Here in Utah, elementary schools are adopting second language immerson programs for Chinese, French and Spanish. My brother just emailed me and told me that my six-year-old nephew was accepted to the Mandarin Chinese immersion program; he'll be starting next year when he enters first grade.
At first, I wasn't sure how I felt about elementary school kids spending half their day learning a language and the other half learning English. That's a lot for a little kid! But I think we forget how easily young children pick up languages - much easier than adults do. The more I've learned, the more converted I've become to the idea. I think it is fantastic. What an opportunity for children to be completely immersed in a language - that's what you need to actually learn it - not just going over vocabulary once a week.
And what amazing opportunites they'll have in their futures - work, missions, etc. And simply having a second language under their belt - I think that's great. It makes me feel a little pressure to keep up on my German.
Here is an article and TV spot that was done by our local news station on the topic. Interesting stuff.
I wish our schools did something like that. I would love for my kids to have a 2nd language!
ReplyDeleteI think it's great! I live in NY and the district I work in offers a lot of foreign language programs too. I thought you just took Spanish, Italian, and French in middle school and high school. Well the elementary school I work in teaches Russian in Kindergarten, Chinese in First Grade, Latin in Fifth Grade, and French, Spanish, and Italian rotate among Second, Third, and Fourth Grade. I think it's crazy that they learn a year of each, but I think it's great too! The kids love it. They get alot under their belt before deciding what language to take in middle school and high school.
ReplyDeleteI used to teach Spanish classes in elementary schools and pre-schools and i can attest to the fact that the younger kids really do pick it up SO fast. When it comes to learning a foreign language, the younger they can start, the better!
ReplyDeleteI think it's cool. I really, really wish I remembered all the Spanish I took from high school.
ReplyDeleteThat's what they did at my old high school in Mexico. Half of the classes were in Spanish and the other half were in English. They did that from Kindergarten through high school to make sure the kids could fluently speak, write, and understand both languages. I think it's awesome. I want to learn Chinese.
ReplyDeleteI think it´s great! My son started learning english (here in Germany) in third grade. He is now in 5th. grade. And I think one day his english will be much better then mine. Next year he´ll be taking a second language. He might choose spanish. And don´t forget the german language. It´s also pretty hard for many Germans. :) By the way, I think your German is great and look how fast you´ve learned it!
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful week!
Hug´s,
Verena
agreed. i thought these kinds of programs were odd when i first heard about them, but now i kinda wish i'd been in one!
ReplyDeletekeep up on your german! i'm an american living in germany so i support that idea. :) i love your blog header by the way.
ReplyDeleteThat is so cool!! He is going to be so smart. And when he's all grown up, he can take you to China to use his skills.
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