Strength in Language

Not enough children are learning critical languages. This article in WaPo discusses some of the growing interest in language programs for young children (Preschool immersion programs are all the rage among the uber-educated). However, obstacles exist. The troubles cited in implementing these programs include cost, and, gasp, NCLB. But when the U.S. Department of Education cites more than 200 million children in China are studying English in primary school, and only 24,000 students in U.S. schools are learning Chinese, a problem begins to emerge. Sure English is the language of commerce, and I recall a class in English criticism that cited some reasons why, including the linguistic structure of the English language, but it wouldn't hurt Americans to know a little Mandarin Chinese.

An idea stolen from Suzette Wyhs, foreign language supervisor for Loudoun schools. Regarding NCLB concerns, since languages are not tested subjects, use differentiation approaches in the classroom for students that have mastered a topic/skill. Base the foreign language lesson on a simplistic version of the already mastered English language lesson. As a elementary school student I always had gobs of extra time after I mastered a topic or finished a lesson in school. I would have happily spent that time learning another language.