Question about foreign language instruction at Sidwell Friends

[back_in_dc]

Hi there! I'm hoping maybe one or two Sidwell parents might see this and answer. Can you tell me what language studies are like at Sidwell? Both my kids are in a language immersion school and consequently are bilingual. I don't want them to lose that, but we may be looking to transfer them to a new school for academic reasons next year. How intensely does Sidwell emphasize foreign language? Is it just a class like every other class, or is additional emphasis placed on language studies? Many thanks in advance!

[Anonymous]

Age of the kids?

And, start by asking the school?

[Anonymous]

You might want to post in the private school forum where more parents of Sidwell kids might be looking.

[Anonymous]

What grade? I toured the lower school and liked everything I saw EXCEPT the Spanish class. It was terrible. Old fashioned, repeat after the teacher verb conjugations which have been out of style for 20 years in language pedagogy. The kids were asleep.

I would not transfer an immersion student into a program like that. If you don't have the language at home, he/she will surely lose it.

I can't speak to the upper school - never toured there.

[Anonymous]

Washington Intl School will be the only private school that would be similar to an immersion program.

[Anonymous]

In our recent experience with Sidwell MS and US, language weakest part of curriculum/weakest teachers. But if kid is bilingual, not going to be able to be supported anywhere before high school except somewhere like WIS. Or should start a third language, and try to keep up the second outside school.

[Anonymous]

Foreign language instruction is Sidwell's greatest weakness -- and the administration is totally uninterested in addressing it.

[Anonymous]

I understand there's a new Spanish teacher this year un the lower school.

[Anonymous]

I hope that wiill improve the LS program, but MS and US curriculum and instruction continue to be deficient.

[Anonymous]

Other than a school like WIS, I doubt if there is any deep immersion at any private. If looked at Whitman's language program which is quite impressive. I don't know any private that offers Russian and Japanese as Whitman does.

[Anonymous]

back_in_dc wrote:Hi there! I'm hoping maybe one or two Sidwell parents might see this and answer. Can you tell me what language studies are like at Sidwell? Both my kids are in a language immersion school and consequently are bilingual. I don't want them to lose that, but we may be looking to transfer them to a new school for academic reasons next year. How intensely does Sidwell emphasize foreign language? Is it just a class like every other class, or is additional emphasis placed on language studies? Many thanks in advance!

OP, I am a Sidwell parent. All lower school students go to Spanish class once per week. As a result, my children have learned to speak some pretty rudimentary Spanish, have correct accents, and are starting to notice the parallels between Spanish, French, and English languages. They enjoy the class and they're learning, so I'm happy with the program. It's definitely not immersion, so you'll be disappointed if that's what you want. Serious language study begins in the middle school, and it covers several different languages.

Language instruction is a hot topic at the school right now. Many parents want more foreign language instruction. The school defined one of its long range goals as increasing the foreign language and global involvement parts of the curriculum, and the administration is actively working toward that goal. However, this creates pressure, because adding more foreign language may result in less time for other programs. Should students spend more time in Spanish class, but less time at outdoor recess? More Spanish but less Art? The school is trying to "grow the pie," but there are only a limited number of slices available, so people ultimately may need to make hard choices. One thing I like about the lower school is that it has involved all parents in the discussion about how to make these decisions and implement these goals.

I hope that helps you.

[Anonymous]

I've heard Sidwell's Chinese program is excellent. Can any Sidwell parent confirm this? If we are admitted, we would definitely want this program.