MV Parents

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We (amazingly) are likely to get in for 1st grade next year. I didn't even visit because I thought the chances of us getting in were probably slim to none.

Now that I'm here, what would it be like for my child that has some (but not bilingual) Spanish to enter at this grade level?

Way to set your kid up for failure! I guess it's more important for you to brag to your coworkers that your kid goes to an immersion school than actually, you know, doing what's best for your child. Best of luck to your kid. They'll need it.

Probably wouldn't matter much to my coworkers, as most of my coworkers ar trilingual or more. Sadly, Spanish isn't one of my languages (or my husbands).

Assume you are monolingual?

Try again. Unlike you, my children and I speak several languages. Here is my question- if Spanish was so important to you for your child, why are you only going for it once it is free? Do you really expect it to be easy and not at all confusing for your kid? One day they understand everything, and the next is a total blur of incomprehension. I just am stunned by the total lack of care you have not only for your own child, but for the other kids who will be stuck in a classroom with a confused kid who is missing out on half the classes because they don't know what's going on. How selfish of you to do that not only to your child but to the teacher and other children. By the way, it is hard to teach a child another language. Sure, in a few weeks they'll impress you with some phrases they've managed to pick up. Maybe they'll have some basic conversational skills. But true bilingualism can't be achieved by every other day instruction, when you're in 1st grade. Then again since YOU don't speak Spanish you won't even know how garbled it is. I guess ignorance is bliss.

I am fully fluent in a language that I started learning in college. The idea that 1st grade is somehow too late is just silly. And even if you don't agree with someone's choices, there's no need to take such a nasty tone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We (amazingly) are likely to get in for 1st grade next year. I didn't even visit because I thought the chances of us getting in were probably slim to none.

Now that I'm here, what would it be like for my child that has some (but not bilingual) Spanish to enter at this grade level?

Way to set your kid up for failure! I guess it's more important for you to brag to your coworkers that your kid goes to an immersion school than actually, you know, doing what's best for your child. Best of luck to your kid. They'll need it.

Probably wouldn't matter much to my coworkers, as most of my coworkers ar trilingual or more. Sadly, Spanish isn't one of my languages (or my husbands).

Assume you are monolingual?

Try again. Unlike you, my children and I speak several languages. Here is my question- if Spanish was so important to you for your child, why are you only going for it once it is free? Do you really expect it to be easy and not at all confusing for your kid? One day they understand everything, and the next is a total blur of incomprehension. I just am stunned by the total lack of care you have not only for your own child, but for the other kids who will be stuck in a classroom with a confused kid who is missing out on half the classes because they don't know what's going on. How selfish of you to do that not only to your child but to the teacher and other children. By the way, it is hard to teach a child another language. Sure, in a few weeks they'll impress you with some phrases they've managed to pick up. Maybe they'll have some basic conversational skills. But true bilingualism can't be achieved by every other day instruction, when you're in 1st grade. Then again since YOU don't speak Spanish you won't even know how garbled it is. I guess ignorance is bliss.

Seriously, look into private, or better yet homeschooling. As long as your school uses public funds, you don't get to dictate who's worthy of attending.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We (amazingly) are likely to get in for 1st grade next year. I didn't even visit because I thought the chances of us getting in were probably slim to none.

Now that I'm here, what would it be like for my child that has some (but not bilingual) Spanish to enter at this grade level?

Way to set your kid up for failure! I guess it's more important for you to brag to your coworkers that your kid goes to an immersion school than actually, you know, doing what's best for your child. Best of luck to your kid. They'll need it.

Probably wouldn't matter much to my coworkers, as most of my coworkers ar trilingual or more. Sadly, Spanish isn't one of my languages (or my husbands).

Assume you are monolingual?

