Immersion: Hasta Luego, not Adios

[mmflynn]

<p>I just read the article about Burlingame's difficulty hiring teachers for the Spanish language immersion program. I hope that if we cannot hire a teacher in time, that Burlingame says "hasta luego," and not "adios."</p>
<p>The reason immersion is so popular across the country (300 programs in 25 states!!!) is that it is both more effective and <i>cost-effective</i> than secondary language classes. It's also the reason why we're having such a hard time hiring--Burlingame is late to the game. Despite the rich diversity in California, our kids will be competing for college spots with bi-literate kids from Minnesota who can read Don Quijote in its original text or the Chinese government's daily newspapers. My child may miss out on this fabulous opportunity, but I sincerely hope that Burlingame keeps trying. It costs relatively little to implement immersion, and it really, truly matters.</p>
<p>For those who are interested in (or skeptical about) the program, I STRONGLY encourage you to review the BSD's web site. It has more content and is more accurate than anything that has appeared in the press. (E.g., there was a clerical error re: 1st grade enrollment that was originally reported and never corrected in the press--the 1st grade class is full.)</p>
<ul>
<li>Immersion home page: http://www.bsd.k12.ca.us/immersion.htm</li>
<li>About the program (how it is set up): http://www.bsd.k12.ca.us/aboutimmerse.html </li>
<li><b>FAQ -- sets the record straight on a LOT of issues</b>: http://www.bsd.k12.ca.us/immersion_Qna.html</li>
</ul>

[Roscoe_Beedle]

Immersion is basically a crock. It is one of the cornerstones of the "multi-cultural" frauds who have convinced themselves that learning our own language is equal to learning another language.

Now their job is to convince the rest of us that our children must be bi-lingual.

I grew up with a mother who spoke perfect Sicilian and often. But that lady made sure her sons spoke perfect English, always. Our own choices for speaking another language were made individually.

To think, the education susytem which fails so many children in basics will now lump on this fantasy of immersion to their workload is near criminal.

Your example of the college students who will be able to read Don Quixote in Spanish is laughable. That is about all it will amount to. I have traveled the World several times. What I found is that an intelligent person who speaks English well can do well just about anywhere. Interpreters are available everywhere. The language of business internationally is English my friend. Not spanish, not mandarin.

Our kids should be in English immersion to force well spoken and read english. After putting three kids through college I can tell you this, foreign languages are not in themselves the key to higher education or success in the real world.

[Tommy]

Perhaps politically it's a crock, but immersion is the best way to learn a language. That's the way our European immigrant relatives learned English. AND--they had no special programs to help them!

[actionhero11]

In the process of looking into immersion, appx 70 families raised their hands to participate in an inaugural program. For a school district that is as small as Burlingame, it is a testimony to immersion's broad support.

Immersion is not for everyone and no one is saying that is the best way to educate a child. But our community has embraced immersion as a unique opportunity for our children.

[jonvn]

Glad these kids are learning a second language.

It will help them in getting jobs at fast food places.

Otherwise, what else are they not learning in the process?

[GHafez7]

<p>I just read the article about Burlingame's difficulty hiring teachers for the Spanish language immersion program. I hope that if we cannot hire a teacher in time, that Burlingame says "hasta luego," and not "adios."</p>
<p>The reason immersion is so popular across the country (300 programs in 25 states!!!) is that it is both more effective and <i>cost-effective</i> than secondary language classes. It's also the reason why we're having such a hard time hiring--Burlingame is late to the game. Despite the rich diversity in California, our kids will be competing for college spots with bi-literate kids from Minnesota who can read Don Quijote in its original text or the Chinese government's daily newspapers. My child may miss out on this fabulous opportunity, but I sincerely hope that Burlingame keeps trying. It costs relatively little to implement immersion, and it really, truly matters.</p>
<p>For those who are interested in (or skeptical about) the program, I STRONGLY encourage you to review the BSD's web site. It has more content and is more accurate than anything that has appeared in the press. (E.g., there was a clerical error re: 1st grade enrollment that was originally reported and never corrected in the press--the 1st grade class is full.)</p>
<ul>
<li>Immersion home page: http://www.bsd.k12.ca.us/immersion.htm</li>
<li>About the program (how it is set up): http://www.bsd.k12.ca.us/aboutimmerse.html </li>
<li><b>FAQ -- sets the record straight on a LOT of issues</b>: http://www.bsd.k12.ca.us/immersion_Qna.html</li>
</ul>

