Teacher Action Research on Developing a Chinese-English Dual-Language Curriculum for Head Start Children

• In Event: Action Research Inquiry for Teachers and Educational Leaders

Abstract

This action research describes two Head Start teachers’ journey of developing and implementing a Chinese -English dual language curriculum in their classroom, where the majority of children are Chinese descendants and immigrants in San Francisco. Even though the head start center serves more than 85% of Chinese new immigrants, teachers were forced to do “translation and adaption” of a Spanish-English bilingual curriculum into this Chinese cultural and language context. As they faced difficulties to adapt the Spanish bilingual curriculum, they decided to develop an authentic Chinese-English dual language curriculum. This study deals with the process of empowering young children to develop a positive self-identity as well as the importance of engaging families in dual language teaching and learning.

Authors

• Mina Kim, San Francisco State University

• Nesanna Lee, Kai Ming Head Start

• Regina Wong, Kai Ming Head Start