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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Because Mandarin is, apart from being super hip, v. difficult to learn. The science indicates that knowledge of Chinese characters young sets the stage for learning tough math and science later on. What's more, it's impressive to be able to say (in a low voice, practically a whisper) "You know, it's amazing, my kindergartener has really taken off with his Mandarin at BASIS." Best of all, the prospect of Mandarin instruction will do a kick-ass job is deterring the names of undesirables who clearly can't handle Mandarin (or tough math or science) from going into the K hat. The YuYing lottery has proven this without a doubt over the years. It's a no brainer, BASIS can hardly go wrong with Mandarin for little kids, even they are likely to surrender their language edge as older kids, while languishing in the polyglot desert of 5th-7th grades at BASIS, and the purgatory of beginning language instruction only in 8th and 9th grades.[/quote]

Well, I have to admit that was amusing.

But here is what the school says:

[i]Mandarin: BASIS DC Primary students begin their second language education as early
as possible, which is developmentally the best time to begin. BASIS chose Mandarin in
part to take advantage of the cognitive benefits of introducing a language so different
in character, intonation, and pronunciation than English. An expert teacher in Mandarin
will create an interactive environment to cultivate students’ appreciation for the
language and culture. The Mandarin SET will introduce the language through songs,
holiday celebrations, writing and reading characters, and learning the different
pronunciations in the language. This early introduction will also provide a foundational
familiarity with Mandarin that will be useful to students choosing it as their foreign
language option in middle and high school at BASIS DC....

The Mandarin, grades 1-3 only, course continues to introduce students to a language
other than English. Students develop listening, reading, writing, and speaking skills. Our
Mandarin courses involve the use of both Pinyin and Chinese characters. Students also
learn about life and culture in China, sing songs, and make art using their increasing
knowledge of Mandarin. BASIS students are introduced to Mandarin as a complement
to their studies in other disciplines. Given the emphasis on ordering, grouping, and
distinguishing between similarities and differences in character writing and intonation,
Mandarin causes students to stretch their mathematical and logical abilities.[/i]

Not sure what the point of teaching Mandarin is is you teach it to K to 3rd and then don’t offer it again until 8th grade.  
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