thoughts on language immersion school

[bluepyxis]

I have a 2 and half-year-old daughter who does not speak either English or Spanish at home.
Her father speaks English to her but she mainly stays home with me.
She understands English pretty well and speaks some words too.

We are going to send her to pre k-3 this year so we are looking at schools now.
There are some in-boundary schools that have a Spanish immersion program.

My question is that should I look for other schools without the language immersion program or if It would still help her learn 3rd language and not make her confused?

Please share your experience or ideas on this.

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

I'd also love to hear about people's experiences with immersion programs. I am considering Rochambeau for my monolingual 4-year-old. We don't speak French at home, and I am wondering whether that is a problem.

[Anonymous]

What language does she speak at home? We sent both kids to spanish immersion preschool. They conduct the entire day/school in Spanish. They will ONLY speak English if a kid is about to run into the street or something. DS just turned 3 and is fluent in both languages. DD7 also is.

[Anonymous]

Spanish speaking household with young kid at Rochambeau French School. Learning three languages is totally possible, kids pick up languages easily with the right environment. In my experience Rochambeau is doing a great job at immersion (both in French and in English) and academics are A+. Just keep in mind that it's a long term (and totally worth it!) commitment. It's standard in other countries to learn other languages in school.

* Support outside school even if you do not speak the immersion language, a few ideas: playdates with natives, books in the target language (borrow from libraries, buy some to create a little home library for an emotional/intellectual connection, second hand books), exposure to the culture through exhibits, shows, events (this is DC, check events through embassies, foreign cultural centers, museums...) even if the events are in English, but they show something of the culture (dance, painting, gastronomy, music, history...)... Others may offer other suggestions for language exposure outside school.

* Check school website and talk to admissions for more details and to answer your questions and concerns about immersion programs for non-native speakers.

[Anonymous]

Love Rochambeau!