Struggling with whether to keep DC in weekend language school

[Anonymous]

I wouldn’t abandon the classes but I would actually make a more committed effort to immerse in the language because language fluency really has to be a wrap around process.

Can you read simple picture books in it together? Cartoons in the language? Play dates with kids who speak it? Plan a trip to the home country? Attend more cultural activities? Try to learn more yourself if not fluent?

Classes can feel like just checking a box and I’m sure your child senses your mixed feelings. I think this is done best when it’s really a family project.

[Anonymous]

Do you know about Concordia language camps? They are quasi-immersion (class and meals and organized activities are immersion though kids tend to speak in English when on their own). The setting is cabins on a lake with lots of traditional camp activities- swimming, arts & crafts, etc all in target language. My DD started after 3rd grade. They also have family camps, which is likely more appropriate for your son’s age and may also jog your memory re some vocab. My DD has loved her years there.

[Anonymous]

Your child can absolutely decide to learn the language later! You said the chance is practically zero that they can, but that assumes they don’t care enough to try. And they might not. But they certainly can.

I learned Russian in my 20’s well enough to give a lecture and read Anna Karenina in the original (slowly and painfully, but I did it). The key is immersion. It isn’t easy, and you have to be willing to be totally uncomfortable and out of your depth because you can’t communicate without deep struggle. But put yourself in that position and you’ll learn quickly.

[Anonymous]

What about hiring a nanny or au pair who speaks the language? My 7 yo is learning a language that neither parent speaks and she's improved a ton by having an au pair speak with her in that language. Just normal stuff, like getting ready for school or playing games after school, is enough to really improve fluency.

[Anonymous]

My recommendation would be to keep with it. We have found that our experiences vary greatly with the teacher that’s teaching; some are meh, and some goes above and beyond to make sure the kids are having fun/learning and the parents are connected. Do they have afterschool homework club? Or are there other schools in the area available with a different approach/curriculum, or maybe an online tutoring group to give yourself some flexibility? Your kid may not progress as fast as others, but even a few words a week is better than nothing at all.

My kids also use Duolingo to make it more fun, help them build up confidence and the repetition helps drill basic vocabulary.

[Anonymous]

Is the language Chinese? I only ask because I have friends that are in various weekend schools in our area. They do say they vary greatly and some are extremely hard. One friend has said it is harder than regular school and takes hours to complete hw a day.

Is there a possibility of doing a not as rigorous school? For certain languages it would be too hard to pick up at an older age.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You haven't said anything about how your DC feels. Does DC enjoy it? Hate it? Does DC really have to do all the homework?

OP here. I meant to note that DC does not enjoy it. To be clear, they tolerate it just fine and it's not a huge struggle to get them to do the homework and attend, and I would go so far as to say that they half-enjoy the quizzes and certain aspects of the language (mostly number-related), particularly if they get the answers right. However, there will be no tears shed (and in fact there would likely be some celebrating) if I tell them they're no longer going. I do wonder what message I would be sending if I disenrolled them.

I would keep at it. It's good to learn a foreign language starting from a young age. Even if they don't retain, their brain is being helped by learning it.

What language is it? Could you guys go on vacation to a country where it is spoken and enroll in immersive language school together?

[Anonymous]

Does she like it? Mine goes to weekend language school and as a result has to be choosy about which sports and other activities to join, since all of Saturday morning is blocked off every week. So far it is enjoyable and I am not having to force it, though.

[Anonymous]

We have done weekend school in a very difficult language since kids were in Kindergarten.

DD is 15 now and will finish the school entirely this year.

[Anonymous]

I would only force a child to do this if I was also able to take them on trips there in an immersive setting, let them watch lots of tv in the language, etc. As another PP said, it would be wraparound

[Anonymous]

I would stick with it at least a while longer. My kids did it and I had to work at it too, as I was longer fluent due to lack of practice. We spent a lot of time on it when they were young. In addition to class they heard the language from grandparents as well. They stopped in 6th grade because it just became too much with all the homework and driving and nagging. I am so glad we stuck with it that long though because it has given them a special closeness with their culture and their grandparents’ country and extended family that I don’t think they would have otherwise. They also made friends and have a cultural community of peers and adults that they don’t have at school. And learning another language at a young age has definitely helped them excel at their world
language at school. There are many studies showing the positive cognitive effects of bilingualism, so there are benefits even beyond cultural ones. It isn’t easy but is really worth it if you can manage it.

[Anonymous]

If it’s just weekend heritage language school with no other immersive experience (ie, you are 2nd+ generation and your parents are not involved), and the kid isn’t super interested, I don’t think it’s likely to result in much language growth.

I know it’s sad your child will not be able to understand the language the way you do, but time is limited, unfortunately. I tried to teach a heritage language to my kids also but there are too many competing priorities. I also don’t resonate with that dmv heritage language community—my parents would fit in there, not me—and so can’t say I miss that EC.