rewards, and classroom leaderboards.
The reading program has significantly improved the reading outcomes of the students in the immersion program and provided a way for parents to support their students throughout their reading journey. “As most of the students come from non-heritage backgrounds, the program has made a huge difference in their Chinese language skills,” said Jing Ren.
LingoAce was first introduced to Ms. Jing Ren through its classroom grants program, which awards grants to Chinese teachers for innovative classroom initiatives. After winning a grant, she used the funds to expand the reading program to elementary school students, as the program was originally implemented for secondary school students. Now, the reading program is enjoyed by students in the city’s Mandarin immersion pathway program- from elementary to secondary school students.
Leadership in Chinese Language Immersion School
Jing Ren is now a school leader at Jie Ping Academy, a new Chinese immersion elementary school in Sacramento that open soon. As a seasoned Mandarin teacher, Jing Ren will lead the school’s curriculum development, as well as engage with the local community to ensure that Jie Ping Academy meets their needs. The school will start with grades pK-K.
“Advocating for Chinese language programs, particularly immersion ones, is important. Mandarin Chinese classrooms teachers must be a part of that advocacy. Whether you have a formal leadership role or not, actively participating in committees, school board meetings, and in your local community helps the field overall,” said Jing Ren.
As Mandarin teachers transitioning into school leadership is still uncommon, Jing Ren’s new position at Jie Ping Academy is a testament to her dedication to the field. She is a fixture in the Chinese language teacher community in Sacramento and supports professional development for other Chinese language teachers in the area.
