The dual language immersion program at Vang Pao , established in 2017 , follows a 50:50 English / Hmong model , with students learning to read and write in both Hmong and English beginning in preschool . Hmong literacy instruction is heavily embedded in science , social studies and English language arts .

Brenda and most students in Vang Pao ’ s dual language immersion program are Hmong Americans born in the U . S . who have lost their native language and speak primarily English . These are students whose parents or grandparents immigrated to the United States under refugee status as a result of their involvement and contributions to the Vietnam War as American allies in the Secret War in Laos from 1960-1975 .

Brenda Xiong can communicate better with her grandfather , Va Seng Xiong , and grandmother , Der Her Xiong , since improving her Hmong skills in her Hmong dual language immersion class at Vang Pao Elementary School .

But now she can talk with them in Hmong about all kinds of topics , and she ’ s developed a special bond with her mother ’ s father , who is blind .

Her Hmong skills have blossomed because she is in the dual language immersion program at Vang Pao Elementary School . She is learning to speak , read , and write in the language of her heritage .

“ I ’ m not shy anymore to talk to my [ grandparents ]. I am brave ,” Brenda said .

Her mom , Chee Vang , said it ’ s been wonderful to watch Brenda getting to know her older relatives .

“ Before the program , she couldn ' t communicate with them on everyday topics . Now she can talk to them about her day at school , how and what they ' re doing that day , and just answer their simple questions ,” said Vang , who teaches transitional kindergarten in the dual language immersion program at Vang Pao .

“ She will have a deeper understanding and appreciation for her culture and language . We don ' t want her to lose her language , so she can pass it on to her children .”

14 FACES

Vang came to the United States in 1987 and her husband , Fresno Unified counselor Bee Xiong , in 1986 . Both were born in Laos .

But Brenda said she did not know much about how her family came to live in Fresno and that her grandparents had farmed in the mountains of Laos . That has changed .

“ We ’ re learning history and cultures and about mountains ,” Brenda said .

Brenda said she thinks knowing both English and Hmong could help with whatever career or job she decides on in the future . She also said she ’ ll be able to pass on the language and culture to her own kids someday .

Brenda spends a lot of time with relatives but is also a typical second grader who pours her imagination and creativity into her drawings , likes to make paper dolls and clothes , and create clothes for her Barbies .

Brenda ’ s teacher , Choua Lor , said parents have embraced the dual language immersion program .

“ They get emotional when they talk about the steps the program in FUSD is taking to revive and preserve the Hmong heritage ,” Lor said . “ Parents are happy to hear their children speak their language at home as well as communicating with the elders who do not speak English . They feel the Hmong culture and language finally is getting recognized in the district .”

The district offers a Hmong preschool-12 dual language immersion pathway with programs at Vang Pao , Balderas Elementary School , Sequoia Middle School and Roosevelt High School . The district also offers Spanish dual language immersion programs at 19 campuses .