World Language Program
2008-2009
FAQs

What is the World Languages Program at Laurelhurst?

The WLP provides students with organized foreign language instruction before and after school. The program currently offers Mandarin Chinese, Spanish, Italian, and French classes.

This year we will also offer at least two 5-week language and culture Exploration courses in Chinese and Spanish. The Exploration classes are intended to ease students into language study and determine if more instruction is something they would like to pursue. Exploration classes will be held Thursdays after school during the Winter and Spring and will be geared to younger learners in kindergarten through second grade.

What are the program’s goals/priorities? Our goals are as follows:

• Expose young children to world languages and cultures.
• Build basic second language skills.
• Establish a foundation and enthusiasm for future language study.
• Give language students a sense of confidence, pride, and community.
• Enhance elementary school learning by fostering critical thinking, adaptability to different environments, appreciation for and sensitivity to the traditions of others, and insights into the English language.

Why should my child take a language class?

Children should take a language class for the same reasons they learn about music, or chess, or juggling, or karate, or art, or any sport. You never know what they’re good at, or what will make them feel proud of themselves.

Language learners can also enjoy many specific benefits, such as:

• A deeper understanding of their own and other cultures
• Better problem solving skills           
• Higher scores on standardized tests

How often do the classes meet and how big are they?

Classes are 45 minutes long, and meet once or twice a week. The regular session program runs from mid-October through the end of March. The morning classes meet from 8:15-9:00am and the after school classes meet 3:30-4:15pm. Minimum class size is eight students with a maximum of fifteen.

8:10 in the morning? Are you kidding me?

Some schools start about that time, so consider yourself lucky! It’s all about establishing a routine. It also helps when we go off Day Light Saving Time.

Why do some of the classes finish well before the end of the school year?

We end the regular session in March to keep tuition relatively affordable and because Spring sports often present conflicts for some families. An extended session is occasionally offered after the regular class ends, but it requires teacher availability, additional tuition, and a sufficient number of students. 

Doesn’t the tuition seem like a lot of money?

The total tuition is based on a reasonable $9.50/per session. It may seem like a large sum all at once, but this is a six-month program and a very good value if you consider private language schools, tutors, or the price of many extracurricular programs in the area. Scholarships and payment plans are available. Remember, the first week of class is without obligation. Try out a class and if your child does not continue your check will be returned.

Who are your teachers and who oversees their work?

The WLP and PTA work with  Explorer’s Language Institute who provide qualified instructors and manage administrative tasks. Using an outside resource, such as ELI, became necessary as the program grew to the point of being impractical for parent volunteers to manage exclusively. Language instructors borrow classroom space from Laurelhurst. The WLP is supervised by Laurelhurst PTA coordinators within the category of Supportive Education.

How do we register?

Registration materials will be sent home with the Support Education packet during the second week of school. Forms will also be available online in early September. Tuition and registration information must be turned into the school office by September 24^th.  The tuition check should be made payable to Explorer’s Language Institute.You will also need to contribute $5/family to the Laurelhurst PTA to cover program costs outside of teaching, including, copies, awards, party expenses, and scholarships.

Which language should we choose/What if the classes don’t fit our schedule?

We always recommend that people don’t get too hung up on which language would be best for the long term. Children can learn many different languages over time. Sign up for a class that matches your schedule, with an appropriate age group and skill level.

We speak Spanish/Chinese/French at home/My child learned a second language in preschool…. Which level class should she take?

A child’s age, experience, willingness to participate, and reading/writing skills should all be taken into account when selecting a level. Please note that these classes are meant as an introduction to language(s) and will not be challenging for fluent speakers.

Will other languages be offered?

Additional regular session languages will, most likely, not be offered as we have limited borrowed classroom space. However, we plan to offer Exploration sessions in the Winter and early Spring that will offer a variety of languages and cultures, if the minimum number of enrolled students is met.

Of course, if you have a language or culture-related skill that you would like to share with Laurelhurst students, please let us know! 

My child is very shy and doesn’t like speaking up in class. Would a language class still be beneficial?

We encourage parents to share any information with the language teachers regarding a child’s learning style, personality, and preferences. In some instances, the WLP coordinators might also be able to help steer you toward the most compatible group for your child. In any event, keep in mind that children soak up a lot of language before they are willing and able to produce much of it. A shy child who listens well might surprise you down the road with all that she knows. 

My child doesn’t seem too interested. What can I do to get them to take a class?

Here are a few suggestions, forgive us if the first one is a bit preachy:

• Decide if language study is important to your family and then make the decision to enroll in a class. Have a family meeting about it. Set goals. If you don’t make it an option, then your child won’t see attending class as an option.
• Recruit a buddy. Your parents may be from France, but if your child’s friends are all taking Chinese he’s going to have a better chance of enjoying the class with his buddies.
• Consider signing her up for an Exploration session (or two) and whet her appetite for more commitment next year.
• Attend the WLP party. (More about that later …)

My child attends LASER. Is there assistance available to get him to and from a language class?

