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First, have rich and varied conversations in your home language. Many studies have found that cognitive and academic development in the first language has an extremely important and positive effect on second language schooling. It is through

conversations with mom, dad, grandparents, and other family members that children broaden their vocabulary base. Even if a child does not use the same vocabulary in their

own speech, parents are enhancing the listening vocabulary.  With a broad base of listening vocabulary, students can build a broad speaking vocabulary, followed by the reading and writing vocabularies. The limits of a child’s listening vocabulary will define their reading and writing progress.

There are many facets to education which are considered by parents and educators as they prepare for each school year. Philosophy of education, how the program of studies will be delivered, and curriculum are key considerations.  In addition to these essentials, there can be even more questions for parents and students as they lay the groundwork for a good beginning in their new school.  Parents are likely reading and rereading the registration packets, buying school uniforms, and looking for just the right school supplies. In addition to equipping their child

Preparing for The Inaugural Year of NCIC-Immersion SchoolNCIC

From The Director

March, 2016

with the right materials, parents typically wish to ensure that their child is academically prepared, especially if they will be learning a second language. How can parents smooth the way for a child entering a dual language education program such as ours at NCIC-Immersion? There are two simple and vital first steps.

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How does one have rich and varied conversations with a child?

Easily! Every experience is an opportunity. Talk about and

describe the vegetables and fruit seen in the grocery store. Share

opinions about life and objects encountered or observed together.

 “Wow, the construction of that building is progressing faster

than I thought. I wonder how they do it.” Or simply think aloud

when solving a problem, children are listening!

The second essential step is to read with your child daily. In fact, a

2015 study found links between shared reading with parents and

academic achievement.  Reading with a parent teaches children

basic concepts of print, how to approach different types of text as a

reader, the meanings of words, and most importantly builds an

interest in reading that carries into the classroom. Families should

have a nightly routine of reading stories together for 20 to 30

minutes. Moreover, children should witness their parents’ literacy

habits. Writing lists, reading news or entertainment articles,

sending emails, and displaying books in the house are all ways in

which parents can convey the importance of literacy skills to their

children.

Lori EvansGrade KG

Lori spent more than 20 years as an Elementary teacher in teaching Grades KG-5 in Oregon, United States and Doha, Qatar. She is the recipient of Jackson County School District's Outstanding Elementary Educator of the Year Award 2013 and was nominated for Jackson County School District's Most Inspirational Employee Award 2010. She is also the recipient of Chevy Malibu Teaching Excellence Award 2001.

She has a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Southern Oregon State College and the coach from Odyseey of the Mind, an after-school-activity game from the United States.

Message for the community

I’m thrilled to be moving to Shenzhen and embarking on a new adventure.  I’m eager to work with the students and families at NCIC to create a collaborative learning experience.

NCIC

“Sometimes the bravest and most important thing you can do is just show up.” －Brené Brown

Meet Our Team

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As parents anticipate their child’s growth at NCIC-Immersion

School they should not be concerned about the level of English

they bring with them. Rather, parents should support their child’s ability to learn by continued development of the first

language. Building a strong knowledge base through rich

conversations and regular literacy practices in the home is crucial

for parents to help pave the way for academic success.

1. Collier, Virginia P. "Acquiring a Second Language for School." Directions in language and education 1.4 (1995): n4.

2. Baker, Claire E, Lynne Vernon-Feagans, and Family Life Project Investigators. "Fathers' language input during shared book activities: Links to children's kindergarten achievement." Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology 36 (2015): 53-59.

ADMISSIONS OFFICE TEL : 0755-2602 8926

EMAIL : admissions@ncic-immersion.org

WEBSITE : www.ncic-immersion.org

Martha WellsGrade 1

Before coming to NCIC-Immersion School, Martha completed her teaching practice in seven elementary schools in Tennessee, United States. She received 11 times of scholarship during her 4 years’ studies, including Milligan College Academic Scholarship, Daughters of the American Revolution Scholarship, Greeneville Teacher Associate Scholarship, etc.

She holds a Bachelor of Child and Youth Development from Milligan College in Johnson City of Tennessee.

Message for the community

It hardly seems real that I have been given opportunity to come to such a unique, exciting city as Shenzhen to be a founding teacher for NCIC-Immersion School. I love cultures and languages, and I look forward to becoming a part of the Chinese community and meeting my future students!

"It may be that when we no longer know which way to go that

we have come to our real journey. The mind that is not baffled is not employed. The

impeded stream is the one that sings." - Wendell Berry

Meet Our Team

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The school is housed in a purpose-built complex designed to facilitate inquiry-based learning and to foster collaboration and community. The school’s design principle took as underlying premise to create learning environment that is student-centered, developmentally and age appropriate, safe, comfortable, accessible, flexible and equitable. Our facilities are thoughtfully laid-out to allow for collaboration, inquiry and community building.

Campus Preview

WHEN: Saturday May 28, 2016 2016 5

WHO: All registered students & parents

WHAT: Art, reading, writing and movement activities in English and Chinese.

Upcoming Events

Main Hall Airview

1st Fllor Classroom Main Hall

Classroom Interior

NCIC-IMMERSION Family DayNCIC

WHERE NCIC-Immersion CampusNCIC

WHY: Experience the difference of NCIC-Immersion teaching & learning methods.

More details to come in the next issue of Monkey Business. Monkey Business