tell me about language at Eaton

[Anonymous]

thinking about moving within NW to within Eaton's boundary. Current school has spanish and DC likes it a lot.

Eaton of course has Chinese - I understand once per week, plus a little extra emphasis.

You know, different people like different thinks, and quite honestly, I am not at all interested in Chinese. I think it's a complicated language and you're not going to pick up anything meaningful in once class per week, nor do I really care if DC picks up anything.

Yes, DC is not getting much in Spanish once per week, but in that case it's a slightly (ha) easier language to understand and pick up, and there are opportunities to use it. I like the idea of a language special, just not Chinese.

I would jump on this move if Eaton had Spanish. Any thoughts on Chinese at Eaton?

[Anonymous]

Language instruction one day per week in almost any language is largely window dressing, not real instruction. It's too bad they don't have the staffing to increase the number of classroom hours. Eaton last year added an administrative position, an assistant principal where there had been none before! Methinks the scarce dollars could have better spent on adding speciality teaching resource(s).

[Anonymous]

What about Oyster-Adams for Spanish? Boundaries abut each other.

[Anonymous]

There are a lot of good things at Eaton and as a school it has been a great experience. However, the language training is no more than an introduction at this point. If it is only a 2nd language you are interested in, Eaton is probably not your best bet, but otherwise it is a great school.

[Anonymous]

You're correct that kids at Eaton get 1 - 2 Chinese classes a week. They focus on language and culture. My daughter has been at Eaton for two years, and has learned enough to sing a few songs, exchange pleasantries and really impress waitstaff at Chinese restaurants, and catch a few words if she hears someone else's conversation. I don't think the limited words she has learned are particularly useful, but she is excited about learning a language and excited about learning about the world, which I think are totally the purpose. It's a positive, engaging environment and I think the chinese, however limited, adds to the kids' overall experience.

If you want your kid to have more exposure to the language, there are also after school classes - once or twice a week, I believe - for small groups. They are inexpensive and those kids seem to learn quite a bit more.

Overall, Eaton is a treasure of a small public school, and I hope that you enjoy.

[Anonymous]

Eaton parent here. I second the PPs---the Chinese classes at Eaton are not significant exposure to a second language in the way of a lot of other schools in DC, but Eaton is a wonderful school with a focus on world cultures. Each grade studies one country/region throughout the year as part of their curriculum. For example, the first graders last year focused on Kenya and did several field trips to the Sackler for African music and storytelling; an African dance teacher choreographed a dance performed by the entire first grade; there was a "Passport to Reading" exercise where the children would bring home books about Africa, etc. The second grade studied India---there was a field trip to the Ghandi institute, studies of Indian legends, the fourth grade studied Argentina, etc.

While I think the Chinese is interesting, I do wish they had exposure to a language that is easier to learn and practice in this area, such as Spanish.

However, no school has everything---and for me, the world cultures aspect and the great field trip itineraries make up for it. (Eaton's HSA funds a field trip coordinator position and the school takes real advantage of its city location and proximity to metro).

[Anonymous]

There is a different between FLES Models and Immersion. Eaton ES is autonomous and uses its own version that closely models FLES due to resources. Eaton has a full-time Technology and Math Resource Teacher...and 2 Reading Resource Teachers. The HSA is wonderful and supports positions to add "extras." Eaton has gone from 407 to 470 students in the past two years (adding close to 45 last year). When you go over 400, you get funding for an Asst Principal. Extra kids...means more teachers to evaluate and IMPACT is very intense. Eaton is a great school!

[Anonymous]

Go to Oyster Adams if you want Spanish Immersion.

[Anonymous]

Chinese at Eaton is exposure to get students interested in a second language. The school selected Chinese because Deal offers Chinese. If students are interested and/or excelling in Chinese, Eaton provides more for those that are "ready" during their enrichment block (opportunities for converstational Chinese). One of my children selected Robotics and LOVED it...the other was part of the librarian's weekly "Book Club" and read content challenging books. Eaton is trying really hard to provide many opportunities for its diverse student population.

[Anonymous]

The Chinese Government provides a teacher for the project as well as funds for books and other activities.

You can't count on DCPS to provide language instruction for your student in elementary school or even middle school. Even if they fund you one year, you can easily lose it the next.

Chinese is essentially "free."

[Anonymous]

Do any DCPS elementary or middle schools have multiple languages that they offer? Or is that too much burden?

[Anonymous]

Shepherd has French & Spanish, I think down to 1 to 2 hours a week

Deal has French, Spanish, Chinese

Hardy has French, Spanish

Latin has Latin, and in 8th, French or Chinese