Reply to Does anyone have language immersion regrets?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I always find it interesting that all the families who aren’t native speakers are confident that their kids speak “tons” of the target language. How are you confident of this?  How do you know your preschooler is “fluent”? [/quote]

This attitude is so tiresome.  Of course kids in immersion aren't perfectly fluent (especially before age 10!); just like many people with second languages aren't perfect in the second language.  I bet compared to before, the child does know 'tons' of the language.  The point is to start down the road to fluency - some will get there sooner than others - thus teaching kids an important life skill in this shrinking world and potentially opening up more opportunities down the road.  My DS, while probably not a perfect Spanish speaker, appears to communicate effectively with other Spanish speakers, and he's only 8 - I have enough knowledge of Spanish to feel confident about this.  I imagine it will get even better as time goes on.  Another perk is that it provides extra challenge at school.

It's fine if you don't prioritize second languages - maybe your kid does math club, or a sport, or plays an instrument.  I doubt they will have achieved perfection in those skills by age 10, but that doesn't mean there isn't value.[/quote]

+1. If we moved for a few years to Mexico or Spain or wherever, and we put our kids in the local schools, no one would say how terrible that is for our kids because we have no intention of living in Mexico, Spain, et al for the rest of our lives.  People would say, "Oh what a great experience for them." [/quote]

What you’re conveniently forgetting is that you’re not contributing anything back to the community. All you gringos with a few years of Spanish or French or whatever under your belt don’t remember is that there are parents whose kids really do speak that target language. And due to regulations imposed by Congress, our kids don’t get any preference at all.  I really don’t care so much when I see parents trying hard and getting tutors or traveling to improve language skills (and starting at PK3). However, parents like the two PPs have low expectations and prevent the class from really achieving biliteracy, because they’re struggling with the remedial skills of your English speaking kids, really really bother me.  I feel that schools should make parents sign a contract saying they will learn the target language also, and that they will do everything they can to support the language.

Also, if you’re at an immersion school, you should be volunteering or donating money or doing what you can to help the immigrant community that is helping to educate your kids. [/quote]

I do feel it's really unfortunate that there is no preference for at least ELL and language dominant for these schools. Not sure about signing a contract, but it is a little offensive when parents are so blase about the language part yet they are in essence taking a spot from a speaker of that language who really needs the school. [/quote]

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