Any cons to Dual Language Immersion Program?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Cons:



Some people think that there can be a problem with kids learning math while learning a new language.

If this were true we’d likely see significantly lower math scores coming out of most European countries…

Is math taught in English in Europe or the countries native tongue? Math and Science are taught in the immersion language in FCPS. The argument is that trying to learn math while being taught in a new language makes learning math more difficult.

One of the knocks on the program is that some of the kids come out of it weak in math. I am less certain that those kids would have been stronger in math if they took the class in English because there are kids who struggle with ES math, it takes a while and lots of practice for some of those skills to be fully understood. Plenty of kids in the regular curriculum at our school struggled with math when taught completely in English.

Someone pointed out that more kids in the LI program take some type of math enrichment or attend math support. Some explain this as the kids are struggling with math. I would offer the counter argument that parents who placed their kids in LI tend to be more involved in their kids' education and are more likely to be looking at enrichment opportunities.

Or maybe it’s just that language kids aren’t as mathy.

Close to half the kids in my child's LI program were in Advanced Math and a good number of them moved into Algebra 1 H in 7th grade, it was 30 or so kids. I think the real answer is that some kids take longer to pick up math and a kid struggling in math probably does need to be in a class that teaches math in their native language. That said, most of the kids seem to do just fine with math when taught in the target language in the LI programs. But some people who ahve kids who are not strong in math would list the math issue as a con.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Cons:



Some people think that there can be a problem with kids learning math while learning a new language.

If this were true we’d likely see significantly lower math scores coming out of most European countries…

Is math taught in English in Europe or the countries native tongue? Math and Science are taught in the immersion language in FCPS. The argument is that trying to learn math while being taught in a new language makes learning math more difficult.

One of the knocks on the program is that some of the kids come out of it weak in math. I am less certain that those kids would have been stronger in math if they took the class in English because there are kids who struggle with ES math, it takes a while and lots of practice for some of those skills to be fully understood. Plenty of kids in the regular curriculum at our school struggled with math when taught completely in English.

Someone pointed out that more kids in the LI program take some type of math enrichment or attend math support. Some explain this as the kids are struggling with math. I would offer the counter argument that parents who placed their kids in LI tend to be more involved in their kids' education and are more likely to be looking at enrichment opportunities.

Or maybe it’s just that language kids aren’t as mathy.

Close to half the kids in my child's LI program were in Advanced Math and a good number of them moved into Algebra 1 H in 7th grade, it was 30 or so kids. I think the real answer is that some kids take longer to pick up math and a kid struggling in math probably does need to be in a class that teaches math in their native language. That said, most of the kids seem to do just fine with math when taught in the target language in the LI programs. But some people who ahve kids who are not strong in math would list the math issue as a con.

That was my experience with LI as well. Lots of kids moved on to algebra in 7th grade and are now majoring in STEM in college.

[Anonymous]

I honestly see more cons than advantages. Being taught in a language is different from being conversational or even fluent. The goal of these programs aren’t fluency. Other cons are lack of community and division at the local school. The class sizes get smaller and smaller it’s like an isolated group of kids. Test scores in reading and math are after lower.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I honestly see more cons than advantages. Being taught in a language is different from being conversational or even fluent. The goal of these programs aren’t fluency. Other cons are lack of community and division at the local school. The class sizes get smaller and smaller it’s like an isolated group of kids. Test scores in reading and math are after lower.

Not at our school but that might be because the kids in LI who were selected for AAP stayed for the LI program and the kids in the regular program selected for AAP moved to the Center. Far more kids in Advanced Math in the LI program then the regular class, as in half the LI program was in Advanced Math and only 10% of the regular program kids.

There is no easy way to compare the test scores for reading because you cannot divide the SOL by LI and non-LI.

[Anonymous]

The only con is that you can’t get in. I’m not sure why I was convinced it would happen for our family. I speak Spanish and was excited to have my someone to speak to. Maybe my 3rd kid can get in in the future. The worst part is that all the families I know that got in weren’t even excited and most dropped out.

[Anonymous]

You limit your child to a small cohort. I wouldn't want that, no matter what the benefits.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You limit your child to a small cohort. I wouldn't want that, no matter what the benefits.

I teach one of the non-immersion classes at an immersion school. The kids definitely get tired of each other after a while.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The only con is that you can’t get in. I’m not sure why I was convinced it would happen for our family. I speak Spanish and was excited to have my someone to speak to. Maybe my 3rd kid can get in in the future. The worst part is that all the families I know that got in weren’t even excited and most dropped out.

You should reapply. When people drop out, that leaves spots open. The requirement to get one of those spots is that your kid have the same knowledge as the other kids in the class.

Since you know Spanish and can teach your kids some basics, you've got a good chance at getting in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The only con is that you can’t get in. I’m not sure why I was convinced it would happen for our family. I speak Spanish and was excited to have my someone to speak to. Maybe my 3rd kid can get in in the future. The worst part is that all the families I know that got in weren’t even excited and most dropped out.

The Japanese and Korean programs tend to have no wait list or a short wait list that most everyone makes it off of. I know people target the Spanish programs because Spanish is commonly used but we loved the JIP at Fox Mill. It was our base school so we didn’t have to worry about transportation. One of the reasons that we liked it was because the language was challenging and we knew it would require our child to apply themselves. If they could wrap their heads around Japanese then they would be in good shape to learn the romance languages latter if they wanted to.

But I know it is not the language so many people want. People are more willing to look at the Romance languages.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The only con is that you can’t get in. I’m not sure why I was convinced it would happen for our family. I speak Spanish and was excited to have my someone to speak to. Maybe my 3rd kid can get in in the future. The worst part is that all the families I know that got in weren’t even excited and most dropped out.

The Japanese and Korean programs tend to have no wait list or a short wait list that most everyone makes it off of. I know people target the Spanish programs because Spanish is commonly used but we loved the JIP at Fox Mill. It was our base school so we didn’t have to worry about transportation. One of the reasons that we liked it was because the language was challenging and we knew it would require our child to apply themselves. If they could wrap their heads around Japanese then they would be in good shape to learn the romance languages latter if they wanted to.

But I know it is not the language so many people want. People are more willing to look at the Romance languages.

I completely understand. Spanish is at our home school which is why I was hoping to get in.