I bet if they were teaching Italian, French or anything else, most people would be fine with it.

You are not very familiar with this program, are you?


http://www.fcps.edu/is/worldlanguages/fles.shtml

Actually, French and Italian are taught. So are several other languages. And, with some of these languages there is not any follow up for the kids when they move to middle school. At least with Spanish, there is Spanish offered in the middle schools.

That's the problem with this program, we don't know what the goal is. If it is to learn the language, why isn't the language taught in the elementary offered to the kids in middle school?

It's a silly program. If they need another special for planning purposes, hire another music or art or pe teacher.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have asked, so far with no answers, how much FCPS spends on FLES each year. For those who think "teaching about other cultures" is just fine, why isn't this part of the general curriculum? Why only hispanic culture? Why not learn about Korean culture? African culture? This is a poorly veiled attempt to normalize hispanic culture and promote acceptance of Spanish, not to teach a language to English speakers. If my son (and younger daughter) came out of elementary school speaking another language fluently, I'd be far less irritated.

My oldest is in 6th grade and I can honestly say we still do not have very much to show for his time spent in FLES. That time would be better spent enhancing math, science, social studies, or other core subjects. If we must spend the money, why not on immersive ESOL for students and their parents, so they are not at a disadvantage?

Does anyone know what the FCPS budget is for FLES? It's a great place to start balancing the budget.

This is poorly veiled racism.

I bet if they were teaching Italian, French or anything else, most people would be fine with it.

Spending one hour a week listening to someone talk AT you in a foreign language, without any real instruction, is a huge waste of time. Like the PP, I have a 6th grader who has learned no Spanish through FLES. She says the teacher just talks nonstop to them and then expects them to be able to respond. It's ridiculous and insulting and to call this "racism" is disgusting.

When there is time to really teach foreign language - middle and high school - that's when we should be spending funds on dedicated classrooms. Not this "pretend" language class.

Anonymous wrote:I would be on board if they replaced it with science and social studies classes. My child already has music 3 times a week. He doesn't need another special time.

Yes, completely agree. Or some English grammar lessons would be great. Get back to basics and improve those basics.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have asked, so far with no answers, how much FCPS spends on FLES each year. For those who think "teaching about other cultures" is just fine, why isn't this part of the general curriculum? Why only hispanic culture? Why not learn about Korean culture? African culture? This is a poorly veiled attempt to normalize hispanic culture and promote acceptance of Spanish, not to teach a language to English speakers. If my son (and younger daughter) came out of elementary school speaking another language fluently, I'd be far less irritated.

My oldest is in 6th grade and I can honestly say we still do not have very much to show for his time spent in FLES. That time would be better spent enhancing math, science, social studies, or other core subjects. If we must spend the money, why not on immersive ESOL for students and their parents, so they are not at a disadvantage?

Does anyone know what the FCPS budget is for FLES? It's a great place to start balancing the budget.

This is poorly veiled racism.

I bet if they were teaching Italian, French or anything else, most people would be fine with it.

I would be on board if they replaced it with science and social studies classes. My child already has music 3 times a week. He doesn't need another special time.

Anonymous wrote:I have asked, so far with no answers, how much FCPS spends on FLES each year. For those who think "teaching about other cultures" is just fine, why isn't this part of the general curriculum? Why only hispanic culture? Why not learn about Korean culture? African culture? This is a poorly veiled attempt to normalize hispanic culture and promote acceptance of Spanish, not to teach a language to English speakers. If my son (and younger daughter) came out of elementary school speaking another language fluently, I'd be far less irritated.

My oldest is in 6th grade and I can honestly say we still do not have very much to show for his time spent in FLES. That time would be better spent enhancing math, science, social studies, or other core subjects. If we must spend the money, why not on immersive ESOL for students and their parents, so they are not at a disadvantage?

Does anyone know what the FCPS budget is for FLES? It's a great place to start balancing the budget.

This is poorly veiled racism.

I have asked, so far with no answers, how much FCPS spends on FLES each year. For those who think "teaching about other cultures" is just fine, why isn't this part of the general curriculum? Why only hispanic culture? Why not learn about Korean culture? African culture? This is a poorly veiled attempt to normalize hispanic culture and promote acceptance of Spanish, not to teach a language to English speakers. If my son (and younger daughter) came out of elementary school speaking another language fluently, I'd be far less irritated.

My oldest is in 6th grade and I can honestly say we still do not have very much to show for his time spent in FLES. That time would be better spent enhancing math, science, social studies, or other core subjects. If we must spend the money, why not on immersive ESOL for students and their parents, so they are not at a disadvantage?

Does anyone know what the FCPS budget is for FLES? It's a great place to start balancing the budget.

Our school has Chinese FLES classes. Students hate it. They aren't learning the language. Teacher gives answers for all exams because students are lost and haven't learned anything. Waste of time and money.

Anonymous wrote:

I don't buy that. My kid comes home all the time saying she hasn't learned anything and can't speak the language. And then I see her bring home a PPT presentation written entirely in Spanish (immersion student). She says this about other things too and then I see the work she brings home.

You are comparing immersion to FLES. Really?

Seriously, for real???

I don't buy that. My kid comes home all the time saying she hasn't learned anything and can't speak the language. And then I see her bring home a PPT presentation written entirely in Spanish (immersion student). She says this about other things too and then I see the work she brings home.

You are comparing immersion to FLES. Really?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

So, would it be a waste if you or your DH did speak it??

I wish I had the answer to that question, but I dont. I kind of think yes, because I know how to help him with things like math, reading and science, so I can ask him what he learned about in any of those three subjects and we can discuss it and build on what he learned. With Spanish, I only know a few words, so I can say the word I know and say, "what does that mean?" And he always says, "I don't know", so when I say he's learned nothing, I really do mean it. I'm not sure what words they actually have taught them and my ds sure as heck isn't able to tell me. He's had the class for two years now and hasn't learned anything.

I don't buy that. My kid comes home all the time saying she hasn't learned anything and can't speak the language. And then I see her bring home a PPT presentation written entirely in Spanish (immersion student). She says this about other things too and then I see the work she brings home.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

So, would it be a waste if you or your DH did speak it??

I wish I had the answer to that question, but I dont. I kind of think yes, because I know how to help him with things like math, reading and science, so I can ask him what he learned about in any of those three subjects and we can discuss it and build on what he learned. With Spanish, I only know a few words, so I can say the word I know and say, "what does that mean?" And he always says, "I don't know", so when I say he's learned nothing, I really do mean it. I'm not sure what words they actually have taught them and my ds sure as heck isn't able to tell me. He's had the class for two years now and hasn't learned anything.

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Pp you quoted here, you are exactly right. Couldn't agree more with everything you said, especially the bolded.

I think FLES is useless. If they want to teach a foreign language then do right and everyday. Twice a week is dabbling and doesn't really build skills.

Bingo!

If FCPS were serious about it, they would have a goal with this program. What is the goal? Exposure? Take the kids on a field trip to the ethnic supermarkets. I'm not being sarcastic, I am serious.

Also, some school do not have parent volunteers and either way that time would need to be built into the schedule. Our school requests so many volunteers that most spots go unfilled already.