Northern High School
Northern High School Chinese Immersion students allows students to dual enroll through partnership with Western Michigan University and earn up to 28 college credits.
Northern High School
FHPS Mandarin Chinese Immersion Program
Northern High School Chinese Immersion students are able earn up to 28 college credits through a dual enrollment partnership with Western Michigan University.
HS Chinese Immersion Classes
Year One: 9th Grade
CHIN 1010 & CHIN 2800
Basic Chinese (4 credits) &
Chinese Calligraphy (3 cr)
Year Two: 10th Grade
CHIN 2000 & CHIN 2100
Intermediate Chinese I (4 cr) &
Business Chinese (3 cr)
Year Three: 11th Grade
CHIN 2010 & CHIN 2750
Intermediate Chinese II (4 cr) &
Chinese Life and Culture (3 cr)
Year Four: 12th Grade
CHIN 3160 & CHIN 3170 Chinese Compositions (3 cr) & Chinese Conversation (4 cr)
*CHIN 1000 - Basic Chinese I
Chinese I (Level 1000) class on transcript — this is a class that high school students are able to skip because of their proficiency level coming into high school. This class gives the students an additional 4 credits that is added to the 28 credits already earned through the WMU/FHN dual enrollment program. $100 fee to take the proficiency test.
Forest Hills Northern High School
Assistant Principal: Steve Harvey
Professor Xiang, Professor Ward,and Professor Zha
Chinese Club
Advisor: Professor Xiang
Chinese Club meets monthly after school (2nd Monday). All students are welcome. Students come to relax by playing Chinese card games, Taichi, dancing Chinese Square Dance, jumping rope, kicking the shuttlecock, etc.
Michigan Seal of Biliteracy
The Seal of Biliteracy is an award given to graduating seniors by the Michigan Department of Education in recognition of attaining Mandarin Language proficiency requirements.
In the Spring semester, 11th/12th graders receive information about applying for the Seal of Biliteracy from FHPS. FHPS uses the student’s STAMP Avant Assessment Test score to demonstrate the student’s ACTFL rating. Chinese Immersion students must rate as Intermediate High on the ACTFL scale in ALL 4 areas to qualify for the Seal of Biliteracy [Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking]. FHPS assists students who qualify to apply for the Seal of Biliteracy.
NOTE: Throughout the FHPS Mandarin Immersion Program, the STAMP test is administered in all even number grades by FHPS. Therefore, if an 11th grader wants to receive the Seal of Biliteracy to use for college applications Senior Year, they will have to request to take the STAMP Spring of 11th grade – since this is out of the normal cycle for FHPS, the test is not subsidized by the district, so the student is responsible for the $20 cost of the test.
Arrangements can be made individually to retake individual portions of the test.
Seal of Biliteracy Recipients
| YEAR | TOTAL | SEAL | PERCENT |
| 2024 as Juniors | 23 | 6 | 26.09% |
| 2023 | 24 | 7 | 29.17% |
| 2022 | 15 | 2 | 13.33% |
| 2021 | 23 | 7 | 30.43% |
CHI-PAC Spirit of Chinese Scholarship
Since 2020, CHI-PAC “Spirit of Chinese Scholarship” is awarded annually to a student who communicates how learning Mandarin Chinese through the FHPS Mandarin Chinese Immersion Program has enriched his or her life or how they see having the language benefit them in the future.
Applicants must be classified as a FHN senior by the application deadline, August 31. Students are asked to communicate in both Mandarin Chinese and English on their written application & during their speech presentation. A $500 cash award will be given to the Scholarship recipient.
2020 Winner
Catherine Hwang
WMU Speech Competition
Advisor: Professor Xiang
Chinese Speech Contest held annually in March at Western Michigan University provides a stage for Chinese language learners to demonstrate their achievements in learning Chinese and communicate with each other. There are three categories: Speech Contest, Chinese Knowledge Competition and Talent Show. Each contestant can participate in any category or all three categories. Students who excel in preliminary round will advance to the final round.
- Students who are in 9th and 10th grade at the Kalamazoo Chinese Academy, Forest Hill Northern High School, Greenville High School and Holland Christian High School will be assigned to high school level 3.
- Students who are in 11th and 12th grade at Forest Hill Northern High School will be assigned to high school level 4.
National Chinese Speech Contest, NCSC
Advisor: Professor Xiang
The American Academy of International Culture and Education (AAICE) in collaboration with the Chinese Language Teachers Association (CLTA-USA) holds annual National Chinese Speech Contest online. All U.S. grades 3-12, and college-level Chinese language learners are invited to participate in the contest. Prizes are awarded to both the winners and their teachers.
