4 Ways to Incorporate Social Emotional Learning in Chinese Immersion Classrooms

Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is crucial for fostering a supportive and empathetic classroom environment. Here are some tips for integrating SEL into your Mandarin Chinese dual language and immersion programs:

1. Use Bilingual SEL Posters:

Display bilingual posters in Chinese and English that highlight key SEL concepts like kindness, empathy, growth mindset, and cooperation. These visuals can serve as constant reminders for your young Chinese learners and help reinforce positive behavior.

2. Incorporate SEL into Daily Routines:

Start your day with a morning meeting where students can share their feelings and set positive intentions for the day. You can use feeling cards with pictures to help young Chinese learners identify their emotions and express themselves.

A calm-down corner is another MUST-HAVE in your Chinese immersion elementary classroom. The charts provide students with effective calm-down techniques and engaging mindfulness exercises. Students can visit the calm-down corner to manage their stress and calm themselves down through various activities.

3. Read Social Emotional Learning Stories:

Read Chinese stories and engage in role-playing activities to introduce and reinforce SEL concepts. Our Chinese Leveled Texts and Advanced Reading Passages offer a variety of stories that cover these important topics, such as manners, friendship, problem-solving, perseverance, etc. Students will develop academic as well as social emotional skills in Mandarin Chinese.

4. Use SEL Worksheets and Activities:

Use SEL worksheets and activities that encourage students to reflect on their emotions, set goals, and develop interpersonal skills. Your Chinese learners can discuss social situation scenarios, explore possible solutions, and consider others' perspectives. This picture shows some worksheets paired with the book When Sophie Gets Angry and a fun kindness activity - Bilingual Friendship Jar.

By integrating these bilingual SEL strategies into your Chinese programs, you can help students navigate their emotions, build positive relationships, and develop crucial self-regulation skills in their Chinese learning journey.

You can grab the Chinese Social Emotional Learning Bundle in simplified and traditional Chinese here!