Why wouldn't you pick immersion?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wondering for those of you who aren't interested in language immersion do you already speak a second language at home or are you not involved really internationally?

Totally involved internationally, eat at Taco Bell at least once a week. Yo quiero and all!



Is that the answer you're looking for?

I have a passport, does that count as being involved internationally? I've even used it!

I'll one up you. I have visited the Epcot Center and ate at the ethnic food restaurants so that little Billy could have an immersion experience.

Repeat after me, Billy: "Lo Mein"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think people pick immersion because they like the idea of being able to say, "My kid speaks two languages!" It makes their kids sound smarter than your kid .

I have yet to meet an immersion kid (from monolingual family) that actually speaks another language. Sure they can say many words and a few sentences but they aren't really fluent. When I look at the scores (specifically advanced and at LAMB and YY) I don't see kids excelling in the basics. My fear is that the language exposure is actually limiting them. I'm even looking at white only (aka non FARM) and not impressed. So I don't think you can get STEM at immersion (at least not in DC). And yes I have seen the studies (no need for links).

You realize you are talking about STEM for elementary school. My DC who is really good at math is happy at Yu Ying and we don't feel the need to push or accelerate math in 2nd grade. My brother was a math prodigy who skipped high school to attend Johns Hopkins. We are also happy with his progress in English and Mandarin both of which he tests above grade level although he has a tutor for Mandarin. It's elementary school, they learn to read and write.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wondering for those of you who aren't interested in language immersion do you already speak a second language at home or are you not involved really internationally?

Totally involved internationally, eat at Taco Bell at least once a week. Yo quiero and all!



Is that the answer you're looking for?

I have a passport, does that count as being involved internationally? I've even used it!

I eat at an Indian food truck like, every week!

I eat cava and chipotle!

[Anonymous]

Because we are IB for Hearst and like the option of walking to school. We drove for daycare and preschool and after having kids spend 45-60 min roundtrip in the car for that, it just didn't seem like a good idea anymore.

That time now is spent playing and hanging out.

[Anonymous]

No one on this thread is talking about Cleveland Elementary, that has immersion and is center-city so is pretty convenient for many.

[Anonymous]

Because we value other things more highly, including convenience/commute, academic strength, and other characteristics. Also, my husband speaks four languages, all of which he learned from high school on. A good friend speaks five--again, no immersion. I'm not convinced that immersion is the best way to acquire language skills. Certainly, it's not the only way.

[Anonymous]

I wanted the convenience of our good neighborhood school. A secondary consideration was my inability to support at home since DH and I are monolingual. But mostly it was the convenience of having a school I like one block away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wondering for those of you who aren't interested in language immersion do you already speak a second language at home or are you not involved really internationally?

Totally involved internationally, eat at Taco Bell at least once a week. Yo quiero and all!



Is that the answer you're looking for?

I have a passport, does that count as being involved internationally? I've even used it!

I eat at an Indian food truck like, every week!

I eat cava and chipotle!

You only qualify if you have eaten at both, on the same day. Otherwise, Epcot up thread has you beat for being more internationally involved.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The only reason I wouldn't choose immersion is if my child were language delayed.

+1 otherwise, it is such a wonderful gift to give your child.

We didn't pick immersion because we don't really love our child that much.

[Anonymous]

We speak two heritage languages at home and DS is already fluent in them. We intend to continue. This frees us from the need to include language instruction into our school requirements since none of the immersion school teach the languages we plan to enforce. We are looking for solid, rigorous academic instruction in the basics plus convenient location. Language study at school is a non-factor for us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think people pick immersion because they like the idea of being able to say, "My kid speaks two languages!" It makes their kids sound smarter than your kid .

I have yet to meet an immersion kid (from monolingual family) that actually speaks another language. Sure they can say many words and a few sentences but they aren't really fluent. When I look at the scores (specifically advanced and at LAMB and YY) I don't see kids excelling in the basics. My fear is that the language exposure is actually limiting them. I'm even looking at white only (aka non FARM) and not impressed. So I don't think you can get STEM at immersion (at least not in DC). And yes I have seen the studies (no need for links).

"No need for links," or facts for that matter. You sound willfully ignorant.

How so? Let me elaborate. All of the "studies" I have seen have no bearing on DC kids. Any way you cut it, immersion in DC (save Oyster) is not all it's cracked up to be. More important to teach reading, math and science.

I am not going to waste my time looking up YY, LAMB, and MV 's test scores and comparing them to oyster because (1) Oyster Adams does not teach grammar to their elementary students. I think grammar is important, especially when learning a language, especially if you learned Spanish at home from your parents. (2) I would not put my kid in a school where yelling from teacher is condoned (3) I hate Woodley Park. Before you say I can't afford it, I can, and I used to live there until I sold my house for a ton of money and bought in a nicer neighborhood.

These are my choices, which is why I wouldn't and never did try to enroll my kid at Oyster. I am not trying to disparage the school, but Oyster has lots of problems (do a search) which even necessitated an overhaul and a new principal. And again, it's never okay to yell at a child (also do a search on DCUM) especially if you're in a position of power such as a teacher or librarian.

