Please SOUND OFF if you think FCPS is in decline!

[Anonymous]

https://www.fcps.edu/academics/world-languages-immersion-programs

I am looking at the FCPS Immersion Program page. Chinese is not listed as being at any school in FCPS. THe page lists German, French, Spanish, Korean and Japanese.

So I am a bit confused.

[Anonymous]

Chinese is offered starting in Middle School

https://www.fcps.edu/academics/middle-school-academics-7-8/world-languages/chinese

A search on the internet shows

https://fairhilles.fcps.edu/academics/chinese-flesltc-program

The Foreign Language in the Elementary School/Language through Content (FLES/LTC) Program helps students learn a world language through Science and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics) integrated content. The program provides language learning opportunities to all students in an elementary school from grades K through 6th.

The goal of FLES/LTC is to develop students’ language proficiency and 21st-century skills by teaching World Languages through STEAM, with a strong emphasis on Science. Teachers use Project-Based Learning to help students learn another language while developing skills in all areas. Generally, students receive 60 minutes of language instruction per week. This model supports the five goal areas of the national standards for world language (communication, culture, connections, comparisons, and communities) and is aligned with the Virginia SOL for World Languages.

It lists one teacher but not what schools. So an hour of Chinese a week at some unidentified school(s).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:https://www.fcps.edu/academics/world-languages-immersion-programs

I am looking at the FCPS Immersion Program page. Chinese is not listed as being at any school in FCPS. THe page lists German, French, Spanish, Korean and Japanese.

So I am a bit confused.

It's not immersion. It's FLES, which entails some exposure that can help a kid take a full-year course earlier in middle school.

Some people complain, either because they don't like the language in question or they are just cranky. I was exposed to French in a FLES program in FCPS, continued with French in high school and was prepared to take upper-level French classes at an Ivy as a freshman.

https://www.fcps.edu/academics/foreign-language-elementary-school-fles-programs

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.fcps.edu/academics/world-languages-immersion-programs

I am looking at the FCPS Immersion Program page. Chinese is not listed as being at any school in FCPS. THe page lists German, French, Spanish, Korean and Japanese.

So I am a bit confused.

It's not immersion. It's FLES, which entails some exposure that can help a kid take a full-year course earlier in middle school.

Some people complain, either because they don't like the language in question or they are just cranky. I was exposed to French in a FLES program in FCPS, continued with French in high school and was prepared to take upper-level French classes at an Ivy as a freshman.

https://www.fcps.edu/academics/foreign-language-elementary-school-fles-programs

Thanks. The original post made it sound like the entire school was language immersion and not an hour a week. I have actually wondered why they have not added a Chinese language immersion program because it would be a good language to add.

[Anonymous]

Some people complain, either because they don't like the language in question or they are just cranky. I was exposed to French in a FLES program in FCPS, continued with French in high school and was prepared to take upper-level French classes at an Ivy as a freshman.

I, too, took upper level French courses in college--starting as a freshman. I ended up with two years of advanced French in college. It's been a long time, but, as I recall the last two courses were exclusively French lit. This included a term paper written in French. In fact, I'm pretty sure I recall writing a lengthy paper in French while I was in high school.

And, here's the difference: I did not start French until high school.

Same with DD--but, a different language. Four years in high school and advanced in college. Did not take in middle school because the language in question was not offered.

My point: FLES does not prepare you for a language.

Even kids in overseas DOD schools who have a foreign language equivalent of FLES in elementary, do not pick up the language unless they are living on the local economy and playing with the local kids. Those that live in military housing generally do not learn the language--unless the parents are native speakers or encourage it in some other way.

FLES does not help the kids that much. It's a "nice to have" class, but I'd rather see another class of music or art.

[Anonymous]

https://projects.newsday.com/databases/long-island/detained-immigrant-children-released-sponsors/?order=county_ASC&offset=0

Chart shows how many unaccompanied minors have been placed in counties--including Fairfax. Astounding. Over 500 in FY 2019 lone. Thousands over the last few years.

Feds need to give us money to educate these children. Think about it. Some elementary schools have little over five hundred kids. No wonder our funds are stretched out. And, it is not just the schools. This needs to be spread out more.

