Inspired Teaching Parents -- what do you do about languages?

[Anonymous]

My DC is close to single digits on the waitlist, so I'm wondering what IT parents do about languages?

Is it just not a concern? I see that the after care program offers Spanish as an elective, and I'm looking at the possibility of Saturday classes at CommuniKids and/or Alliance Francaise, is there anything else that parents do to supplement their DC's education in Spanish or other languages?

Not meaning to start any hostile arguments here, I think IT is a fabulous school. I'm watching the waitlist closely and really hoping to join the IT family, so trying to figure out what options are available for language instruction.

TIA!

[Anonymous]

Thanks for asking this question. We too are almost single digits now and i was wondering the same thing.

[Anonymous]

IT parent here- we're looking forward to the school adding language- probably starting next year.

[Anonymous]

I am an IT parent and honestly I'm not passionate about having language in school unless it's immersion. My other top school choice was Haynes and I was not too concerned about the lack of language there either. I know many parents feel strongly about it and that's a wonder of charters vs DCPS. However, I know that IT does want to eventually hire a language teacher (maybe as early as next year). I'm more of an "all or nothing" on this one. I'd rather have a music teacher than an hour here or an hour there of language instruction. If it were important to me, I would consider supplementing with summer/weekend programs. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am an IT parent and honestly I'm not passionate about having language in school unless it's immersion. My other top school choice was Haynes and I was not too concerned about the lack of language there either. I know many parents feel strongly about it and that's a wonder of charters vs DCPS. However, I know that IT does want to eventually hire a language teacher (maybe as early as next year). I'm more of an "all or nothing" on this one. I'd rather have a music teacher than an hour here or an hour there of language instruction. If it were important to me, I would consider supplementing with summer/weekend programs. Good luck.

I could have written this myself. I think if a second language is highly important to you then you should opt for a language immersion school. IT is a wonderful school, but language is not it's primary goal and spotty classes here or there are pretty useless. I would say that most of us who willingly chose IT (as opposed to those families where this was the only spot available), did not see language as "make or break" in our decision process. If language is super important to you I think you'll be frustrated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am an IT parent and honestly I'm not passionate about having language in school unless it's immersion. My other top school choice was Haynes and I was not too concerned about the lack of language there either. I know many parents feel strongly about it and that's a wonder of charters vs DCPS. However, I know that IT does want to eventually hire a language teacher (maybe as early as next year). I'm more of an "all or nothing" on this one. I'd rather have a music teacher than an hour here or an hour there of language instruction. If it were important to me, I would consider supplementing with summer/weekend programs. Good luck.

I could have written this myself. I think if a second language is highly important to you then you should opt for a language immersion school. IT is a wonderful school, but language is not it's primary goal and spotty classes here or there are pretty useless. I would say that most of us who willingly chose IT (as opposed to those families where this was the only spot available), did not see language as "make or break" in our decision process. If language is super important to you I think you'll be frustrated.

Another parent to whom language isn't critical. We chose IT for quality teaching, not for language instruction. We turned down a language immersion school, in fact, because we were concerned about quality instruction (the hows of pedagogy and instruction) over a certain language (the what of curriculum). We would much rather have a regular PE, music, art, or dance program (students currently have dance class with fabulous specials teachers 1x/week as well as art 1x/week, too) than 45 minutes once/week where students learn say basic words in Spanish or French (or whatever is decided upon in a forthcoming language survey). Language seems to be a concern of parents of older students (1st - 3rd grade), especially, and I like how the administration is responsive to that. The new influx of students (and therefore educational dollars) will open up some new possibilities this year. But IT will never be a language-focused school. Please don't accept your spot if that's what you want it to become.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am an IT parent and honestly I'm not passionate about having language in school unless it's immersion. My other top school choice was Haynes and I was not too concerned about the lack of language there either. I know many parents feel strongly about it and that's a wonder of charters vs DCPS. However, I know that IT does want to eventually hire a language teacher (maybe as early as next year). I'm more of an "all or nothing" on this one. I'd rather have a music teacher than an hour here or an hour there of language instruction. If it were important to me, I would consider supplementing with summer/weekend programs. Good luck.

I could have written this myself. I think if a second language is highly important to you then you should opt for a language immersion school. IT is a wonderful school, but language is not it's primary goal and spotty classes here or there are pretty useless. I would say that most of us who willingly chose IT (as opposed to those families where this was the only spot available), did not see language as "make or break" in our decision process. If language is super important to you I think you'll be frustrated.

