I don’t think the original post said, but this curriculum change is impacting all BASIS schools in Arizona, Louisiana and Washington DC—the change is coming from the network.

The same announcement mentioned changes to the history curriculum, as well.

As is typical, lots of non-BASIS families are hating on the school. We’re at BASIS and quite happy with the change, though it will only impact my rising 7th grader for one year. My oldest BASIS kid will continue taking Spanish.

In the end, its success will come down to whether they can hire a good Linguistics teacher.

It is hard to find Latin teachers. It might be something as simple as that.

BASIS families have no say in any policy, so no point in questioning. If your kid learns a language before 8th grade they will forced to study as a beginner anyway, either in classes for the language they've already learned or a new language. Advanced language study (past AP) isn't permitted at BASIS.

The new language curriculum sounds more than a little gimmicky.

If you want a middle school student to write well and test well, teach them English, along with some Latin and Greek roots.

If you want to open their world, nurture an adventurous spirt and promote a cognitive boost, teach them to speak, read and write a 2nd language much earlier than 8th grade.

PS. I've never really understood what a "world language" might be, other than English thanks to British colonialism.

“We will work to introduce our students to the scientific study of language itself, focusing on the underlying structure of language and the similarities and differences among and between the world’s languages.”

The writing here is so bad that I am concerned about the school teaching writing or linguistics.

“We will work to introduce”= we’ll dabble

“Similarities and differences among and between the world’s languages” = I really don’t know what I’m trying to convey but if i keep going i *may* sound smart.

Looking beyond the bad writing, my predication is that this Linguistics class is basically Grammar and Word Study class dressed up as a college-level into class.

Hackneyed insult which you've made on other threads. Try again.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:BASIS would still be better off making an effort to help MS families retain and build solid language foundations, like the high-performing suburban school systems in this area do. You can bet that Fairfax, Arlington, MoCo etc. don't wait until 8th grade to teach modern languages. They're aiming higher than middling AP language scores for top performers in HS. You can also bet that they make a point of valuing and promoting students' bilingualism. Not angry or surprised to learn this, but not remotely impressed either. Who cares, right, this isn't Europe.

Yawn.

Yawn away, the joke is still on you if your children don't speak good Spanish or Mandarin.

Enjoy DCI!

. We got Fi aid at WIS. Enjoy kill and drill in that miserable building.

Why are you posting here then? You must have a huge chip on your shoulder.

Enjoy wallowing in your miserable life.

Why are you posting here, armed with OT defensiveness? Weary of BASIS admins pushing your family around? You must lose sleep over what goes on in that joyless building.

Sounds like BASIS dodged a bullet when you left.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:BASIS would still be better off making an effort to help MS families retain and build solid language foundations, like the high-performing suburban school systems in this area do. You can bet that Fairfax, Arlington, MoCo etc. don't wait until 8th grade to teach modern languages. They're aiming higher than middling AP language scores for top performers in HS. You can also bet that they make a point of valuing and promoting students' bilingualism. Not angry or surprised to learn this, but not remotely impressed either. Who cares, right, this isn't Europe.

Yawn.

Yawn away, the joke is still on you if your children don't speak good Spanish or Mandarin.

Enjoy DCI!

. We got Fi aid at WIS. Enjoy kill and drill in that miserable building.

Why are you posting here then? You must have a huge chip on your shoulder.

Enjoy wallowing in your miserable life.

I'm enjoying knowing that a family escaped BASIS inflexibility in style, with "specialty" European-caliber middle school language instruction in the mix.

If your kid writes and reasons like you, it sounds like he/she would have benefitted from the revised curriculum before he/she dropped out.

Basis parent here who thinks the increased focus on writing is a good idea. General focus on linguistics/language rather than just Latin sounds good, but I think how well it is taught is more important than the specific curriculum.

Rah, rah, rah, BASIS language instruction even more lackluster than in the past. Oh happy day.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:BASIS would still be better off making an effort to help MS families retain and build solid language foundations, like the high-performing suburban school systems in this area do. You can bet that Fairfax, Arlington, MoCo etc. don't wait until 8th grade to teach modern languages. They're aiming higher than middling AP language scores for top performers in HS. You can also bet that they make a point of valuing and promoting students' bilingualism. Not angry or surprised to learn this, but not remotely impressed either. Who cares, right, this isn't Europe.

Yawn.

Yawn away, the joke is still on you if your children don't speak good Spanish or Mandarin.

Enjoy DCI!

. We got Fi aid at WIS. Enjoy kill and drill in that miserable building.

Why are you posting here then? You must have a huge chip on your shoulder.

Enjoy wallowing in your miserable life.

Why are you posting here, armed with OT defensiveness? Weary of BASIS admins pushing your family around? You must lose sleep over what goes on in that joyless building.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:BASIS would still be better off making an effort to help MS families retain and build solid language foundations, like the high-performing suburban school systems in this area do. You can bet that Fairfax, Arlington, MoCo etc. don't wait until 8th grade to teach modern languages. They're aiming higher than middling AP language scores for top performers in HS. You can also bet that they make a point of valuing and promoting students' bilingualism. Not angry or surprised to learn this, but not remotely impressed either. Who cares, right, this isn't Europe.

Yawn.

Yawn away, the joke is still on you if your children don't speak good Spanish or Mandarin.

Enjoy DCI!

. We got Fi aid at WIS. Enjoy kill and drill in that miserable building.

Why are you posting here then? You must have a huge chip on your shoulder.

Enjoy wallowing in your miserable life.

I'm enjoying knowing that a family escaped BASIS inflexibility in style, with "specialty" European-caliber middle school language instruction in the mix.

<b>We will work to introduce our students to the scientific study of language itself, focusing on the underlying structure of language and the similarities and differences among and between the world’s languages</b> definitely sounds like "we're still focused on helping your kids with things that can help them on their SATs."

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:BASIS would still be better off making an effort to help MS families retain and build solid language foundations, like the high-performing suburban school systems in this area do. You can bet that Fairfax, Arlington, MoCo etc. don't wait until 8th grade to teach modern languages. They're aiming higher than middling AP language scores for top performers in HS. You can also bet that they make a point of valuing and promoting students' bilingualism. Not angry or surprised to learn this, but not remotely impressed either. Who cares, right, this isn't Europe.

Yawn.

Yawn away, the joke is still on you if your children don't speak good Spanish or Mandarin.

Enjoy DCI!

. We got Fi aid at WIS. Enjoy kill and drill in that miserable building.

Enjoy your privilege!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:BASIS would still be better off making an effort to help MS families retain and build solid language foundations, like the high-performing suburban school systems in this area do. You can bet that Fairfax, Arlington, MoCo etc. don't wait until 8th grade to teach modern languages. They're aiming higher than middling AP language scores for top performers in HS. You can also bet that they make a point of valuing and promoting students' bilingualism. Not angry or surprised to learn this, but not remotely impressed either. Who cares, right, this isn't Europe.

Yawn.

Yawn away, the joke is still on you if your children don't speak good Spanish or Mandarin.

Enjoy DCI!

. We got Fi aid at WIS. Enjoy kill and drill in that miserable building.

Why are you posting here then? You must have a huge chip on your shoulder.

Enjoy wallowing in your miserable life.