Contest video applications are typically due January-February with contest semi-finals held in March, and finals in April.
The goal of the contest is to motivate students in learning Chinese by sharing their individual experiences and To provide a platform for Chinese language learners to showcase their learning through oratory expression.
Senior Celebration
Each year, we celebrate our graduating Seniors with a celebration ceremony organized by junior parents
This tradition began with our inaugural senior class of 2021. Typically, a junior parent oversees festivities.
Class of 2023
Class of 2022
Class of 2021
HS Chinese Class Descriptions
Classes are taught on campus at Forest Hills Northern High School by WMU Professors.
Year 1: 9th Grade
- CHIN 1010 - Basic Chinese II Continuation of CHIN 1000: Fundamentals of Chinese. Background and practice in listening comprehension, speaking, reading and writing.
- CHIN 2800 Chinese Calligraphy: Introduction to the history of Chinese calligraphy and a theoretical framework for recognition of the aesthetic qualities of the brushwork. A series of practice sessions will be held to facilitate a hands-on learning process for the lay person on major scripts. Taught in English, with translation for Chinese characters, can count toward minor in Chinese. This course satisfies WMU Essential Studies Level 2: Exploration and Discovery – Artistic Theory and Practice Category.
Year 2: 10th Grade
- CHIN 2000 - Intermediate Chinese I: The development of spoken and written expression in Chinese. Review of fundamental grammar and skills.
- CHIN 2100 - Business Chinese: This course is designed to introduce students to various aspects of Chinese business culture and to provide basic business Chinese training. By linking the relationship between business culture and business language, this course will equip students with basic language skills and knowledge to do business in Chinese speaking countries and areas or with Chinese companies. Topics such as the following will be studied: the first business meeting; business negotiation; business connection; signing a contract; shipping and handling; and foreign trade corporations. We will emphasize communicative activities, and combine the language training with the introduction of Chinese business culture. Although students have different language background, all students are required to make a good faith effort to speak the target language at every relevant opportunity. It is our goal to use as much Chinese as possible while participating in this program. By the end of the course, students should be able to actively participate in basic business conversations.
Year 3: 11th Grade
- CHIN 2010 - Intermediate Chinese II: The continued development of spoken and written expression in Chinese. Readings and discussions of civilization and culture materials.
- CHIN 2750 - Chinese Life And Culture: This course is an introduction to Chinese society, culture, and history. The course is designed to increase students' foundational knowledge of the social sciences, humanities, and the arts of China, with the ability to apply key concepts beyond the course content (in other words, beyond the context of East Asia). This class will examine high points of Chinese culture and history while critically analyzing its cultural production (writing, art, film, etc.). Meanwhile, the class will repeatedly return to key themes that apply also outside the Chinese context. These may include factors that accelerate or slow down cultural development, the ways that cultures hybridize and change as the result of intercultural exchange, the ways that events on the world stage shape the life and culture of people at the individual level, and the ways that cultures and nations react during times of crisis. This course satisfies WMU Essential Studies Level 2: Exploration and Discovery – Societies and Cultures Category.
Year 4: 12th Grade
- CHIN 3160 - Chinese Composition: Advanced study of composition in Chinese. Emphasis is upon increasing the student's command of written Chinese. Chinese characters competency and basic skills of using Chinese word processors are reinforced
- CHIN 3170 - Chinese Conversation: Advanced study of conversation in Chinese. Students practice spoken Chinese through role-playing, the viewing of films, discussion, and other oral activities. Emphasis on both listening and speaking of the language.
HS Frequently Asked Questions
*These notes are being provided by a parent and are intended to be used as guidance only and not as a replacement for the information provided by the district. Please make your own independent inquiries regarding colleges/universities you are interested in attending.
Admissions counselors look to see how students set themselves apart from other candidates.
- Don’t rely on your WMU transcript, MI Seal of Biliteracy, Chinese Immersion endorsement, or the Program Profile to catch the eye of admissions counselors.
- Definitely write about Chinese Immersion in your essays and talk about your experiences if you’re interviewed – make it personal & memorable. For 12 years of your childhood you’ve been immersed in Chinese language & culture – what memory was most meaningful or impactful to you?
- In addition, take every opportunity to enter Chinese contests, competitions, and apply for Chinese language or cultural experiences. What opportunities in the community or business context can you use your Chinese skills?
- Keep careful records of your scores for AvantSTAMP and/or HSK. As well as any awards, publications, or honors you may have received. Also, make sure to keep any written, video, art Chinese projects that you are especially proud of, so you can demonstrate your best work.
Though the AP Exam credit is widely recognized by colleges, it does not always transfer to every college. Moreover, since our students are earning actual college credits through WMU, the Chinese AP Exam credit would be redundant & unnecessary.