Please indicate on the registration form if your child will attend LASER either before or after attending a language class. With advanced notice, LASER teachers should be able to help keep track of your child’s language class schedule and even escort young children to or from their language class.

Can children who do not attend Laurelhurst enroll in a language class?

Yes, but Laurelhurst students have priority if enrollment is at capacity.

How much language will my child learn at each level?

Our Level I  curriculum includes: self introduction; classroom/polite/everyday expressions; family members; basic food; colors; numbers; body parts; clothing; animals; notion of gender; common adjectives; use of articles; a couple of common verbs in present tense. Level II students continue to learn more of the above, while adding: more verbs to form proper sentences; interrogative and negative forms; plus more reading and writing in target language.

Don’t be surprised if your child produces very little language (especially upon your request!) for most of the first year. Learning a language requires a lot of repetition and our program is intended only to build language proficiency to a very novice level. Children who enroll in a single language through the highest level will, optimally, develop basic language survival skills (e.g., mastering courtesy requirements, making simple statements, answering simple questions, describing themselves, etc.). Parents hoping for a higher level of proficiency may want to consider a more intensive language program.

What teaching methods do the instructors use?

We encourage our teachers to use methods most appropriate to elementary foreign language programs, including those based on Total Physical Response. Teachers employing TPR interact with students by delivering commands, and students demonstrate comprehension through physical response. This method can be accomplished through games and activities and is especially effective among young children. Our instructors are also encouraged to borrow elements from immersion classrooms, including: speaking as much as possible in the target language (with the support of non-verbal clues/visual aids, yes/no questions, using modeling & self-repetition; using naturally occurring language and contexts that are relevant to children (meaning language is used as a means to participate in activities – rather than the activity itself – thus motivating instead of intimidating the children to participate; and following a consistent classroom routine. (Parents can help with this last element by being to class on time!). 

How can I reinforce lessons at home, especially if we do not speak the target language?

We encourage the teachers to send home email updates about their classes, including vocabulary, songs and other topics that they are covering. (Children can often reproduce songs most easily. The rhythm and rhyme help them remember. Don’t be worried if they can’t translate the song right away. The exact meaning is less important than their ability to string lots of words and sounds together.) The teacher may be able to recommend a CD to play at home with some of the songs they are learning. Additional links and resources are listed at the end of this document. 

I hear you throw a great party?

This year will mark our third annual WLP celebration that usually takes place in late March, at the end of the regular session of classes. The party allows families and friends an opportunity to enjoy what the children have accomplished over the year, while providing the kids a grand stage to show off their new skills. The children motivate each other, as well as siblings, to participate in the program. Everyone leaves feeling proud of themselves, each other, and of our school.

How can I help/volunteer?

We have a variety of ways you can help out:.

• We’ll need a refreshment committee for our year-end party.
• Photographers are always needed to catch kids in the act for use in our year-end slide show, school tour display, the WLP bulletin board, and the school yearbook.
• The WLP also needs a parent willing to serve as a co-coordinator next year. If you feel drawn to the language program, by all means step right up … it’s a very fulfilling job.

Links and Resources 

http://www.kidsource.com/kidsource/content3/second.language.p.k12.2.html
Why, How and When Should my Child Should Learn a Second Language? 

www.foreignlanguage.org/advocacy/case.htm
This site can lead you to a ton of informative and activity links for both parents and students in several languages. 

www.minmm.com has free on-line lessons where you can learn to read, write and speak Chinese.  The site, www.chinasprout.com carries some material that our Chinese instructor, Wendy, recommends and has and other cultural items as well.  One interesting video is “Dance and Learn Chinese with Mei Mei”.  It presents young children dancing and singing songs in Chinese with subtitles in English, pinyin and Chinese characters.  You can check it out from the library or buy it here online. 
Her other suggestions include:

• “A Trip to Chinatown” by Mei-Yin & Qian Yi (VHS)
• “Ni Hao Little Friends Chinese for Kids” (DVD)
• “Far East Chinese Culture for Children” (book)
• “Only Mom is the Best in the World” (CD)

www.transparent.com/products/kidspeak.htm is another language website that tries to get you to buy their products, but it also has free activities in many different languages, some with survival phrases.  Also on this website is KidSpeak, a CD-ROM program that is available in French, Spanish, German, Hebrew, Italian, and Japanese.  It has interactive games and activities, basic vocabulary, printable worksheets.  Designed for ages 5 and up.  ($19.95)