PHOENIX -- An Arizona State University graduate student and teacher hoping to prepare his young son for the future has started a new school in Phoenix.
Sean Diana came up with the idea for the Spanish and Mandarin immersion school, Beidei Amigos Language Preschool, when his son, now 2-years old, was born.
"My vision was, what do I need to provide my kid so that he's going to be able to compete when he gets older, and what is the global citizen going to look like," said Diana.
He found partners in the parents of one of his students, a Taiwanese woman married to a Spanish man.
Diana says most of the preschool students from his previous school followed him to the new dual language school in North Phoenix.
"Research has shown that cognitively, they're more open to new ideas," said Diana. "They are able to see the world through other people's shoes because they become more bi-cultural. Languages are always connected to culture."
The school frequently holds cultural events and celebrations, such as Cinco de Mayo and Chinese New Year.
Diana says immersion programs also foster teamwork and cooperation, and help young brains develop new ideas.
Diana says it is important for children to start learning languages early.
The preschool currently has about 20 students. Some were adopted from China, or have parents from different countries who are looking to preserve their culture.
Others come from monolingual families. Some of his students take morning classes in Spanish and afternoon classes in Mandarin.
Next year, parents and kindergarteners will also be able to take classes, and those lessons will be dual-immersion.
Tuition at Beidei Amigos Language Preschool is $169 per week. It is located at 751 E. Union Hills Drive in Phoenix. For more information, call 602-996-4990.
