Leader in Immersion- Interview with Sharon Huang
For over two decades, Sharon Huang, the founder of HudsonWay Immersion School, has been a passionate advocate for bilingual education. Her vision has transformed HWIS into a leader in immersion learning, empowering students to excel academically while becoming global citizens. In this exclusive interview, Sharon shares the story behind HWIS, her inspiration for starting the school, and her thoughts on the future of bilingual education.

What inspired you to start HudsonWay Immersion School?
In my prior career as an international marketing director travelling through China, Spain, Mexico and Latin America, I saw firsthand the value of truly connecting to people through language and cultural understanding. I wished that my language skills in Mandarin and Spanish were stronger and vowed that if I had children I would find a way to help them become bilingual and biliterate. Later as an expectant mother I became convinced that the rise of China and growth of multiculturalism in the US, new research on the brain benefits of early language learning, and increased household spending on quality preschools, made the concept of an immersion preschool interesting. I decided to leave my full time job to start a preschool, full time. That became the launch of Bilingual Buds in February of 2005, about 16 months after the birth of our twin sons.

Can you share a bit about your journey in education and why you’re passionate about immersion programs?
During summers in college I taught English in Taiwan, but my college and graduate school training was as an engineer and as a consumer marketer. When considering starting this school I visited over 20 preschools nationwide, spoke with many founders and brought on experienced educators to help develop the model and begin hiring teachers.
I am passionate about this because I truly believe this is the best type of education for our children. I had the opportunity to see my own children benefit from having wonderful teachers who were able to impart their love of another language and culture, while exercising their brains to learn more flexibly and develop strong cognitive and analytical skills. Over the past 20 years I’ve seen students develop language skills to levels I wouldn’t have imagined possible. I’ve also seen significant growth in immersion schools of all types – public, charter, and independent schools in cities nationwide and in places you might not expect!

What is your vision for HWIS, and how has it evolved over the years?
My vision for HWIS is to be at the forefront of immersion education, preparing our students ages 2 through grade 8 with the global competence skills needed in an ever changing world. Over the past 20 years we have continually evolved from being a Mandarin preschool in one NJ location, to then offering our Spanish track, expanding to a second location in NYC, expanding to Grade 5, and now having some students extend through grade 8. We have continually researched and adapted new curriculum and teaching methods in all subject areas. We have added programs such as international trips, developed innovative summer sleepaway camp for older elementary students, and are now accepting international students and issuing student visas. We have also grown organizationally with new opportunities and roles for our staff of 80 employees and working with student teachers from local universities in the US and from China.

Can you share some standout moments or achievements that make you most proud?
There are so many moments that have made me and our community proud of our students. As a parent I remember being proud seeing my son’s essay on Thomas Edison written in Mandarin, and watching them perform at the annual Lunar New Year show singing in Mandarin and embodying Chinese culture through dance moves. I am proud to see so many middle schoolers score 4’s and 5’s on the Mandarin and Spanish AP tests. I am proud when I hear anecdotes of how our students’ language skills have helped them connect with strangers at the store or in the park. I am proud to hear that our graduates were well prepared after transitioning to top tier ongoing schools.

What sets HWIS apart from other immersion programs?
HWIS is one of the only full immersion programs in the NY/NJ area that begins from age 2 and continues through middle school. We are an academically rigorous program that supports and differentiates instruction for our students. We are an intimate family oriented community where administration, teacher and parents work together for the best outcome for our students.

What trends do you see shaping the future of dual-language learning?
Trends I see shaping dual language learning include the use of technology such as virtual reality or AI making learning even more exciting and/or impactful. I also see the emergence of global competence skills moving from a focus on language to a broader set of skills including cultural and global understanding of issues, and the ability to take initiative on a local level.

What are your hopes for HWIS in the next 5–10 years?
I hope to continue to make HWIS an ideal place for students and teachers to learn together. I hope to continue to build relationships with schools around the world, provide more opportunities for students to connect to local and international organizations, and to have students experience learning in a way that is life-changing.

What advice would you give to families considering an immersion program for their children?
My advice is to learn as much as you can about how the schools achieve their goals for students, and get started as soon as possible! The critical window for language learning closes around age 13 though it’s never too late to start learning in a second language!

As Sharon Huang’s journey continues to shape the future of bilingual education, her dedication to creating a global learning environment for students remains unwavering. At HudsonWay Immersion School, every child is encouraged to not only learn a second language but also to embrace diverse cultures, preparing them for a world that is ever more interconnected. Whether through innovative teaching methods, exciting new opportunities, or a strong sense of community, HWIS is redefining what it means to be a global citizen. For parents seeking to give their children a truly transformative education, HWIS offers a unique opportunity—where language, culture, and global connections come together to shape the leaders of tomorrow.