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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I've got a decent waitlist spot and was wondering the same thing. I understand the position for those of you for whom langauge isn't important, but it's not nearly as a simple as saying:  "take a spot at a school that has an immersion program if foreign language exposure is of important to you." The more than 600 students on the LAMB waitlist, the more than 400 students on Mundo Verde's waitlist, and Stokes lack of a PS lottery b/c all of the PS3 will be filled with siblings reflect the problem. There simply aren't enougth slots to address the interest. To be honest, my child has pretty horrible waitlist numbers at all of the immersion schools to which I applied.

That said, it is my sense (having visited and investigated many schools in the last few months) that most highly regarded schools have some sort of language program -- even if it's only twice a week in the primary years, with increasing exposure through 5th grade. [b]It seems to me that folks have generally accepted the idea that early exposure to foreign language is important. Is it reasonable to worry that if I don't supplement, when my child arrives arrives at junior high with kids who've had regular exposure (outside of the immersion context) since they were 3, she'll be behind?[/b]Also, in the event that IT reaches it's goal of providing PS-8, I assume the plan must be, at the very least, to add language instruction for the 6th through 8th graders.....

And, I'm hoping that as IT grows, the choice won't be between a music teacher and a language teacher, but that both will be possible. Of course, I'm saying this as an outsider looking in and, admittedly, don't know details about the school's (and the current parents') current hopes and challenges.

I really like IT and am hoping to get a spot -- the lack of a language is, from my perspective, one of it's few weaknesses.[/quote]

First, I am really glad you are considering IT.  It's a great community.  In the end however, I hope that you secure a spot that is the best fit for your child--whatever that may be.  With regard to the bolded above---I'm one of those folks that just don't buy the notion that if your child doesn't learn a language from the age of 3 years up they will be so far behind in learning a second language that they can't catch up.  I didn't start learning a second language until high school and I aced it straight through college. I think it's certainly a benefit and a good thing in the early years, but l don't believe if a child isn't in a language immersion program that they will somehow end up at a deficit.  I could be wrong, but time will tell.[/quote]

NP, I agree overall with your point and had a similar experience.  However, I am not truly bilingual/biliterate.  I think most kids will do well learning a new language starting in middle or high school and can become proficient/conversational by college.  If you want your child to be bilingual, that is write, read and speak fluently in another language, language [b]immersion [/b](home and/or school) at an early age is the only option as most people do not have the natural aptitude to achieve this level of mastery at an older age.  There is plenty of data/research to back this up.  OP needs to decide what they are looking for.  [/quote]

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