Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Learning Environments Foreign Language 'acceleration'

DD10 will attend middle school next year and we have a good math and LA plan in place. DD mentioned that one of her friends that is one grade above will begin foreign language next year and she wants to do the same. DD is bilingual and I think she will not have a hard time learning another language.

I think she would be ready to start a foreign language in the fall, but I am not sure how to approach the school. Are there any resources/articles on verbally gifted children and beginning foreign language instruction "early"? I know it's done in other countries all the time, but how would our school react to giving HS language credit to a 10-11 year old? It is taught in the same school, so there are no transportation issues.

Other than saying "DD really wants to learn a new language", what wold be the best way to approach the school?

Jen

Why do you think about a HS credit? If she is interested in learning languages, she will most likely want to do it all the way through HS. In my experience it is much easier to ask for accomodations without asking for credit.

As for the way foreign languages are thought here - starting in HS is plain stupid.IM, not so humble,O

Oh, I so agree, Ania. Utterly dumb! I absolutely wish the U.S. took a more global view of things MUCH earlier on in the education process!

I should be more clear: I don't care about HS credit, the class is for HS credit. In our school system, students begin foreign language anywhere btw. 7th-10th grade and take it for 3 years. There is no 4th year option, although I would think a student could start another language. Many 7th graders take their foreign language right away to free up space for other classes in HS. My concern is not with her earning credit, but how to advocate her into a class that would keep her motivated and engaged in the learning process. It seems easier to point to a math test score and say that a child is ready for Algebra, but I haven't seen anything that points to readiness for foreign languages. Sorry to confuse.

Also, ITA that the school system starts foreign languages too late. I took foreign languages since 3rd grade in my native country and ended up speaking 4 fluently by 12th grade. The earlier you start, the easier it is to learn, in my experience.

Jen

I would stress the needed challenge in a subject that she doesn�t have prior exposure.
Do you already speak the language that your daughter is interested in taking?
Perhaps the administrators and educators would be more open to offering this challenge to a younger student if they know she has an accessible tutor at home if needed.

This is such a pet peeve of mine. One does not need to even look outside of the US but just read the facts. The window for natural ability to pick up a foreign language closes at age 10 -11. I really do not understand why the public schools can not accept that and start foreign languages in elementary school. It is so frustrating. I have started my toddler on Spanish and see how easy it is for her as it would be for any child this young.

Sorry to go off on a tangent but really is my pet peeve.

As for your daughter ... I agree: Is HS credit the issue here? Or does she want to learn another language? You could always provide that outside of school and since she is already bilingual it shouldn't be too difficult for her to learn.

Yes, I speak the language DD is interested in. I didn't think of bringing it up when we speak with our gifted coordinator next time. Good point.

HS credit is not the issue for me or her, but it may be for the school. The 7th graders will earn HS credit (wanted or not) when they take a foreign language. What I am afraid of is that the school would resist because it is considered a HS class instead of middle school class. DD is motivated to learn a new language and she would love to do it in a group setting instead of learning alone as she has done in the past.