Second Language Schools (Full Version)

All Forums >> [Life] >> Public and Private School Support



Message

lexie -> Second Language Schools (6/9/2008 7:36:25 AM)

Right now we're leaning towards putting our daughter into French Immersion when she goes to school.

I'm curious if there is anyone around here who has their child in a school that is in a language other than English, and what they think the benefits and drawbacks to it are.



manda59 -> RE: Second Language Schools (6/9/2008 7:59:58 AM)

Do you and/or your husband speak French?



lexie -> RE: Second Language Schools (6/9/2008 8:07:44 AM)

My husband doesn't speak any, since he came to the country too late to start it in school.

I took it all through school and again in university so I know enough to get by.

There are definite benefits to being bilingual in this country, which is why we are considering it.



garsyt -> RE: Second Language Schools (6/9/2008 8:16:15 AM)

In my opinion the best time to start a second language is as soon as possible! I started teaching my children sign language from birth and today I have children that are pretty fluent and one whose become like a second translator for a deaf student in his school.

Blessings,

Garsy



manda59 -> RE: Second Language Schools (6/9/2008 8:24:32 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: lexie
My husband doesn't speak any, since he came to the country too late to start it in school.

I took it all through school and again in university so I know enough to get by.

There are definite benefits to being bilingual in this country, which is why we are considering it.



The reason I asked is because often what happens when a child first learns another language is that they mix up the two - speak words of both languages in the same sentence etc. They sort it all out eventually, but it can be a bit bewildering for the child at first if they're not understood in the other language at home. As you speak French, it should be ok. Maybe your dh could learn a bit of the basic stuff at the same time?! [:)]



lexie -> RE: Second Language Schools (6/9/2008 8:35:51 AM)

quote:

Maybe your dh could learn a bit of the basic stuff at the same time?!


I hope so.

I had always planned to teach her French from an early age anyways. Whatever she learned at school in English, I would teach her in French. But my SIL has two of her kids in French Immersion (and she doesn't speak a word of it) and they both like it. The 17 year old really appreciates having that background.



manda59 -> RE: Second Language Schools (6/9/2008 8:39:37 AM)

My mum started me on basic French (just spoken) when I was 5 or 6; we started it at school when I was 7 (again, just spoken), and then really did it properly (written and spoken) when I started high school (age 11). What I'd learned before really gave me a head start and I excelled all the way through (always my best subject, getting in the 90%s for my end of year exams). I am sure I could have coped with learning it even earlier, and would have loved it.



manda59 -> RE: Second Language Schools (6/9/2008 8:41:00 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: lexie
quote:

Maybe your dh could learn a bit of the basic stuff at the same time?!

I hope so.



You could start him on numbers 1-10, and perhaps the main colours, and also the time. [:D]



Auben -> RE: Second Language Schools (6/14/2008 9:17:13 AM)

With most people I would recommend it.

If your husband feels left out or your daughter turns out to be someone who feels uncomfortable or panicky in a language immersion situation, you should probably stop but most children are benefited by early language teaching.



momof4 -> RE: Second Language Schools (6/14/2008 10:08:23 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: manda59


The reason I asked is because often what happens when a child first learns another language is that they mix up the two - speak words of both languages in the same sentence etc. They sort it all out eventually, but it can be a bit bewildering for the child at first if they're not understood in the other language at home. As you speak French, it should be ok. Maybe your dh could learn a bit of the basic stuff at the same time?! [:)]


It's not just kids who do this! At my work we have a lot of recent immagrants from various African and SE asian countries. All are quite fluent in English; they have to e b/c they work with people. But it's fun listening to them talk to each other in the break room. Two who speak the same language will be sitting there chattering away, and then an English word or phrase comes out in the middle of a sentence, as if the English word or phrase better expresses what they have to say. It's just funny to listen to.



Page: [1]



Forum Software © ASPPlayground.NET Advanced Edition 2.5 ANSI