Dual Language Class: Literacy Skills in English and Chinese

Background:
The subject of this investigation is a first-grade student who is in room 118 of Henry Longfellow—Public School 94 (PS94)—located in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. The author has had the opportunity of observing this student throughout an entire academic semester. Room 118 is a dual language class, with literacy skills developed in both English and Chinese. Students receive instruction in these languages on an alternating weekly basis, with one week of exclusively English instruction followed by one of Chinese. This system aids in the development of literacy in both languages.
My target student’s name is Nina Lin. Currently aged six, Nina is due to turn seven in March and has been attending PS94 since she was five. She is Asian, identifies as Chinese, and speaks English, Chinese Mandarin, and a little Fuzhounese— a local dialect in China. Although born in the United States, Nina was sent to China by her family when she was still very young. There she attended a day care center, later returning to the United States for kindergarten. At home, she speaks Mandarin. She lives in the Sunset Park neighborhood with her mother and younger brother, who is four years old and currently attends a daycare center. Her father works outside New York State as a chef, and is rarely at home. Nina and her brother are dropped off at school each day by her mother, who then attends language school where she is learning English. The remainder of her day is spent on domestic responsibilities. Both parents speak Mandarin and Fuzhounese. When conversing with each other, they speak Fuzhounese, but to Nina they usually speak Mandarin although occasionally, Nina’s mother communicates with her in English.
Nina enjoys playing magnet tiles and toy cars with her younger brother at home. She is a great role model for him, according to her mother, constantly taking care of him, helping him with his homework, and assisting him in tidying up the toys. Nina loves all the colors of the rainbow. She enjoys eating steamed buns. YUM!!!!!!Nina also likes dancing, attending dancing class every Saturday from 11:00am to 1:00pm. On school days, she also attends an after-school program at the Chinese-American Planning Council (CPC) where she does her homework and engages in crafts, producing numerous craft items. Nina would like to be a doctor when she grows up, as she enjoys taking care of people.
Nina’s teachers think highly of her, considering her to be a very hardworking student. She is attentive in class, and seeks assistance when she encounters problems by raising her hand to ask a question. Nina also has good relationships with her classmates, going out of her way to help her friends. She is always the first to help her tablemates when they experience difficulties. A highly organized girl, Nina is capable of careful planning, maintaining a tidy environment and working effectively.
Four Domains of English Language:
* Listening and Speaking
T-Teacher C-Classmate N-Nina
T:

Alright, everyone, today we are going to some blend words. We are going to focus on “st-, sw-, and sp-”.


(Teacher is teaching the lesson about blend word.)


(After lesson)

T:

Can anyb...