Temple City Unified School District

Dual language immersion is an educational model that integrates native English speakers and native speakers of a target language (Mandarin) in the same classroom for the entire school day. Students learn to speak, write and read at grade level in both languages with the goals of promoting high academic achievement, first and second language development, and cross-cultural understanding for all students.

In dual language immersion programs, language learning takes place primarily through content instruction. Academic subjects are taught to all students through both English and the target language (Mandarin). 

TCUSD’s MDLIP is based on the 50:50 model. Instruction focuses not only on mastery of content but also on the acquisition of language, including vocabulary and language structure and functions. This is known as Content Based Instruction (CBI). CBI is designed to integrate language and content, to address second language-learner needs and to encourage the transfer of skills, strategies, and knowledge across languages.

Simplified Chinese

The dual language immersion program is open to students who are native speakers of Mandarin and/or English. Students must be entering Kindergarten and born in the age range (born between 9/2/2020 - 9/1/2021).

The TCUSD goals of a dual language immersion program is for students to become bilingual, bi-literate, bi-cognitive, and culturally competent learners.

By providing students with a strong foundation in their first language, parents are helping to lay the groundwork for strong second language skills. Parents can support literacy skills as well as content knowledge in the child’s first language by reading together and learning about the topics the child is learning in school. For example, when students learn about community helpers in Mandarin, children who are already familiar with the topic in English will transfer the knowledge, making the lesson in Mandarin more comprehensible.

Parents can also support students at home by making sure that they have the right environment and tools to get homework done (e.g., a quiet space and enough time, paper, dictionaries in both languages, writing utensils, and art supplies such as construction paper, paste, tape, and colored makers).

The dual language immersion program is a multi-year commitment. For children to gain academic success and language proficiency, families must be willing and able to commit to this program. Parents must carefully consider if the program is a fit for their family.

Mandarin English Language Arts will be taught in the Mandarin class and English Language Arts will be taught in the English class. All other content/curriculum will be taught in both languages.

Yes, however program placement will be determined on student’s current IEP and IEP team recommendation.

Yes. Beginning Oct. 20, TCUSD families must complete a Dual Language Immersion application, which will be found on this website. Students will then go into a lottery, the students chosen will then enroll in the class.

Families may visit TCUSD’s Mandarin Dual Language Immersion Program for instructions on how to apply to the program.

Note: Submission of an interest survey does not confirm registration.

For the 2026-27 school year, the Mandarin Dual Language Immersion Program will be offered in Kindergarten and First Grade. The 2025-26 Kindergarten cohort will matriculate to Grade 1 in 2026-27, the 2026-2027 Kindergarten DLI students will matriculate to Grade 1 in 2027-2028 and so on. 

TCUSD's DLI, will be housed at Longden Elementary School. However, the DLI is open to all students districtwide. Students from both La Rosa and Emperor are able to apply to enroll. The District is steadfast in focusing its efforts on strengthening the newly implemented DLI to ensure program growth and sustainability.

Once we accepted the inter district students into the program, they are in the program. They will move with their cohort to the next grade level & onwards. Students will attend K-6th grade at Longden in the DLI program.

There will be 44 spots available. Each classroom will have 22 students.

If your child is not selected through the lottery process, they will be put on a waiting list and/or be assigned to an English only class at their home school.

The Mandarin Dual Language Immersion Program will have a similar bell schedule as other classes.

The dual language program is not and should not be viewed as a separate program. The school develops a common vision of equity for all students that values language and culture. The same California State standards-based curriculum is taught in the dual language immersion program that is taught in other school programs