Try again. Unlike you, my children and I speak several languages. Here is my question- if Spanish was so important to you for your child, why are you only going for it once it is free? Do you really expect it to be easy and not at all confusing for your kid? One day they understand everything, and the next is a total blur of incomprehension. I just am stunned by the total lack of care you have not only for your own child, but for the other kids who will be stuck in a classroom with a confused kid who is missing out on half the classes because they don't know what's going on. How selfish of you to do that not only to your child but to the teacher and other children. By the way, it is hard to teach a child another language. Sure, in a few weeks they'll impress you with some phrases they've managed to pick up. Maybe they'll have some basic conversational skills. But true bilingualism can't be achieved by every other day instruction, when you're in 1st grade. Then again since YOU don't speak Spanish you won't even know how garbled it is. I guess ignorance is bliss.

I am fully fluent in a language that I started learning in college. The idea that 1st grade is somehow too late is just silly. And even if you don't agree with someone's choices, there's no need to take such a nasty tone.

No when someone is being that reckless with their child's education, that tone is justified. Furthermore she personally attacked me as well. I honestly would say what I wrote here to OP's face- OP is being selfish and not putting her child's best interests first.

In college, PP, YOU chose to learn another language and become "fully fluent" (I've met too many "fully fluent" speakers of other languages who are not hence the quotes). In this case OP's kid may be motivated to speak Spanish and do okay, or may drag down the whole class because they are scared and confused and not able or willing to learn quickly enough to catch up with the kids who've had 3 years of Spanish already.

Obviously OP has made the decision to move her kid to MV. Other parents on here can pretend like that's a good decision, or they can be honest with themselves and OP.

[Anonymous]

We are big proponents of learning languages yet left MV, like many other families, for a stronger school. The community was very warm and we've made great friends (parents and kids), but the administration and classroom management gave us pause.

This year at a different immersion program and very happy. DC enjoying and thriving.

FYI- MV won't allow newly accepted kids into their summer camp program, only currently enrolled families. Also, don't expect to be added to the family list serv until next fall.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We (amazingly) are likely to get in for 1st grade next year. I didn't even visit because I thought the chances of us getting in were probably slim to none.

Now that I'm here, what would it be like for my child that has some (but not bilingual) Spanish to enter at this grade level?

Way to set your kid up for failure! I guess it's more important for you to brag to your coworkers that your kid goes to an immersion school than actually, you know, doing what's best for your child. Best of luck to your kid. They'll need it.

Probably wouldn't matter much to my coworkers, as most of my coworkers ar trilingual or more. Sadly, Spanish isn't one of my languages (or my husbands).

Assume you are monolingual?

Try again. Unlike you, my children and I speak several languages. Here is my question- if Spanish was so important to you for your child, why are you only going for it once it is free? Do you really expect it to be easy and not at all confusing for your kid? One day they understand everything, and the next is a total blur of incomprehension. I just am stunned by the total lack of care you have not only for your own child, but for the other kids who will be stuck in a classroom with a confused kid who is missing out on half the classes because they don't know what's going on. How selfish of you to do that not only to your child but to the teacher and other children. By the way, it is hard to teach a child another language. Sure, in a few weeks they'll impress you with some phrases they've managed to pick up. Maybe they'll have some basic conversational skills. But true bilingualism can't be achieved by every other day instruction, when you're in 1st grade. Then again since YOU don't speak Spanish you won't even know how garbled it is. I guess ignorance is bliss.

I am fully fluent in a language that I started learning in college. The idea that 1st grade is somehow too late is just silly. And even if you don't agree with someone's choices, there's no need to take such a nasty tone.

No when someone is being that reckless with their child's education, that tone is justified. Furthermore she personally attacked me as well. I honestly would say what I wrote here to OP's face- OP is being selfish and not putting her child's best interests first.

In college, PP, YOU chose to learn another language and become "fully fluent" (I've met too many "fully fluent" speakers of other languages who are not hence the quotes). In this case OP's kid may be motivated to speak Spanish and do okay, or may drag down the whole class because they are scared and confused and not able or willing to learn quickly enough to catch up with the kids who've had 3 years of Spanish already.

Obviously OP has made the decision to move her kid to MV. Other parents on here can pretend like that's a good decision, or they can be honest with themselves and OP.

