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why on earth would elementary school kids need foreign language
elementary is a place where kids learn to read write and get a grasp on the basics
foreign language classes is generally an elective and is not required until high school
Learning a language while very young takes advantage of the neural plasticity in the brains of young children. Why not teach the students at the stage in life where they are most likely to learn most efficiently?
Thanks all for the input. I always took the elem. foreign language as a given, but it seems that it is district and probably school dependent.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ace_TX
why on earth would elementary school kids need foreign language
elementary is a place where kids learn to read write and get a grasp on the basics
foreign language classes is generally an elective and is not required until high school
Dual language speakers have numerous advantages over monolingual speakers. Plus, young children are like sponges, so it makes sense to teach them while they are young.
My kids had Spanish classes from K-6, then Latin was required in grades 7 and 8, and then they had an option of Latin, Spanish, French, or Mandarin from 9-12 (they had a requirement of 2 years of a foreign language from 9-12 - they all chose to continue with Latin). In college, they all took German for their language requirements - anywhere from 1-2 years, depending on their university's requirements.
My brother's daughters who are in the 6th grade (elementary school) and 8th grade (middle school) in a Southern California town both don't have any foreign language classes offered as part of their school curriculum. But they have been going to Hebrew school on Sundays as my sister-in-law is Israeli-born and both girls were exposed to Hebrew as well as English as babies.
Foreign language is completely elective at all levels locally where I am located, and is not generally offered in elementary or middle school. My high school offered French and Spanish as electives, and no other languages.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lycos679
Does it just depend on the school or is it just an option/elective? It was always my understanding that Latin and other foreign languages were taught beginning in elem school, but my sister said the schools near her don't teach those subjects. I don't know if there is a state/national standard mandating those courses or if it is left up to the school districts.
Late '60s HS graduation for me, 2 years of a foreign language was required in the College Prep curriculum and Latin was one of the choices. Many colleges used to require it at the time, don't knowm if that's stiil the case?
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