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[quote=Anonymous]This resonates with me.  We plan to stay at YY through at least 5th or 6th grade (i.e., 7 or 8 years; maybe 9 for DC2 if PS-3 really happens next year) unless the school turns into a freaking disaster or a very poor fit at the upper elementary level (neither of which seems likely at this point).
[quote=Anonymous]My child was in a bilingual immersion program for 8 years.  At the end of those 8 years he can read and comprehend at grade level in the other language.  He can hear an essay read by an author in the other language and laugh appreciately at the jokes that pass completely over my head.  He can learn math, social studies, geography, history, whatever, in the other language and get the concepts completely.

Is he fully biliterate and bilingual, as if he was born and raised outside the U.S.?  No, the vocabulary for every day objects is not there, and no one in our family speaks the other language at home.  So, no, after even 8 years, it wasn't enough for that level of fluency.  However, his language skills are so much better than mine (I took the same language for 8 years, only I started at age 14) and his accent is almost native.

I think the best part is that his English skills are excellent, much better than the grade-level 2nd language skills.  All other subjects, math and science, etc., are also fine.  Social studies and geography are so much more enhanced by the presence of two cultures presented at the same time.

So I feel we got a great boost with no downsides, really.  But if we had left after even 5 years, I don't think there would have been much benefit.  You really have to sow the seeds and then wait for years for the harvest.  You cannot rush the process.  Parents who are upset that their kids haven't "flowered" after a couple of years of instruction in the 2nd language are expecting too much too early.  [/quote][/quote]

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