First, I haven't made a decision to move my child. I was asking for feedback. I wonder if you would have been this nasty to my face? If so, I'm happy to meet you in person to discuss your feelings about the topic. Just let me know when and where. I will be there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We (amazingly) are likely to get in for 1st grade next year. I didn't even visit because I thought the chances of us getting in were probably slim to none.

Now that I'm here, what would it be like for my child that has some (but not bilingual) Spanish to enter at this grade level?

Way to set your kid up for failure! I guess it's more important for you to brag to your coworkers that your kid goes to an immersion school than actually, you know, doing what's best for your child. Best of luck to your kid. They'll need it.

Probably wouldn't matter much to my coworkers, as most of my coworkers ar trilingual or more. Sadly, Spanish isn't one of my languages (or my husbands).

Assume you are monolingual?

Try again. Unlike you, my children and I speak several languages. Here is my question- if Spanish was so important to you for your child, why are you only going for it once it is free? Do you really expect it to be easy and not at all confusing for your kid? One day they understand everything, and the next is a total blur of incomprehension. I just am stunned by the total lack of care you have not only for your own child, but for the other kids who will be stuck in a classroom with a confused kid who is missing out on half the classes because they don't know what's going on. How selfish of you to do that not only to your child but to the teacher and other children. By the way, it is hard to teach a child another language. Sure, in a few weeks they'll impress you with some phrases they've managed to pick up. Maybe they'll have some basic conversational skills. But true bilingualism can't be achieved by every other day instruction, when you're in 1st grade. Then again since YOU don't speak Spanish you won't even know how garbled it is. I guess ignorance is bliss.

I am fully fluent in a language that I started learning in college. The idea that 1st grade is somehow too late is just silly. And even if you don't agree with someone's choices, there's no need to take such a nasty tone.

No when someone is being that reckless with their child's education, that tone is justified. Furthermore she personally attacked me as well. I honestly would say what I wrote here to OP's face- OP is being selfish and not putting her child's best interests first.

In college, PP, YOU chose to learn another language and become "fully fluent" (I've met too many "fully fluent" speakers of other languages who are not hence the quotes). In this case OP's kid may be motivated to speak Spanish and do okay, or may drag down the whole class because they are scared and confused and not able or willing to learn quickly enough to catch up with the kids who've had 3 years of Spanish already.

Obviously OP has made the decision to move her kid to MV. Other parents on here can pretend like that's a good decision, or they can be honest with themselves and OP.

First, I haven't made a decision to move my child. I was asking for feedback. I wonder if you would have been this nasty to my face? If so, I'm happy to meet you in person to discuss your feelings about the topic. Just let me know when and where. I will be there.

That sounds like a threat. And you sound deranged. I said what I said and you can hear the truth and it upsets you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We (amazingly) are likely to get in for 1st grade next year. I didn't even visit because I thought the chances of us getting in were probably slim to none.

Now that I'm here, what would it be like for my child that has some (but not bilingual) Spanish to enter at this grade level?

Way to set your kid up for failure! I guess it's more important for you to brag to your coworkers that your kid goes to an immersion school than actually, you know, doing what's best for your child. Best of luck to your kid. They'll need it.

Probably wouldn't matter much to my coworkers, as most of my coworkers ar trilingual or more. Sadly, Spanish isn't one of my languages (or my husbands).

Assume you are monolingual?

Try again. Unlike you, my children and I speak several languages. Here is my question- if Spanish was so important to you for your child, why are you only going for it once it is free? Do you really expect it to be easy and not at all confusing for your kid? One day they understand everything, and the next is a total blur of incomprehension. I just am stunned by the total lack of care you have not only for your own child, but for the other kids who will be stuck in a classroom with a confused kid who is missing out on half the classes because they don't know what's going on. How selfish of you to do that not only to your child but to the teacher and other children. By the way, it is hard to teach a child another language. Sure, in a few weeks they'll impress you with some phrases they've managed to pick up. Maybe they'll have some basic conversational skills. But true bilingualism can't be achieved by every other day instruction, when you're in 1st grade. Then again since YOU don't speak Spanish you won't even know how garbled it is. I guess ignorance is bliss.

