Bicultural Learning & Worldview

As a bicultural school, we go beyond just teaching the language.

We also teach and live both American and Chinese values and practices.

LANGUAGE

“To learn a language is to have one more window from which to look at the world.”

English class:

- Phonics instruction and reading aloud

- Vocabulary learning

- Comprehension and discussion

- Grammar and sentence diagraming

- Public speaking and presentation

- Writing (including cursive)

Mandarin immersion class:

- Listening and speaking aloud

- Pinyin assisted reading

- Simplified character learning

- Writing with correct stroke sequence

- Translation between Chinese and English

K-2nd graders experience greater language immersion with Math and Science classes also taught in Mandarin. Older students learn Chinese whenever they join BHA and benefit from the cognitive and cultural growth that comes with it.

VALUES

“Treat others the way that you want to be treated.”

American values:

- Individualism: personal freedom, independence, and self-expression

- Innovation and future orientation

- Directness and clear communication to accomplish goals

Chinese values:

- Collectivism: needs of the group (family, community, nation) come before individual desires

- Tradition and respect for ancestral wisdom

- Politeness and vague communication to give face and preserve harmony

We teach students the differences, instill in them an appreciation for both sets of values, and encourage them to find the balance within themselves.

PRACTICES

“What is learned in youth becomes like second nature; habits become as natural as instinct.”

American practices:

- Pledge of Allegiance

- Weekly city field trips

- Monthly farm visits

- American holiday celebrations

- Western folktales

- Hot Western lunches

Chinese practices:

- Morning exercises

- Daily and weekly chores

- Chinese idioms and folktales

- Traditional Chinese holiday celebrations

- Poetry recitation and calligraphy

- Hot Asian lunches

We teach students that culture is something living, layered, rich, and worth understanding, whether it's their heritage or something entirely new.

We help children see the world through multiple lenses, so they can move through it with confidence, empathy, and curiosity.

Chinese Culture Class

"Treat others the way you want to be treated."

"The journey of a 1,000 miles starts with one step."

"Act with kindness but do not expect gratitude."

"Respect yourself, and others will respect you."

These are quotes from Confucius, the Chinese philosopher whose teachings have been translated into English for the world to appreciate and learn. Confucianism is the cornerstone of traditional Chinese culture, along with Daoism and Buddhism.

As a bicultural school, we believe teaching Chinese culture is just as if not more important than teaching the Chinese language. While language is a skill that can be quickly forgotten if not used, cultural values and practices can shape and stay with a person for life.

That's why our students:

Study Chinese history and philosophies (Confucianism, Daoism & Buddhism) in English
Celebrate traditional Chinese holidays with accompanying ceremonies and foods in English and Chinese
Read Chinese classical books (Three Kingdoms, Journey to the West, etc.) in English
Study Chinese traditional approach to health & wellness (meditation, herbs, Traditional Chinese Medicine, etc.) in English
Make Chinese classical art (calligraphy, water color, etc.) in Chinese
Learn Chinese martial arts (kungfu, wushu, qigong, taichi, etc.) in English and Chinese
Compare and contrast Chinese & American traditional and contemporary cultures in English
Study Chinese & Asian American history in English

Annual China Trip

Our 7th and 8th graders make an annual 3-week trip to China to practice Chinese language and see the traditional and contemporary Chinese society. We partner with a school in China's Yunnan province and jointly study a cultural destination. Students from both sides research separately, then travel to the project destination to experience first hand what they've learned, then return to jointly reflect on and summarize their learnings.

Read more about Bicultural Education in our blog posts below