| International
Program at Beacon Hill - Fall 2008! |
| In
the Fall of 2008, Beacon
Hill Elementary will incorporate a full international school
program. Education with a global perspective will be infused
throughout the K-5 curriculm. The language immersion program for
Spanish, Mandarin and English will start with fall 2008 Kindergaren
classes. |
 |
Why, How And When Should My Child Learn A Second
Language?
Much
media attention has recently been focused on the importance of
early learning experiences on brain development. Newsweek devoted a
special edition to the critical first 3 years of a child's life and
indicated that there is a "window of opportunity" for second
language learning starting at 1 year of age. A February 1997
article in Time magazine suggested that foreign languages should be
taught to children as early as possible. With so many demands
already placed on children, parents might ask: Is it important that
my child learns a second language at a young age? Why? What options
are available?
What are the benefits of knowing a second
language?
In
addition to developing a lifelong ability to communicate with more
people, children may derive other benefits from early language
instruction, including improved overall school performance and
superior problem-solving skills. Knowing a second language
ultimately provides a competitive advantage in job
opportunities.
Students of foreign
languages score statistically higher on standardized tests. In its
1992 report, College Bound Seniors: The 1992 Profile of SAT and
Achievement Test Takers, the College Entrance Examination Board
reported that students who averaged 4 or more years of foreign
language study scored higher on the verbal section of the
Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) than those who had studied 4 or more
years in any other subject area. In addition, the average
mathematics score for individuals who had taken 4 or more years of
foreign language study was identical to the average score of those
who had studied 4 years of mathematics. These findings are
consistent with College Board profiles for previous
years.
Students of foreign
languages have access to a greater number of career possibilities
and develop a deeper understanding of their own and other cultures.
Some evidence also suggests that children who receive second
language instruction are more creative and better at solving
complex problems. The benefits to society are many. Americans
fluent in other languages improve global communications, and
maintain our political and security interests.
Why is it better for my child to learn a language in
primary school?
Studies have shown --
and experience has supported -- that children who learn a language
at a very early age are much more likely to have native-like
pronunciation. A number of experts attribute this proficiency to
physiological changes that occur in the maturing brain as a child
enters puberty. Of course, as with any subject, the more years a
child can devote to learning a language, the more competent he or
she will become. In any case, introducing children to alternative
ways of expressing themselves and to different cultures generally
broadens their outlook and gives them the opportunity to
communicate with many more people.
How are languages taught to
children?
The
three major types of programs available in elementary schools are
language immersion programs, foreign language in elementary schools
(FLES) programs, and foreign language exploratory (FLEX)
programs.
- Immersion programs
allow children to spend part or all of the school day learning in a
second language. In full (total) immersion programs, which are
available in a limited number of schools, children learn all of
their subjects (math, social studies, science, etc.) in the second
language. Partial immersion programs operate on the same principle,
but only a portion of the curriculum is presented in tech second
language. In this type of program, a child may learn social studies
and science in Spanish or French in the morning and learn
mathematics and language arts in English in the afternoon. In both
cases, the second language is the medium for content instruction
rather than the subject of instruction. Children enrolled in
immersion programs work toward full proficiency in the second
language and usually reach a higher level of competence than those
participating in other language programs.
- FLES programs are more common than
immersion programs. A second language is presented as a distinct
subject, much as science or social studies. Typically, the course
is taught three to five times per week. Depending on the frequency
of the class and the opportunity for practice, children in these
programs may attain substantial proficiencies in the language
studied.
- FLEX programs
introduce students to other cultures and to language as a general
concept. Time is spent exploring one or more languages or learning
about language itself. The emphasis is not on attaining
proficiency. Although some proficiency may be attained with a once
or twice-per-week program emphasizing the sue of a specific
language, parents should not expect children to attain fluency in
such programs. These programs, however, can provide a basis for
later learning.
Will a Second
Language Interfere With My Child's English Ability?
In
most cases, learning another language enhances a child's native
language ability. Children can learn much about his native language
by learning the structure of other languages. Common vocabulary
also helps children learn the meaning of new words in the native
language. Experimental studies have shown that no long-term delay
in native language development occurs in children participating in
second language classes, even in full immersion
programs.
In
fact, children enrolled in foreign language programs score
statistically higher on standardized tests conducted in the native
language. A number of reports have demonstrated that children who
have learned a second language earn higher SAT scores, particularly
on the verbal section of the test. One study showed that by the
fifth year of an immersion program, students outperformed all
comparison groups and remained high academic achievers throughout
their schooling.
If My Child Is
Enrolled in a Language Program at School, What Can I Do To
Help?
Most
importantly, encourage your child's interest in the language and in
other cultures. Show him or her that you value the ability to speak
a second language. Attend cultural events that feature music,
dance, or food from the country or countries where the language is
spoken. If possible, provide some books, videos, or other materials
in the second language. If you are familiar with the language
yourself, read to your child. Summer programs offering
international exchange are suitable for older children and offer
valuable opportunities to speak a second language and explore a
different culture first-hand. Children normally live with a host
family, which provides them with a safe and sheltered environment
where they can practice their language skills.
If My Child's School Does Not Offer
Language Study, what
Can I Do To Help Establish a Program?
Speak to the school
principal about your interest in seeing a program established.
Determine what type of program best fits your needs. Join with
other parents interested in starting up a program. Discuss the
possibility at a PTA meeting. Write to the teachers, the school
board, and the school district headquarters.
Many
resources are available to help parents and teachers establish a
second language program. For information on early language
programs, contact:
Advocates for Language
Learning
PO Box 4962
Culver City, CA 90231
Phone: 310-313-333
American Council on
the Teaching of Foreign Languages
6 Executive Plaza
Yonkers, NY 10701-6801
Phone: 914-963-8830
Fax: 914-963-1275
Email: actflhq@aol.com
Web: http://www.actfl.org
ERIC
Clearinghouse on Languages and Linguistics
4646 40th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20016-1859
Toll free:800-276-9834
Email: eric@cal.org/ericcll
The
National FLES* Institute
The University of Maryland Baltimore County
Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics
Continuing Education Department
1000 Hilltop Circle
Baltimore, MD 21250
Phone: 410-45-2336
National Network for
Early Language Learning
Center for Applied Linguistics
4646 40th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20016-1859
Phone 202-362-0700
Email: nnell@cal.org
Web: http://www.educ.iastate.edu/nnell
The
above information is from a brochure titled 'Why, How, and When
Should My Child Learn a Second Language' provided by ERIC