I am the PP you quoted. Thanks for that. I thought that I was going to be shamed. I do know that a language component is pretty important to many IT parents. That is just about the only thing I usually disagree about. I took Spanish elective from 5th grade - college and while I know how to conjugate a verb and know a lot of words. I'm not sure if that was the best way to spend all those years. I rather would have taken computer courses.

[Anonymous]

I've got a decent waitlist spot and was wondering the same thing. I understand the position for those of you for whom langauge isn't important, but it's not nearly as a simple as saying: "take a spot at a school that has an immersion program if foreign language exposure is of important to you." The more than 600 students on the LAMB waitlist, the more than 400 students on Mundo Verde's waitlist, and Stokes lack of a PS lottery b/c all of the PS3 will be filled with siblings reflect the problem. There simply aren't enougth slots to address the interest. To be honest, my child has pretty horrible waitlist numbers at all of the immersion schools to which I applied.

That said, it is my sense (having visited and investigated many schools in the last few months) that most highly regarded schools have some sort of language program -- even if it's only twice a week in the primary years, with increasing exposure through 5th grade. It seems to me that folks have generally accepted the idea that early exposure to foreign language is important. Is it reasonable to worry that if I don't supplement, when my child arrives arrives at junior high with kids who've had regular exposure (outside of the immersion context) since they were 3, she'll be behind?

Also, in the event that IT reaches it's goal of providing PS-8, I assume the plan must be, at the very least, to add language instruction for the 6th through 8th graders.....

And, I'm hoping that as IT grows, the choice won't be between a music teacher and a language teacher, but that both will be possible. Of course, I'm saying this as an outsider looking in and, admittedly, don't know details about the school's (and the current parents') current hopes and challenges.

I really like IT and am hoping to get a spot -- the lack of a language is, from my perspective, one of it's few weaknesses.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've got a decent waitlist spot and was wondering the same thing. I understand the position for those of you for whom langauge isn't important, but it's not nearly as a simple as saying: "take a spot at a school that has an immersion program if foreign language exposure is of important to you." The more than 600 students on the LAMB waitlist, the more than 400 students on Mundo Verde's waitlist, and Stokes lack of a PS lottery b/c all of the PS3 will be filled with siblings reflect the problem. There simply aren't enougth slots to address the interest. To be honest, my child has pretty horrible waitlist numbers at all of the immersion schools to which I applied.

That said, it is my sense (having visited and investigated many schools in the last few months) that most highly regarded schools have some sort of language program -- even if it's only twice a week in the primary years, with increasing exposure through 5th grade. It seems to me that folks have generally accepted the idea that early exposure to foreign language is important. Is it reasonable to worry that if I don't supplement, when my child arrives arrives at junior high with kids who've had regular exposure (outside of the immersion context) since they were 3, she'll be behind?Also, in the event that IT reaches it's goal of providing PS-8, I assume the plan must be, at the very least, to add language instruction for the 6th through 8th graders.....

And, I'm hoping that as IT grows, the choice won't be between a music teacher and a language teacher, but that both will be possible. Of course, I'm saying this as an outsider looking in and, admittedly, don't know details about the school's (and the current parents') current hopes and challenges.

I really like IT and am hoping to get a spot -- the lack of a language is, from my perspective, one of it's few weaknesses.

First, I am really glad you are considering IT. It's a great community. In the end however, I hope that you secure a spot that is the best fit for your child--whatever that may be. With regard to the bolded above---I'm one of those folks that just don't buy the notion that if your child doesn't learn a language from the age of 3 years up they will be so far behind in learning a second language that they can't catch up. I didn't start learning a second language until high school and I aced it straight through college. I think it's certainly a benefit and a good thing in the early years, but l don't believe if a child isn't in a language immersion program that they will somehow end up at a deficit. I could be wrong, but time will tell.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've got a decent waitlist spot and was wondering the same thing. I understand the position for those of you for whom langauge isn't important, but it's not nearly as a simple as saying: "take a spot at a school that has an immersion program if foreign language exposure is of important to you." The more than 600 students on the LAMB waitlist, the more than 400 students on Mundo Verde's waitlist, and Stokes lack of a PS lottery b/c all of the PS3 will be filled with siblings reflect the problem. There simply aren't enougth slots to address the interest. To be honest, my child has pretty horrible waitlist numbers at all of the immersion schools to which I applied.

