More media attention for Washington Yu Ying -

[Anonymous]

A school's reputation must be earned, not simply declared and defended. If you follow this board, you'll see that Yu Ying is promoted and sold to parents at every turn as comparable to Mann, Key, Oyster, etc.. A more accurate and responsible representation is that it is a new option that appears to be promising.

I couldn't have said it better myself. I hope that Yu Ying is able to deliver on its promises, and I wish them all the success in the world. The endless marketing of themselves as comparable to other more well-established programs is a bit much for my tastes.

[Anonymous]

I agree completely with the last two posters.

[Anonymous]

I have been a vocal supporter of Yu Ying throughout forum. I am also a prospective parent of the school as well. To those of cynical sentiment, it may appear as heavy marketing by the school but it is not. We DC parents are so hungry for educational diversity and school choice it is a blessing to see a school like this emerge for all student in the District. Is it a well-established school?? No. All schools have a beginning. All school were new once upon a time. For those of you who don't place foreign language at the top of your educational must-haves, then ignore this thread and any other thread dealing with foreign language learning and language immersion education. This thread is not for you. Also, for those who are interested in the foreign language immersion model for your child and DON'T have an interest in Chinese, that means you too. The school has a lot to prove as it develops and matures as an established institution. Most of us Yu Ying supporters are in love with the concept and welcome an another language option besides Spanish and French. Since Washington DC is an international hub, it should expand its language options to more non-European languages option. Yu Ying is a pioneer school and a start in the right direction. Wish it well.........

[Anonymous]

PP, I completely agree with you. I do with Yu Ying well and think it's great that there's a Chinese language option for kids. We're in Arlington and DC attends one of the Spanish immersion schools -- it's a great opportunity. There's been talk of setting up a Chinese immersion school in Arlington as well and I hope it eventually comes to fruition. We need more opportunities for kids to study non-European languages. Ideally, all kids would graduate high school having studied at least 2 foreign languages (kids in some European countries learn up to 4...)

Good luck, Yu Ying!

[Anonymous]

My son is in the first grade at YuYing. He is a child with an affinity for languages and I am glad that he has this opportunity to become bilingual. As for how I help him with his homework? I use the internet. There are online translators to look up characters. Also, for a lot of his homework, there are answers sent home from his teachers. There will come a time when I am unable to help him and there will be a time when he and his sister will be able to communicate in a language that I don't understand.

In response to the comment about over marketing, part of being a new school is the need to promote it. A lot of people I have spoken with do not know that there is a Chinese Immersion program available to DC students.

[Anonymous]

Well, I'm a Yu Ying supporter and I'd agree that there are some worthwhile points raised here.

It is factually true that there are some families who have abandoned some of the most lauded public AND private DC schools to enroll their children at Yu Ying. To some they may seem visionary and to others they may seem thrill-seeking. The pay-off of this decision is probably years away, but given the ante, it is not difficult to understand why some of these families are excited by any and every possible interpretation of the proof of their wisdom.

One point about the "well-meaning" advice cautioners (some of whom border on "concern-trollers") is that if one is looking for a school for one's child THIS FALL, then waiting until Yu Ying has graduated some middle-schoolers eight years from now isn't exactly helpful "advice." As I'm sure some of you know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son is in the first grade at YuYing. He is a child with an affinity for languages and I am glad that he has this opportunity to become bilingual. As for how I help him with his homework? I use the internet. There are online translators to look up characters. Also, for a lot of his homework, there are answers sent home from his teachers. There will come a time when I am unable to help him and there will be a time when he and his sister will be able to communicate in a language that I don't understand.

In response to the comment about over marketing, part of being a new school is the need to promote it. A lot of people I have spoken with do not know that there is a Chinese Immersion program available to DC students.

Thank you!!! Practical, useful insight.