And if you don't want immersion, don't bother with it! There are tons of people who want a spot at these schools. I think it's great that you're not going with the conventional wisdom and leaving more spots for those of us who care.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think people pick immersion because they like the idea of being able to say, "My kid speaks two languages!" It makes their kids sound smarter than your kid .

I have yet to meet an immersion kid (from monolingual family) that actually speaks another language. Sure they can say many words and a few sentences but they aren't really fluent. When I look at the scores (specifically advanced and at LAMB and YY) I don't see kids excelling in the basics. My fear is that the language exposure is actually limiting them. I'm even looking at white only (aka non FARM) and not impressed. So I don't think you can get STEM at immersion (at least not in DC). And yes I have seen the studies (no need for links).

"No need for links," or facts for that matter. You sound willfully ignorant.

How so? Let me elaborate. All of the "studies" I have seen have no bearing on DC kids. Any way you cut it, immersion in DC (save Oyster) is not all it's cracked up to be. More important to teach reading, math and science.

I am not going to waste my time looking up YY, LAMB, and MV 's test scores and comparing them to oyster because (1) Oyster Adams does not teach grammar to their elementary students. I think grammar is important, especially when learning a language, especially if you learned Spanish at home from your parents. (2) I would not put my kid in a school where yelling from teacher is condoned (3) I hate Woodley Park. Before you say I can't afford it, I can, and I used to live there until I sold my house for a ton of money and bought in a nicer neighborhood.

These are my choices, which is why I wouldn't and never did try to enroll my kid at Oyster. I am not trying to disparage the school, but Oyster has lots of problems (do a search) which even necessitated an overhaul and a new principal. And again, it's never okay to yell at a child (also do a search on DCUM) especially if you're in a position of power such as a teacher or librarian.

And if you don't want immersion, don't bother with it! There are tons of people who want a spot at these schools. I think it's great that you're not going with the conventional wisdom and leaving more spots for those of us who care.

“I am not trying to disparage the school, but…” Yes, I can tell that you’re not trying to disparage Oyster—Lol! People on DCUM LOVE to hate Oyster; and this post is "exhibit A." I guess that's the price Oyster must pay for being the oldest and most successful dual immersion public school in DC (with the best location, to boot). Btw, my child receives grammar instruction (in elementary school) at Oyster. My child has also never been yelled at by a teacher or the librarian. Oyster’s librarian is better than any librarian in a dual immersion school in the DC Metro. Many of these charters don’t even have a full-time, certified librarian (who is also bilingual). However, you wouldn’t know any of this because you receive all of your info. about Oyster from DCUM (a lot of anonymous posters with hidden axes to grind).

Btw, I'll save you the trouble--Oyster has higher test scores than ALL of the immersion schools in DC. Feel free to look that fact up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think people pick immersion because they like the idea of being able to say, "My kid speaks two languages!" It makes their kids sound smarter than your kid .

I have yet to meet an immersion kid (from monolingual family) that actually speaks another language. Sure they can say many words and a few sentences but they aren't really fluent. When I look at the scores (specifically advanced and at LAMB and YY) I don't see kids excelling in the basics. My fear is that the language exposure is actually limiting them. I'm even looking at white only (aka non FARM) and not impressed. So I don't think you can get STEM at immersion (at least not in DC). And yes I have seen the studies (no need for links).

"No need for links," or facts for that matter. You sound willfully ignorant.

How so? Let me elaborate. All of the "studies" I have seen have no bearing on DC kids. Any way you cut it, immersion in DC (save Oyster) is not all it's cracked up to be. More important to teach reading, math and science.

I am not going to waste my time looking up YY, LAMB, and MV 's test scores and comparing them to oyster because (1) Oyster Adams does not teach grammar to their elementary students. I think grammar is important, especially when learning a language, especially if you learned Spanish at home from your parents. (2) I would not put my kid in a school where yelling from teacher is condoned (3) I hate Woodley Park. Before you say I can't afford it, I can, and I used to live there until I sold my house for a ton of money and bought in a nicer neighborhood.

These are my choices, which is why I wouldn't and never did try to enroll my kid at Oyster. I am not trying to disparage the school, but Oyster has lots of problems (do a search) which even necessitated an overhaul and a new principal. And again, it's never okay to yell at a child (also do a search on DCUM) especially if you're in a position of power such as a teacher or librarian.

And if you don't want immersion, don't bother with it! There are tons of people who want a spot at these schools. I think it's great that you're not going with the conventional wisdom and leaving more spots for those of us who care.

Ha--you sold your house in Woodley Park, so that you could play the lottery and put your child in a charter?!? You must be stupid, crazy or both! Admit it: You have never lived in Woodley Park because you can't afford it. However, lying about selling your Woodley Park house "for a ton of money" and buying in a nicer neighborhood is certainly free.

[Anonymous]

Because we live 5 blocks from our great neighborhood school. I think immersion is awesome and I would choose it if it was so near by.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't pick immersion because I want schools to focus on math & science. I know a few people who moved from immersion to non-immersion because the math instruction, especially in the higher elementary grades, was weak.