I feel ok about FLES. My child is learning what I expected them to learn, but I feel other standards are being reduced in core classes. So I'm torn. Next year my child's school is going to one hour long session instead of two half hour lessons. Is this a positive or negative way to structure it? Does it help the teacher at least to come in less? Maybe less transitions and more time for the classroom teacher to plan?

+1
In fact, I'd venture to say that those of us who want to get rid of FLES think foreign language education is very valuable. Just not this "class," once a week. It's a total waste of time and resources that should be spent on the basics, like English language arts. Save foreign language instruction for a time when there can be a dedicated class, every day (or every other day if block scheduled) in middle and high school.

Agree. Anyway, there is no continuity in this program. The kids are NOT learning the language. As for exposure, the classroom teacher can do that. Classroom teachers have always done that. As a first grade teacher, I taught kids about cultures around the world. We did it as part of the Social Studies program. We taught that all people need food, clothing, and shelter. Then, we taught about the different kinds of foods, houses, and clothes around the world. It was great fun and I hope the kids got an appreciation of people who live in other places. We would teach some basic phrases in other languages, as well, so that they had an appreciation of language.

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You really can't expect practice or fluency when a child is exposed once or twice a week for 30 min. What you should expect is that they will develop an understanding and appreciation for the diversity of cultures and languages around the world. (Think 30,000 ft view vs. a 3 ft view.)

Folks, most other developed countries offer and require that students learn other languages. It's time to stop living and acting like 'Merica is the only place that matters.

And, keep in mind that just like art, music and PE may reach other children that may struggle with traditional academics, foreign languages may engage other kids.

Uh yeah.... Thanks for the ejuhmacation. I'm a pp that thinks FLES is a waste of time and I'm married to someone from another country. He speaks three languages fluently. My child is exposed to plenty of diversity and different cultures from what he is exposed to by us. Not everyone who thinks this class is a waste is a dumb redneck, ok?

+1
In fact, I'd venture to say that those of us who want to get rid of FLES think foreign language education is very valuable. Just not this "class," once a week. It's a total waste of time and resources that should be spent on the basics, like English language arts. Save foreign language instruction for a time when there can be a dedicated class, every day (or every other day if block scheduled) in middle and high school.

Anonymous wrote:You really can't expect practice or fluency when a child is exposed once or twice a week for 30 min. What you should expect is that they will develop an understanding and appreciation for the diversity of cultures and languages around the world. (Think 30,000 ft view vs. a 3 ft view.)

Folks, most other developed countries offer and require that students learn other languages. It's time to stop living and acting like 'Merica is the only place that matters.

And, keep in mind that just like art, music and PE may reach other children that may struggle with traditional academics, foreign languages may engage other kids.

Uh yeah.... Thanks for the ejuhmacation. I'm a pp that thinks FLES is a waste of time and I'm married to someone from another country. He speaks three languages fluently. My child is exposed to plenty of diversity and different cultures from what he is exposed to by us. Not everyone who thinks this class is a waste is a dumb redneck, ok?

It's too late for foreign language in middle school and high school, 'Merica needs to start in elementary school. I would agree that Fles, Flex or which program is being taught currently isn't the greatest, but it's better than nothing. Getting foreign language at least the same level as art is a huge step.

Would we say our kids don't get enough out of art once a week? My kid got way more out of art lessons at the prison than we do in art at school, but I wouldn't do away with art at school.

Ditto for PE - who actually learns something in PE? Most sports are learned in club/lesson, ect.

Many people learn a foreign language in weekend Korean/Czech school. (I'm just glad I don't have the family background that make me have to do that on the weekends! I'm an 'merican that speaks one language, but I did take french in high school and college and can't speak a lick. but I'm trying hard to make sure my kids aren't that way)

Anonymous wrote:You really can't expect practice or fluency when a child is exposed once or twice a week for 30 min. What you should expect is that they will develop an understanding and appreciation for the diversity of cultures and languages around the world. (Think 30,000 ft view vs. a 3 ft view.)

Folks, most other developed countries offer and require that students learn other languages. It's time to stop living and acting like 'Merica is the only place that matters.

And, keep in mind that just like art, music and PE may reach other children that may struggle with traditional academics, foreign languages may engage other kids.

Umm, no one is suggesting doing away with learning foreign languages, or that "'Merica is the only place that matters". But FLES is not teaching anything. My DD says the teacher just talks "at" them for 45 min. and then gets mad when the kids don't know what she's saying. Dedicated foreign language classes in middle and high school are great - no one is talking about eliminating them. But wasting time during the elementary school day on something as bogus as FLES is utterly irrational, especially when so many other core subjects are lacking - spelling and grammar in ENGLISH, for one.

You really can't expect practice or fluency when a child is exposed once or twice a week for 30 min. What you should expect is that they will develop an understanding and appreciation for the diversity of cultures and languages around the world. (Think 30,000 ft view vs. a 3 ft view.)

Folks, most other developed countries offer and require that students learn other languages. It's time to stop living and acting like 'Merica is the only place that matters.

And, keep in mind that just like art, music and PE may reach other children that may struggle with traditional academics, foreign languages may engage other kids.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Write to your school board members and Dr. Garza.

That'll work. I've written before and never heard anything back. Karen garza doesn't care what actual parents want.

Agree. Emails often go unreturned.

That'll work. I've written before and never heard anything back. Karen garza doesn't care what actual parents want.

FLES was voted on by your School Board. McElveen and Smith are its biggest supporters--but most of them like it. It is a "nice to have" program--not a good one.

Anonymous wrote:Write to your school board members and Dr. Garza.

That'll work. I've written before and never heard anything back. Karen garza doesn't care what actual parents want.

Write to your school board members and Dr. Garza.

It's a waste. My child has learned nothing. His school has Spanish and neither dh or I speak it, so we can't help him learn it at home.

I certainly hope so.

ditto

I certainly hope so.

Has there been any talk in FCPS about doing away with FLES? Would it be something on the minds of school board?