TJ language

[Anonymous]

DC is contemplating between taking Spanish 2 and German 1 at TJ. They heard that Spanish was quite difficult, but they took spanish 1 last year. Is it better to take Spanish 2 or German 1 at TJ if dc doesn't like learning languages very much?

[Anonymous]

My son was advised to not take Spanish since it is extremely hard at TJ. He took German and LOVES it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son was advised to not take Spanish since it is extremely hard at TJ. He took German and LOVES it.

In the other TJ thread about rank falling to 14, someone wrote “Bonitatibus has ruined the foreign languages department since she started at TJ.” Anyone know what this means?

And why would Spanish be harder at TJ than other languages? Is it the teacher or it is taught at faster speed?

[Anonymous]

DC takes German. We have heard from everyone that Spanish at TJ is wildly hard. I would not recommend it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC takes German. We have heard from everyone that Spanish at TJ is wildly hard. I would not recommend it.

^takes it at TJ I mean. Classmates complain about Spanish.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son was advised to not take Spanish since it is extremely hard at TJ. He took German and LOVES it.

In the other TJ thread about rank falling to 14, someone wrote “Bonitatibus has ruined the foreign languages department since she started at TJ.” Anyone know what this means?

And why would Spanish be harder at TJ than other languages? Is it the teacher or it is taught at faster speed?

TJ Spanish curriculum condenses 4 years of FCPS Spanish or 5 years of LCPS Spanish into just 3 years at TJ. So the student is ready to take AP Spanish, right after TJ Spanish 3, without needing an additional year.

Moreover, TJ empasizes on getting to working proficiency of Spanish, meaning student must develop fluent speaking skill. It is relatively easy to develop reading/writing and listening skill in a language, but developing speaking skill is relatively more difficult. TJ Spanish requires developing speaking skill.

Furthermore, TJ places emphasis on attaining a working proficiency level in Spanish, which requires students to develop fluent speaking skills. While it is relatively easier to develop reading, writing, and listening skills in a language, developing speaking skills is comparatively more challenging. TJ Spanish focuses on the development of speaking skills.

This is not specific to TJ Spanish. In the United States, Spanish is widely regarded as a second language, spoken by over 40 million people. Therefore, there are higher expectations for teachers to impart sufficient depth in teaching it, and for students to learn it effectively for future use in the workplace.

On the other hand, German is more commonly perceived as an academic language, with fewer speakers in the US, and is primarily useful when traveling to German-speaking countries. As a result, teachers tend to adjust the course rigor accordingly.

[Anonymous]

Keep in mind.. when taking German, he will need to take German 1,2,3 whereas Spanish will be only 2,3

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son was advised to not take Spanish since it is extremely hard at TJ. He took German and LOVES it.

In the other TJ thread about rank falling to 14, someone wrote “Bonitatibus has ruined the foreign languages department since she started at TJ.” Anyone know what this means?

And why would Spanish be harder at TJ than other languages? Is it the teacher or it is taught at faster speed?

TJ Spanish curriculum condenses 4 years of FCPS Spanish or 5 years of LCPS Spanish into just 3 years at TJ. So the student is ready to take AP Spanish, right after TJ Spanish 3, without needing an additional year.

Moreover, TJ empasizes on getting to working proficiency of Spanish, meaning student must develop fluent speaking skill. It is relatively easy to develop reading/writing and listening skill in a language, but developing speaking skill is relatively more difficult. TJ Spanish requires developing speaking skill.

Furthermore, TJ places emphasis on attaining a working proficiency level in Spanish, which requires students to develop fluent speaking skills. While it is relatively easier to develop reading, writing, and listening skills in a language, developing speaking skills is comparatively more challenging. TJ Spanish focuses on the development of speaking skills.

This is not specific to TJ Spanish. In the United States, Spanish is widely regarded as a second language, spoken by over 40 million people. Therefore, there are higher expectations for teachers to impart sufficient depth in teaching it, and for students to learn it effectively for future use in the workplace.

On the other hand, German is more commonly perceived as an academic language, with fewer speakers in the US, and is primarily useful when traveling to German-speaking countries. As a result, teachers tend to adjust the course rigor accordingly.