I'm going to say this slowly so you can understand...THIS IS AMERICA...NOT MEXICO. Do they have english immersion in Mexico? No. My kids will NOT be taking spanish in highschool, rather they will take German or French. At least then the language won't be associated with ILLEGAL ALIENS. That's right..ILLEGAL ALIENS...in other words...CRIMINALS.

[Sarah Alaoui]

So we've heard the parents' responses to the article...I think we need to hear the opinion of a student--someone who might be affected by the immersion program.

Well, here I am :). I've taken French classes since middle school, and finished sophomore year because my high school didn't offer any more advanced levels than the AP level. I regret not starting a new language such as Spanish my junior year--that's how much I loved learning a foreign language.

Not only did my new language skills help me overseas (let's face it: sure, English is the "universal" language, but as a 'guest' in another country, I think it's more fun to use their native language instead of being the "typical American tourist" and expecting the French baguette seller to humor you with their English skills. Isn't trying out a native tongue half the excitement of visiting a new country? I guess I'm the only one who thinks so...), but surprisingly, they also helped me on tests I need for college such as the SAT. On the dreaded critical reading section, students are often advised to look at the root words of vocabulary they are not familiar with--my French skills have saved me more than once on the SAT which is proven by the high score I received on that particular section.

I also wanted to respond directly to gHafez7 in this post--wow, you have some strong feelings regarding the issue.
In your post, you generalized all Mexicans as being illegal, and therefore all Mexicans as being criminals...that's a little unfair on your part. You went on and placed languages like German and French on a pedestal...to use your reasoning that kids shouldn't learn the language of 'criminals', would you say that Germany and France don't have criminals. If I recall correctly, didn't Hitler speak German? What about notorious heroin dealer of France, Jean Jehan?
Also, doesn't the U.S. boast its own list of criminals? Does that mean we should all stop speaking English?
Before we completely put down the immersion program, we should first speak to the kids who are benefitting (or maybe turning into criminals because of it, according to some...) from it. I know I'm not the only one who enjoys knowing more than one language. Try it.

With all due respect,
Sarah
(high school student)

[Roscoe_Beedle]

Sarah is one smart kid. Yes she is!

When I worked overseas I took up French (language of the embassies). I liked it, although I was never that good at it.

My original opinion is that this is being "sold" as some great panacea or some great advancement. It really isn't. Learning another language is just like learning chemistry. To represent it as some great advancement is disingenuous.


There is a definite element of the multi-cultural types behind this. That somehow english is not enough. What I do not want to see is english being placed on a 'par' with other languages. That would be a great dis-service to both our students and our country. We do not need multi-languages to pervade our country's daily discourse.

Funny thing: Hillary Clinton is considered "brilliant" and she speaks one language only. George Bush is considered a bone-head and he is bi-lingual. You can see how this thing has been oversold.

[Diamond Dog]

Stop drinking and blogging, you cantankerous old man.


I'm going to say this slowly so you can understand...THIS IS AMERICA...NOT MEXICO. Do they have english immersion in Mexico? No. My kids will NOT be taking spanish in highschool, rather they will take German or French. At least then the language won't be associated with ILLEGAL ALIENS. That's right..ILLEGAL ALIENS...in other words...CRIMINALS.

[jonvn]

It's great to learn another language.

It's ridiculous to do so at the expense of everything else.

How are kids in these classes supposed to come home and do their homework with their parents, for example? If I had a youngster writing a report on Bolivia and they were in a French immersion class, what good is that going to do either of us?

If this is there to teach another language, fine. Great idea. But otherwise, I can't see how this helps. I'm sure there are test scores that show otherwise, but that's not really the whole story.