Reply to Please SOUND OFF if you think FCPS is in decline!

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote]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. [/quote]

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.
[/quote]

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. [/quote]

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

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