I am fully fluent in a language that I started learning in college. The idea that 1st grade is somehow too late is just silly. And even if you don't agree with someone's choices, there's no need to take such a nasty tone.

No when someone is being that reckless with their child's education, that tone is justified. Furthermore she personally attacked me as well. I honestly would say what I wrote here to OP's face- OP is being selfish and not putting her child's best interests first.

In college, PP, YOU chose to learn another language and become "fully fluent" (I've met too many "fully fluent" speakers of other languages who are not hence the quotes). In this case OP's kid may be motivated to speak Spanish and do okay, or may drag down the whole class because they are scared and confused and not able or willing to learn quickly enough to catch up with the kids who've had 3 years of Spanish already.

Obviously OP has made the decision to move her kid to MV. Other parents on here can pretend like that's a good decision, or they can be honest with themselves and OP.

First, I haven't made a decision to move my child. I was asking for feedback. I wonder if you would have been this nasty to my face? If so, I'm happy to meet you in person to discuss your feelings about the topic. Just let me know when and where. I will be there.

That sounds like a threat. And you sound deranged. I said what I said and you can hear the truth and it upsets you.

Not a threat, I think what happens on annonymous message boards gets misunderstood, if you are a MV parent - I'd love to hear you thought process. If you have experience in this, I wouuld love to talk it through with you.

On DCUM is a random stranger being angry for no reason. I'd love to hear more in a give and take.

I speak three languages - so if you speak French or german we can converse in either of those.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We (amazingly) are likely to get in for 1st grade next year. I didn't even visit because I thought the chances of us getting in were probably slim to none.

Now that I'm here, what would it be like for my child that has some (but not bilingual) Spanish to enter at this grade level?

Way to set your kid up for failure! I guess it's more important for you to brag to your coworkers that your kid goes to an immersion school than actually, you know, doing what's best for your child. Best of luck to your kid. They'll need it.

Probably wouldn't matter much to my coworkers, as most of my coworkers ar trilingual or more. Sadly, Spanish isn't one of my languages (or my husbands).

Assume you are monolingual?

Try again. Unlike you, my children and I speak several languages. Here is my question- if Spanish was so important to you for your child, why are you only going for it once it is free? Do you really expect it to be easy and not at all confusing for your kid? One day they understand everything, and the next is a total blur of incomprehension. I just am stunned by the total lack of care you have not only for your own child, but for the other kids who will be stuck in a classroom with a confused kid who is missing out on half the classes because they don't know what's going on. How selfish of you to do that not only to your child but to the teacher and other children. By the way, it is hard to teach a child another language. Sure, in a few weeks they'll impress you with some phrases they've managed to pick up. Maybe they'll have some basic conversational skills. But true bilingualism can't be achieved by every other day instruction, when you're in 1st grade. Then again since YOU don't speak Spanish you won't even know how garbled it is. I guess ignorance is bliss.

I am fully fluent in a language that I started learning in college. The idea that 1st grade is somehow too late is just silly. And even if you don't agree with someone's choices, there's no need to take such a nasty tone.

No when someone is being that reckless with their child's education, that tone is justified. Furthermore she personally attacked me as well. I honestly would say what I wrote here to OP's face- OP is being selfish and not putting her child's best interests first.

In college, PP, YOU chose to learn another language and become "fully fluent" (I've met too many "fully fluent" speakers of other languages who are not hence the quotes). In this case OP's kid may be motivated to speak Spanish and do okay, or may drag down the whole class because they are scared and confused and not able or willing to learn quickly enough to catch up with the kids who've had 3 years of Spanish already.

Obviously OP has made the decision to move her kid to MV. Other parents on here can pretend like that's a good decision, or they can be honest with themselves and OP.

First, I haven't made a decision to move my child. I was asking for feedback. I wonder if you would have been this nasty to my face? If so, I'm happy to meet you in person to discuss your feelings about the topic. Just let me know when and where. I will be there.

That sounds like a threat. And you sound deranged. I said what I said and you can hear the truth and it upsets you.