I think this is the case for all the world languages at TJ. It was how high school foreign language was set up when I was in school, too. Although a lot of schools now require 4 years of a world language before AP, and FCPS has just changed to this, I believe, this year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son was advised to not take Spanish since it is extremely hard at TJ. He took German and LOVES it.

In the other TJ thread about rank falling to 14, someone wrote “Bonitatibus has ruined the foreign languages department since she started at TJ.” Anyone know what this means?

And why would Spanish be harder at TJ than other languages? Is it the teacher or it is taught at faster speed?

TJ Spanish curriculum condenses 4 years of FCPS Spanish or 5 years of LCPS Spanish into just 3 years at TJ. So the student is ready to take AP Spanish, right after TJ Spanish 3, without needing an additional year.

Moreover, TJ empasizes on getting to working proficiency of Spanish, meaning student must develop fluent speaking skill. It is relatively easy to develop reading/writing and listening skill in a language, but developing speaking skill is relatively more difficult. TJ Spanish requires developing speaking skill.

Furthermore, TJ places emphasis on attaining a working proficiency level in Spanish, which requires students to develop fluent speaking skills. While it is relatively easier to develop reading, writing, and listening skills in a language, developing speaking skills is comparatively more challenging. TJ Spanish focuses on the development of speaking skills.

This is not specific to TJ Spanish. In the United States, Spanish is widely regarded as a second language, spoken by over 40 million people. Therefore, there are higher expectations for teachers to impart sufficient depth in teaching it, and for students to learn it effectively for future use in the workplace.

On the other hand, German is more commonly perceived as an academic language, with fewer speakers in the US, and is primarily useful when traveling to German-speaking countries. As a result, teachers tend to adjust the course rigor accordingly.

I think this is the case for all the world languages at TJ. It was how high school foreign language was set up when I was in school, too. Although a lot of schools now require 4 years of a world language before AP, and FCPS has just changed to this, I believe, this year.

What was once considered gen ed is now regarded as advanced, while the previous remedial is now referred to as gen end, presumably to avoid hurting people's feelings.

[Anonymous]

Don’t avoid Spanish. It is an easier language overall, and your child already has a start learning it.

[Anonymous]

Omg. Don’t know why everyone is so worked up about Spanish at TJ. If your kid is from Fairfax, then just take Spanish 2. Especially if they don’t want to study languages. Two years and you’re done. It is not awful. But your kid does have to treat it like a real class, not an elective that requires little to no work. That’s why a lot of kids can’t hack it in Spanish. As opposed to some other languages that are much less work and easy As

[Anonymous]

TJ Spanish 2 is not easy. Most dont plan to enroll in TJ Spanish 3 the following year, but instead enroll in the terminating summer online Spanish 3, and call it quits with just three language credits.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son was advised to not take Spanish since it is extremely hard at TJ. He took German and LOVES it.

In the other TJ thread about rank falling to 14, someone wrote “Bonitatibus has ruined the foreign languages department since she started at TJ.” Anyone know what this means?

And why would Spanish be harder at TJ than other languages? Is it the teacher or it is taught at faster speed?

Bonitatibus seems more like a status quo cheerleader running around as TJ continues on its usual course. She doesn't appear to have the leadership skills or STEM knowledge to make a change, improve, or set new direction. Constantly mentions GPS without any apparent reason, baffles everyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son was advised to not take Spanish since it is extremely hard at TJ. He took German and LOVES it.

In the other TJ thread about rank falling to 14, someone wrote “Bonitatibus has ruined the foreign languages department since she started at TJ.” Anyone know what this means?

And why would Spanish be harder at TJ than other languages? Is it the teacher or it is taught at faster speed?

Bonitatibus seems more like a status quo cheerleader running around as TJ continues on its usual course. She doesn't appear to have the leadership skills or STEM knowledge to make a change, improve, or set new direction. Constantly mentions GPS without any apparent reason, baffles everyone.

True about her constantly mentioning "GPS" jokes. In this year's iNight, I heard kids say it is "Guidance Provided Suspiciously". Couldn't agree more.