NOTE: It is not required to take an AP course, in order to take the AP Exam. However it is recommended that you take the AP course, because the courses are designed to prepare you to pass the exam. See https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/faqs/can-i-take-ap-exam-if-i-havent-taken-ap-course
Please see below for Avant STAMP test and ACTFL Ratings info.
Avant STAMP test: https://avantassessment.com/stamp
The Avant STAMP Test measures Chinese proficiency in Reading, Writing, Listening, & Speaking. For the Mandarin Immersion Program, FHPS administers the STAMP Test to only even number grades, in order to track students’ progress, inform parents, assist improvement of curriculum & instruction, and evaluate the effectiveness of the program overall. The STAMP correlates to the ACTFL standards.
Frequently Asked Questions https://avantassessment.com/stamp4s/frequently-asked-questions
https://www.actfl.org/resources/actfl-proficiency-guidelines-2012
ACTFL ratings are designed for use in academic, government, and business settings.
- Examples of “How to List Language Skills on a Resume or CV” when applying for a job or graduate school program
https://blog.kickresume.com/2020/11/20/language-skills-on-resume/
- Examples of “ACTFL Ratings and their Prospective Careers”
- “The current ACTFL assessments and rating guidelines are the products of more than fifty years of research, development and application within the U.S. government and academia. The validity and reliability of ACTFL assessments and the ACTFL rating scales are supported by published research studies presented annually at professional conferences worldwide.
ACTFL assessments and ratings are recognized by the members of the federal Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR) and recommended for credit by the American Council on Education (ACE). Due to ACTFL’s strict adherence to test development guidelines, research and testing best practices, ACTFL ratings have emerged as a standard measure of language proficiency in the U.S.” – quote from LTI (Language Testing International) brochure, https://www.languagetesting.com
The HSK is a standardized proficiency test for non-native Chinese learners. It is administered by the Chinese government to measure language abilities in Listening, Reading, Writing, but not Speaking. Per Prof Xiang, the HSK is good for studying or working in China; also there are scholarships for no-cost study abroad opportunities through the Chinese government, if you pass the Level 2 or above. She recommends Level 3 ($40) for 9th/10th graders and Level 4 ($50) for 11th/12th graders. Passing the HSK Level 4 is the equivalent of a STAMP score of 6 (ACTFL Intermediate High). Contact Prof Xiang for registration information through WMU and refer to https://wmich.edu/asia/hsk
https://www.michigan.gov/documents/mde/Seal_of_Biliteracy_Trifold_Print_612096_7.pdf
Currently 36 states award a Seal of Biliteracy to graduating high school students. It is designed to highlight to colleges & employers a student’s high level of literacy in a language other than English. https://www.michigan.gov/mde/0,4615,7-140-81351-456570–,00.html
Since the MI Seal of Biliteracy was established in 2018, it is not as well known yet and is still gaining traction, however other states have adopted their own Seal of Biliteracy since 2011. Check to see if the college you are applying to is in a state that offers its own Seal of Biliteracy – https://sealofbiliteracy.org/
NOTE: A few colleges offer credit for the Seal of Biliteracy, make sure to ask your college about it, especially if your college is in a state that offers its own Seal of Biliteracy.
It is additional evidence of your 13 year language learning journey through the FHPS Mandarin Chinese Immersion Program.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/cbqo1815s61je58/Chinese%20Immersion%20Student%20Profile.pdf?dl=0
The Program Profile provides an overview of the Chinese Immersion student experience, the history of the program, the quality of language instruction, the stages of the program (including the WMU/FHN dual enrollment program), achievement of the MI Seal of Biliteracy, as well as the language proficiency of program graduates, according to ACTFL standards.
Use it to validate the quality and longevity of your 13 year language learning journey, along with your MI Seal of Biliteracy, ACTFL ratings, HSK score, and the Endorsement on your FHN Transcript. You could include it with any written or in-person inquiries to your college’s “Chinese Department” for credit.
It is recommended that the Chinese Immersion profile be used when applying to colleges. Currently, there is not a place to upload the profile in the Common Application, so students should mention it in their application materials. There is a school profile that accompanies student applications, and it does mention the Chinese Immersion program but in the context of the entire school.
At this time WMU does not offer a Chinese major. Fortunately, WMU has recently submitted an application to enable them to offer a Chinese major. Hopefully in the near future our students who attend WMU will be able to extend their Chinese minor to a Chinese major.
For a “guesstimate” of what may be required for a Chinese major from WMU, you can refer to the requirements for a Japanese major http://catalog.wmich.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=28&poid=8243&returnto=1178