You realize in many European schools they don't start the bilingual model until kids are 6 right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We (amazingly) are likely to get in for 1st grade next year. I didn't even visit because I thought the chances of us getting in were probably slim to none.

Now that I'm here, what would it be like for my child that has some (but not bilingual) Spanish to enter at this grade level?

Way to set your kid up for failure! I guess it's more important for you to brag to your coworkers that your kid goes to an immersion school than actually, you know, doing what's best for your child. Best of luck to your kid. They'll need it.

Probably wouldn't matter much to my coworkers, as most of my coworkers ar trilingual or more. Sadly, Spanish isn't one of my languages (or my husbands).

Assume you are monolingual?

Try again. Unlike you, my children and I speak several languages. Here is my question- if Spanish was so important to you for your child, why are you only going for it once it is free? Do you really expect it to be easy and not at all confusing for your kid? One day they understand everything, and the next is a total blur of incomprehension. I just am stunned by the total lack of care you have not only for your own child, but for the other kids who will be stuck in a classroom with a confused kid who is missing out on half the classes because they don't know what's going on. How selfish of you to do that not only to your child but to the teacher and other children. By the way, it is hard to teach a child another language. Sure, in a few weeks they'll impress you with some phrases they've managed to pick up. Maybe they'll have some basic conversational skills. But true bilingualism can't be achieved by every other day instruction, when you're in 1st grade. Then again since YOU don't speak Spanish you won't even know how garbled it is. I guess ignorance is bliss.

I am fully fluent in a language that I started learning in college. The idea that 1st grade is somehow too late is just silly. And even if you don't agree with someone's choices, there's no need to take such a nasty tone.

No when someone is being that reckless with their child's education, that tone is justified. Furthermore she personally attacked me as well. I honestly would say what I wrote here to OP's face- OP is being selfish and not putting her child's best interests first.

In college, PP, YOU chose to learn another language and become "fully fluent" (I've met too many "fully fluent" speakers of other languages who are not hence the quotes). In this case OP's kid may be motivated to speak Spanish and do okay, or may drag down the whole class because they are scared and confused and not able or willing to learn quickly enough to catch up with the kids who've had 3 years of Spanish already.

Obviously OP has made the decision to move her kid to MV. Other parents on here can pretend like that's a good decision, or they can be honest with themselves and OP.

First, I haven't made a decision to move my child. I was asking for feedback. I wonder if you would have been this nasty to my face? If so, I'm happy to meet you in person to discuss your feelings about the topic. Just let me know when and where. I will be there.

That sounds like a threat. And you sound deranged. I said what I said and you can hear the truth and it upsets you.

You realize in many European schools they don't start the bilingual model until kids are 6 right?

That would be for the third language usually. No where is the model where you shove a few English speakers into a foreign language classroom where they're bewildered and behind. And before you say, well so and so went to Sweden when she was 7 and learned perfect Swedish in a matter of weeks! That's different- that's an immersion setting where people speak Swedish or whatever language outside of school. Here we are in an English environment where Spanish is only taught every other day. You're expecting an impossible miracle from your child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We (amazingly) are likely to get in for 1st grade next year. I didn't even visit because I thought the chances of us getting in were probably slim to none.

Now that I'm here, what would it be like for my child that has some (but not bilingual) Spanish to enter at this grade level?

Way to set your kid up for failure! I guess it's more important for you to brag to your coworkers that your kid goes to an immersion school than actually, you know, doing what's best for your child. Best of luck to your kid. They'll need it.

Probably wouldn't matter much to my coworkers, as most of my coworkers ar trilingual or more. Sadly, Spanish isn't one of my languages (or my husbands).

Assume you are monolingual?

