How is Kent Gardens if you opt out of French Immersion

[Anonymous]

10:29, I agree with the benefit of learning a second language. But when it comes at the expense of 30 kids in a classroom, or teacher COLAs, or a not-so-great math or science curriculum, I believe that these other areas have a higher funding priority than language immersion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In most of the developed world, learning another language is part of the school curriculum from the early years.

source?

[Anonymous]

I thought that was common knowledge, but here is more detail re the E.U.

According to a 2004-2006 European Commission action plan by the Commission of the European Communities, “the ability to understand and communicate in other languages is a basic skill for all European citizens.” (See "The Importance of Foreign Language Education" for more on this.) For this reason, European countries have adopted systems of language education that promote proficiency in many languages.

These systems work primarily by beginning foreign language education at young ages, offering varied languages taught by qualified instructors, and applying distinct standards for language education and proficiency.

Perhaps the most applauded feature of Europe’s foreign language education programs is that they begin language education early. In nearly all European countries, according to the 2008 report, "Key data on teaching languages at school in Europe," students are expected to begin foreign language instruction in primary school. Ireland is an exception, where foreign language is not a compulsory subject at any level. Irish students do, however, learn two languages in school: Irish and English, neither of which is considered a foreign language. Students in Belgium and Spain are often provided foreign language instruction at the pre-primary level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids don't go to KG and are not in an immersion program, and we don't speak a word of French in our house, so I am not defending KG or their particular immersion program, but I still think it's really sad to read how many of you just see NO value in children learning a second language! In most of the developed world, learning another language is part of the school curriculum from the early years. Only in the US do we still fail to see the importance of it and view it as an "extra" rather than an essential component of education.

It's shocking, frankly, that so many people still don't understand that the benefits go far beyond just being able to communicate with other speakers of that language. Learning a second language has tremendous all-around benefits for the brain, especially for children. Putting aside the great value of exposing children to another culture, children who learn to speak two languages have better memories, can focus better on other school subjects, perform better in math, learn additional languages much more easily, have less age-related mental decline when they are older, and so on. Learning a second language at an early age gives kids big cognitive advantages that transfer to many other areas of their lives, both in school and beyond. So for anyone who thinks it's a silly waste of time for children to learn French, do some research please before you advocate getting rid of the language programs in FCPS.

I so agree with you. It's too bad intensive foreign language from a young age is not a school requirement. DS is in an immersion school in Arlington and it's been valuable on so many levels. I'm a professional who never has any use for the math and science I had to learn in school (other than basic arithmetic) but I use my languages daily, mostly outside of work (although they've come in handy as a lawyer as well). All around us in this area is the opportunity to use foreign languages. Americans (and I'm a native-born American) have a horrible attitude about foreign language study and learning about other cultures. It shocks me that this attitude exists in the most "educated" and affluent parts of the DC area.

[Anonymous]

Read all about KGES at www.peelbacktheapple.blogspot.com

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Read all about KGES at www.peelbacktheapple.blogspot.com

and read all about spinning with statistics in this thread:

http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/92854.page

[Anonymous]

12:40 is giving us a valuable warning. I mean, just last Thursday, one of the 5th grade teachers had her car broken into with $1,500 of damage. I won't even go into the roving gangs that just leave school at will, terrorizing the greater McLean community.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:12:40 is giving us a valuable warning. I mean, just last Thursday, one of the 5th grade teachers had her car broken into with $1,500 of damage. I won't even go into the roving gangs that just leave school at will, terrorizing the greater McLean community.

Did you hear about the new gang at Langley? A neighbor told me about some sort of attack on girls that were wearing Uggs.