We're In...

I wrote a while back that we'd applied to get La Nina into a special language program in our school district. We found out this week, she got in.

The program is really cool. It's called Dual Immersion. It's a language program where kids are immersed in a foreign language. So, La NIna kindergarten class will be taught 90% in Spanish. By 5th grade, her classes will be 50% in Spanish, 50% in English. If history dictates the future, by the time she heads into 6th grade, she will be literate in both Spanish and English. By eighth grade, she'll have the chance to take the AP Spanish test and earn college credits for her work. (About 1/2 the kids that took the AP test this year, passed.)

I've never waived in my desire to have her attend this program. I spent 2 years in a job with Global responsibilities and I did business on 5 continents. During that time, I saw first hand that Americans are just about the only people in the world that speak only one language. Most other countries introduce second language to their children by 1st grade...and many, many people speak 2 or more languages.

The thing that's been interesting to me is the comments I've gotten about our decision. I've been asked why I'd teach my Chinese child Spanish, why I'd neglect my child's english education and why I'd want her to learn a language that "servants" speak. It's been a little shocking frankly. Since I'm in a good mood tonight, I won't glare my answers like I usually do. But if you're curious, here are my answers:

1.) Why Spanish? Isn't it racist to assume Chinese kids must learm Mandarin? I mean, really. In high school, I'm pretty sure that all the kids taking Spanish, French and German are not of Spanish, French and German descent. I think the underlying question here is why not mandari?. It's simple: it's not offered. Chinese school conflicts with Church.

2.) Neglecting English: I've talked to teachers about how they're teaching writing these days, it's pretty unimpressive. There's more to writing than the five paragraph essay, and basically, that's all the schools prepare chidren to write. It's a shame. Creativity and experimentation has been removed from the writing process. La Nina will be taught to read and write (the five paragraph essay, of course) in both languages..I'm not sure what will be missing. Spelling? Ok, may be she'll be a little behind in spelling. Sorry...not worried about it.

3.) Spanish is Second class language: Ok...this is just racist. No doubt. But consider this: Spanish is a Latin based language, and most of the people I know are quickly able to pick up other latin based languages after learning Spanish. I've also heard and read that learning spanish young aids in reading development because it's more phonetic than English and kids pick it up faster. Don't know if it's true, but La Nina is very close to starting to read spontaneously, so she'll be a good proof point.

In the end, all the comments just make me more determined to challenge some of the stereotypes. I'm thrilled that she has the chance to learn a second language, and I'm really looking forward to the school year.