Try again. Unlike you, my children and I speak several languages. Here is my question- if Spanish was so important to you for your child, why are you only going for it once it is free? Do you really expect it to be easy and not at all confusing for your kid? One day they understand everything, and the next is a total blur of incomprehension. I just am stunned by the total lack of care you have not only for your own child, but for the other kids who will be stuck in a classroom with a confused kid who is missing out on half the classes because they don't know what's going on. How selfish of you to do that not only to your child but to the teacher and other children. By the way, it is hard to teach a child another language. Sure, in a few weeks they'll impress you with some phrases they've managed to pick up. Maybe they'll have some basic conversational skills. But true bilingualism can't be achieved by every other day instruction, when you're in 1st grade. Then again since YOU don't speak Spanish you won't even know how garbled it is. I guess ignorance is bliss.

I am fully fluent in a language that I started learning in college. The idea that 1st grade is somehow too late is just silly. And even if you don't agree with someone's choices, there's no need to take such a nasty tone.

No when someone is being that reckless with their child's education, that tone is justified. Furthermore she personally attacked me as well. I honestly would say what I wrote here to OP's face- OP is being selfish and not putting her child's best interests first.

In college, PP, YOU chose to learn another language and become "fully fluent" (I've met too many "fully fluent" speakers of other languages who are not hence the quotes). In this case OP's kid may be motivated to speak Spanish and do okay, or may drag down the whole class because they are scared and confused and not able or willing to learn quickly enough to catch up with the kids who've had 3 years of Spanish already.

Obviously OP has made the decision to move her kid to MV. Other parents on here can pretend like that's a good decision, or they can be honest with themselves and OP.

First, I haven't made a decision to move my child. I was asking for feedback. I wonder if you would have been this nasty to my face? If so, I'm happy to meet you in person to discuss your feelings about the topic. Just let me know when and where. I will be there.

That sounds like a threat. And you sound deranged. I said what I said and you can hear the truth and it upsets you.

You realize in many European schools they don't start the bilingual model until kids are 6 right?

That would be for the third language usually. No where is the model where you shove a few English speakers into a foreign language classroom where they're bewildered and behind. And before you say, well so and so went to Sweden when she was 7 and learned perfect Swedish in a matter of weeks! That's different- that's an immersion setting where people speak Swedish or whatever language outside of school. Here we are in an English environment where Spanish is only taught every other day. You're expecting an impossible miracle from your child.

Yes, well American children are not as smart - we all know that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We (amazingly) are likely to get in for 1st grade next year. I didn't even visit because I thought the chances of us getting in were probably slim to none.

Now that I'm here, what would it be like for my child that has some (but not bilingual) Spanish to enter at this grade level?

Way to set your kid up for failure! I guess it's more important for you to brag to your coworkers that your kid goes to an immersion school than actually, you know, doing what's best for your child. Best of luck to your kid. They'll need it.

Probably wouldn't matter much to my coworkers, as most of my coworkers ar trilingual or more. Sadly, Spanish isn't one of my languages (or my husbands).

Assume you are monolingual?

Try again. Unlike you, my children and I speak several languages. Here is my question- if Spanish was so important to you for your child, why are you only going for it once it is free? Do you really expect it to be easy and not at all confusing for your kid? One day they understand everything, and the next is a total blur of incomprehension. I just am stunned by the total lack of care you have not only for your own child, but for the other kids who will be stuck in a classroom with a confused kid who is missing out on half the classes because they don't know what's going on. How selfish of you to do that not only to your child but to the teacher and other children. By the way, it is hard to teach a child another language. Sure, in a few weeks they'll impress you with some phrases they've managed to pick up. Maybe they'll have some basic conversational skills. But true bilingualism can't be achieved by every other day instruction, when you're in 1st grade. Then again since YOU don't speak Spanish you won't even know how garbled it is. I guess ignorance is bliss.

I am fully fluent in a language that I started learning in college. The idea that 1st grade is somehow too late is just silly. And even if you don't agree with someone's choices, there's no need to take such a nasty tone.

No when someone is being that reckless with their child's education, that tone is justified. Furthermore she personally attacked me as well. I honestly would say what I wrote here to OP's face- OP is being selfish and not putting her child's best interests first.

In college, PP, YOU chose to learn another language and become "fully fluent" (I've met too many "fully fluent" speakers of other languages who are not hence the quotes). In this case OP's kid may be motivated to speak Spanish and do okay, or may drag down the whole class because they are scared and confused and not able or willing to learn quickly enough to catch up with the kids who've had 3 years of Spanish already.

