FCPS- Dual Language Immersion Program- Is It Still Needed In Schools?

[RGraves]

Hello,
I am a student at George Mason University working on a DLI study. We are trying to gain feedback on whether this program is still needed in FCPS. Our assignment is due at the end of November, and we really value community feedback. Could you help us by answering a few questions:

1. Are you a parent, teacher, other (please let us know).
2. Have you participated in the program, if so, which one?
3. Why did you apply?
4. How did the lottery process work for you?
5. What were the pros and cons of the lottery process?
6. What are the pros and cons of the program?
7. What changes would you make?
8. Would you recommend the program to someone else?
9. Is the DLI program still needed in Fairfax, if so why?

Your submissions will be used to help us gain valuable information on this process. We will use it for our presentation and writing assignment.

Thanks in advance for your help!

[Anonymous]

Yes boo

[Anonymous]

Three questions about the application process and zero questions about the long term benefits of learning another language. Which is, of course, the primary benefit of learning 2 languages. Literacy skills and brain development are enhanced. Not to mention it's a skill many people find much easier to learn as a child than as an adult, due to brain plasticity in children.

But I'm sure you've already covered that? Or nah?

[Anonymous]

Agree. No offense, OP, but these are really leading questions. Are you doing a budget study to justify it? Or is it actually focused on the educational value of the program?

[Anonymous]

You’re a 🤡 OP

[Anonymous]

This should be moved to the FCPS specific forum.

[Anonymous]

9. Yes, it’s needed and access to early language instruction should be expanded to all elementary schools.
Because we live in a global world, because speaking a second language is part of being a well rounded world citizen, because there are countless benefits that you can easily Google.

[Anonymous]

People do it to get to a better school then what they are zoned for. You can buy a cheaper house and finagle your way into an immersion school and get a bus too! win win

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:People do it to get to a better school then what they are zoned for. You can buy a cheaper house and finagle your way into an immersion school and get a bus too! win win

You’re not getting a bus. You drive.

[Anonymous]

Thank you all for the feedback. I appreciate the feedback and comments about the questions. Our county doesn't have dual language immersion program at all, so the intent wasn't to post loaded questions or justify the topic, but to get a sense of the program and how it's being used. These questions are a starting point- thank you for sharing your thoughts on including the literacy impact. I didn't want to blow up the site with too many questions...so, seeing that you all have gone through the process- what questions might you add? What would you change? We are conducting a needs assessment- No offense taken.

[Anonymous]

And posting it on the FCPS specific forum channeled no feedback- you all are clearly much more fun!

[Anonymous]

What does “need” mean in this case ? And no, the meaning in the context of original post is NOT obvious or clear.

[Anonymous]

We live in a self-contained closed bubble and have no interaction whatsoever with other countries so knowing other languages is not necessary. Some may make fun of our country as being a bunch of inbreds but I believe we will get the last laugh.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you all for the feedback. I appreciate the feedback and comments about the questions. Our county doesn't have dual language immersion program at all, so the intent wasn't to post loaded questions or justify the topic, but to get a sense of the program and how it's being used. These questions are a starting point- thank you for sharing your thoughts on including the literacy impact. I didn't want to blow up the site with too many questions...so, seeing that you all have gone through the process- what questions might you add? What would you change? We are conducting a needs assessment- No offense taken.

Are you the OP? I’m confused because the question was presented as George Mason students doing a study, but this makes it sound like you are trying to gather information for another school district that doesn’t have immersion. (In which case you should communicate with the FCPS World Languages office, not this forum.)

[Anonymous]

Surely this does not follow GMU’s research protocols? If so, I am questioning the quality of your education.