That said, it is my sense (having visited and investigated many schools in the last few months) that most highly regarded schools have some sort of language program -- even if it's only twice a week in the primary years, with increasing exposure through 5th grade. It seems to me that folks have generally accepted the idea that early exposure to foreign language is important. Is it reasonable to worry that if I don't supplement, when my child arrives arrives at junior high with kids who've had regular exposure (outside of the immersion context) since they were 3, she'll be behind?Also, in the event that IT reaches it's goal of providing PS-8, I assume the plan must be, at the very least, to add language instruction for the 6th through 8th graders.....

And, I'm hoping that as IT grows, the choice won't be between a music teacher and a language teacher, but that both will be possible. Of course, I'm saying this as an outsider looking in and, admittedly, don't know details about the school's (and the current parents') current hopes and challenges.

I really like IT and am hoping to get a spot -- the lack of a language is, from my perspective, one of it's few weaknesses.

First, I am really glad you are considering IT. It's a great community. In the end however, I hope that you secure a spot that is the best fit for your child--whatever that may be. With regard to the bolded above---I'm one of those folks that just don't buy the notion that if your child doesn't learn a language from the age of 3 years up they will be so far behind in learning a second language that they can't catch up. I didn't start learning a second language until high school and I aced it straight through college. I think it's certainly a benefit and a good thing in the early years, but l don't believe if a child isn't in a language immersion program that they will somehow end up at a deficit. I could be wrong, but time will tell.

NP, I agree overall with your point and had a similar experience. However, I am not truly bilingual/biliterate. I think most kids will do well learning a new language starting in middle or high school and can become proficient/conversational by college. If you want your child to be bilingual, that is write, read and speak fluently in another language, language immersion (home and/or school) at an early age is the only option as most people do not have the natural aptitude to achieve this level of mastery at an older age. There is plenty of data/research to back this up. OP needs to decide what they are looking for.

[Anonymous]

IT parent here. Language is important to me, and I disagree that introducing language is pointless, even if it is only a few times a week and they're not going to become fluent.

At the last parent's meeting, Zoe said they're planning to do a parent survey on languages soon. Depending on the budget next year, they may bring in a language teacher in addition to continuing art & dance or a PE class.

[Anonymous]

Another IT parent eager for language instruction. Our choice for IT was its teaching philosophy, a tough and right decision for our DC. At the same time, we are supplementing with lessons and camp, just as we would if DC were interested in singing or learning an instrument.

Choose what's best for your DC; you'll figure out the rest.

[Anonymous]

I'm an IT parent and would have chewed off my right arm to get DC into a Spanish immersion charter. It didn't happen for us and IT was our best option.

We have found IT to be an amazing school and there have been numerous occasions where I've thought how, in the end, IT really is turning out to be the best place for DC. I still have pangs of wishing immersion worked out for us, but it didn't, and DC is nevertheless getting a great education. I'm also encouraged that the administration is prioritizing language instruction as soon as it's feasible, so at least DC will get some early exposure.

[Anonymous]

I am another IT parent. I thought language immersion was my highest priority. We didn't get into of the most well-regarded immersion programs though -- competition is tough as folks upthread say.

So we went to IT because we were impressed at the info sessions (and by the Center's reputation). You know what? My priorities have shifted over the course of the year. I realized how important a school's education philosophy is--and I like IT's.

However, if language is your top priority, check out Powell, Marie Reed, Bethune, etc. These schools are easier to get into than the immersion schools mentioned upthread.

So we did the afterschool Spanish program and books and such at home. And we're happy they're doing the parent survey on what language folks would like to see the school offer. The school is adding specials bit by bit. It has an arts integration approach, too, of course, but started the year without specials. Now we have Dance & Movement and Art as specials. I'm hopeful language will be added next year or the year after at the latest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am another IT parent. I thought language immersion was my highest priority. We didn't get into of the most well-regarded immersion programs though -- competition is tough as folks upthread say.

So we went to IT because we were impressed at the info sessions (and by the Center's reputation). You know what? My priorities have shifted over the course of the year. I realized how important a school's education philosophy is--and I like IT's.

However, if language is your top priority, check out Powell, Marie Reed, Bethune, etc. These schools are easier to get into than the immersion schools mentioned upthread.

So we did the afterschool Spanish program and books and such at home. And we're happy they're doing the parent survey on what language folks would like to see the school offer. The school is adding specials bit by bit. It has an arts integration approach, too, of course, but started the year without specials. Now we have Dance & Movement and Art as specials. I'm hopeful language will be added next year or the year after at the latest.

+1000 this was perfectly put.