Obviously OP has made the decision to move her kid to MV. Other parents on here can pretend like that's a good decision, or they can be honest with themselves and OP.

First, I haven't made a decision to move my child. I was asking for feedback. I wonder if you would have been this nasty to my face? If so, I'm happy to meet you in person to discuss your feelings about the topic. Just let me know when and where. I will be there.

That sounds like a threat. And you sound deranged. I said what I said and you can hear the truth and it upsets you.

You realize in many European schools they don't start the bilingual model until kids are 6 right?

That would be for the third language usually. No where is the model where you shove a few English speakers into a foreign language classroom where they're bewildered and behind. And before you say, well so and so went to Sweden when she was 7 and learned perfect Swedish in a matter of weeks! That's different- that's an immersion setting where people speak Swedish or whatever language outside of school. Here we are in an English environment where Spanish is only taught every other day. You're expecting an impossible miracle from your child.

Yes, well American children are not as smart - we all know that.

Seriously -- that is the only reasoning that could get one to believe this is an "impossible miracle." Give me a break. It's not like Spanish is Mandarin. If you are serious about supporting your child to learn Spanish, there are any number of options that can be pursued to help the child catch up. Spanish nannys, au pairs, additional classes on weekends, signing up for online support tools -- look at all the stuff YY parents who don't speak Mandarin do to support their kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
First, I haven't made a decision to move my child. I was asking for feedback. I wonder if you would have been this nasty to my face? If so, I'm happy to meet you in person to discuss your feelings about the topic. Just let me know when and where. I will be there.

That sounds like a threat. And you sound deranged. I said what I said and you can hear the truth and it upsets you.

Well that escalated quickly.

I think this discussion is far enough off-topic that y'all can take it elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:We (amazingly) are likely to get in for 1st grade next year. I didn't even visit because I thought the chances of us getting in were probably slim to none.

Now that I'm here, what would it be like for my child that has some (but not bilingual) Spanish to enter at this grade level?

Way to set your kid up for failure! I guess it's more important for you to brag to your coworkers that your kid goes to an immersion school than actually, you know, doing what's best for your child. Best of luck to your kid. They'll need it.

Probably wouldn't matter much to my coworkers, as most of my coworkers ar trilingual or more. Sadly, Spanish isn't one of my languages (or my husbands).

Assume you are monolingual?

Try again. Unlike you, my children and I speak several languages. Here is my question- if Spanish was so important to you for your child, why are you only going for it once it is free? Do you really expect it to be easy and not at all confusing for your kid? One day they understand everything, and the next is a total blur of incomprehension. I just am stunned by the total lack of care you have not only for your own child, but for the other kids who will be stuck in a classroom with a confused kid who is missing out on half the classes because they don't know what's going on. How selfish of you to do that not only to your child but to the teacher and other children. By the way, it is hard to teach a child another language. Sure, in a few weeks they'll impress you with some phrases they've managed to pick up. Maybe they'll have some basic conversational skills. But true bilingualism can't be achieved by every other day instruction, when you're in 1st grade. Then again since YOU don't speak Spanish you won't even know how garbled it is. I guess ignorance is bliss.

I am fully fluent in a language that I started learning in college. The idea that 1st grade is somehow too late is just silly. And even if you don't agree with someone's choices, there's no need to take such a nasty tone.

No when someone is being that reckless with their child's education, that tone is justified. Furthermore she personally attacked me as well. I honestly would say what I wrote here to OP's face- OP is being selfish and not putting her child's best interests first.

In college, PP, YOU chose to learn another language and become "fully fluent" (I've met too many "fully fluent" speakers of other languages who are not hence the quotes). In this case OP's kid may be motivated to speak Spanish and do okay, or may drag down the whole class because they are scared and confused and not able or willing to learn quickly enough to catch up with the kids who've had 3 years of Spanish already.

Obviously OP has made the decision to move her kid to MV. Other parents on here can pretend like that's a good decision, or they can be honest with themselves and OP.