This is just the unaccompanied minors. It does not count the other undocumented kids that are coming here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Some people complain, either because they don't like the language in question or they are just cranky. I was exposed to French in a FLES program in FCPS, continued with French in high school and was prepared to take upper-level French classes at an Ivy as a freshman.

I, too, took upper level French courses in college--starting as a freshman. I ended up with two years of advanced French in college. It's been a long time, but, as I recall the last two courses were exclusively French lit. This included a term paper written in French. In fact, I'm pretty sure I recall writing a lengthy paper in French while I was in high school.

And, here's the difference: I did not start French until high school.

Same with DD--but, a different language. Four years in high school and advanced in college. Did not take in middle school because the language in question was not offered.

My point: FLES does not prepare you for a language.

Even kids in overseas DOD schools who have a foreign language equivalent of FLES in elementary, do not pick up the language unless they are living on the local economy and playing with the local kids. Those that live in military housing generally do not learn the language--unless the parents are native speakers or encourage it in some other way.

FLES does not help the kids that much. It's a "nice to have" class, but I'd rather see another class of music or art.

Just because you can acquire fluency with a language you start taking in high school does not mean that earlier exposure is not beneficial.

I was much happier with a FLES class than I would have been with an additional art class. YMMV.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At our FCPS elementary school, kids are forced to learn the Chinese language from grades 1-6, but proper sentence structure in English is glossed over. I would much rather my children learn how to write in English before they learn the solar system in Chinese!

WtF...are you serious? There administrators are definately mentally I'll.
Talk about faulty judgement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At our FCPS elementary school, kids are forced to learn the Chinese language from grades 1-6, but proper sentence structure in English is glossed over. I would much rather my children learn how to write in English before they learn the solar system in Chinese!

WtF...are you serious? There administrators are definately mentally I'll.
Talk about faulty judgement.

This is a joke, right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:https://www.fcps.edu/academics/world-languages-immersion-programs

I am looking at the FCPS Immersion Program page. Chinese is not listed as being at any school in FCPS. THe page lists German, French, Spanish, Korean and Japanese.

So I am a bit confused.

Shrevewood ES offers Chinese.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Long time Herndon resident here who would love to see this boundary change. I don't think the new school is funded yet, so no worries for you for a long time. But it's unfortunate for us.

Quick question: What exactly would the boundary change do for you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.fcps.edu/academics/world-languages-immersion-programs

I am looking at the FCPS Immersion Program page. Chinese is not listed as being at any school in FCPS. THe page lists German, French, Spanish, Korean and Japanese.

So I am a bit confused.

Shrevewood ES offers Chinese.

There may not be immersion, but Chinese is FLES at Oak Hill.

[Anonymous]

Based on the last 4 months, this thread needs to be revitalized.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Some people complain, either because they don't like the language in question or they are just cranky. I was exposed to French in a FLES program in FCPS, continued with French in high school and was prepared to take upper-level French classes at an Ivy as a freshman.

I, too, took upper level French courses in college--starting as a freshman. I ended up with two years of advanced French in college. It's been a long time, but, as I recall the last two courses were exclusively French lit. This included a term paper written in French. In fact, I'm pretty sure I recall writing a lengthy paper in French while I was in high school.

And, here's the difference: I did not start French until high school.

Same with DD--but, a different language. Four years in high school and advanced in college. Did not take in middle school because the language in question was not offered.

My point: FLES does not prepare you for a language.

Even kids in overseas DOD schools who have a foreign language equivalent of FLES in elementary, do not pick up the language unless they are living on the local economy and playing with the local kids. Those that live in military housing generally do not learn the language--unless the parents are native speakers or encourage it in some other way.

FLES does not help the kids that much. It's a "nice to have" class, but I'd rather see another class of music or art.

Just because you can acquire fluency with a language you start taking in high school does not mean that earlier exposure is not beneficial.

I was much happier with a FLES class than I would have been with an additional art class. YMMV.

DP. I agree that starting a language earlier is better, but FLES in my kids' ES was totally useless.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it just me or does it seem like the education from FCPS is nowhere near as good as it was 20 years ago? Misused funds, children swept under the rug, principals who lie...

Sound off!

Sorry, but I worked in FCPS 20 years ago and it was exactly the same. Fact is, FCPS is not a world class school system, and in my experience it never was. That's just propaganda.