It's like you did not even bother to read the original post except to see "first grade" and "some Spanish" and went completely off the rails.

It's not "reckless" to ask parents at a school for their input into this situation. That's actually responsible behavior. You wouldn't have been personally attacked if you hadn't started out being a nasty bitch. The valid points that you made about the dynamic in the class between the recent learner and the rest of the class got lost in your paranoia.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We (amazingly) are likely to get in for 1st grade next year. I didn't even visit because I thought the chances of us getting in were probably slim to none.

Now that I'm here, what would it be like for my child that has some (but not bilingual) Spanish to enter at this grade level?

Way to set your kid up for failure! I guess it's more important for you to brag to your coworkers that your kid goes to an immersion school than actually, you know, doing what's best for your child. Best of luck to your kid. They'll need it.

Probably wouldn't matter much to my coworkers, as most of my coworkers ar trilingual or more. Sadly, Spanish isn't one of my languages (or my husbands).

Assume you are monolingual?

Try again. Unlike you, my children and I speak several languages. Here is my question- if Spanish was so important to you for your child, why are you only going for it once it is free? Do you really expect it to be easy and not at all confusing for your kid? One day they understand everything, and the next is a total blur of incomprehension. I just am stunned by the total lack of care you have not only for your own child, but for the other kids who will be stuck in a classroom with a confused kid who is missing out on half the classes because they don't know what's going on. How selfish of you to do that not only to your child but to the teacher and other children. By the way, it is hard to teach a child another language. Sure, in a few weeks they'll impress you with some phrases they've managed to pick up. Maybe they'll have some basic conversational skills. But true bilingualism can't be achieved by every other day instruction, when you're in 1st grade. Then again since YOU don't speak Spanish you won't even know how garbled it is. I guess ignorance is bliss.

I am fully fluent in a language that I started learning in college. The idea that 1st grade is somehow too late is just silly. And even if you don't agree with someone's choices, there's no need to take such a nasty tone.

No when someone is being that reckless with their child's education, that tone is justified. Furthermore she personally attacked me as well. I honestly would say what I wrote here to OP's face- OP is being selfish and not putting her child's best interests first.

In college, PP, YOU chose to learn another language and become "fully fluent" (I've met too many "fully fluent" speakers of other languages who are not hence the quotes). In this case OP's kid may be motivated to speak Spanish and do okay, or may drag down the whole class because they are scared and confused and not able or willing to learn quickly enough to catch up with the kids who've had 3 years of Spanish already.

Obviously OP has made the decision to move her kid to MV. Other parents on here can pretend like that's a good decision, or they can be honest with themselves and OP.

First, I haven't made a decision to move my child. I was asking for feedback. I wonder if you would have been this nasty to my face? If so, I'm happy to meet you in person to discuss your feelings about the topic. Just let me know when and where. I will be there.

That sounds like a threat. And you sound deranged. I said what I said and you can hear the truth and it upsets you.

You realize in many European schools they don't start the bilingual model until kids are 6 right?

That would be for the third language usually. No where is the model where you shove a few English speakers into a foreign language classroom where they're bewildered and behind. And before you say, well so and so went to Sweden when she was 7 and learned perfect Swedish in a matter of weeks! That's different- that's an immersion setting where people speak Swedish or whatever language outside of school. Here we are in an English environment where Spanish is only taught every other day. You're expecting an impossible miracle from your child.

Are you European? In my country that is not the case. I'd love to know which country kids are bilingual before they even start school.

[Anonymous]

We started MV in K (now in 1st) and have been very happy. I know there have been issues with behavior management, but we haven't experienced any in either of my kid's classrooms yet. I am really grateful that my kid, who had no Spanish background, had a full year of immersion in K and have seen how the new students in 1st grade class have struggled. If you take the spot (and I would, but like I said -- no bad experiences at the school yet), I would highly recommend a summer of Spanish camp at WIS or somewhere like that -- that way, your kid will get the exposure to Spanish in a more relaxed, non-academic environment. I think it would make the transition much easier.