Should I enroll my Kindergartner in Bilingual Classes?

Question

Growing up, I learned English at school and spoke Spanish at home. In High School, my parents forced my to take Spanish. I did not no why since I spoke it fine but I am glad now. I can read and write in both languages. But now I have a dilemma, should I enroll my son in a Bilingual program so he can learn both languages from the start? Would it affect him negatively or positively?

Answer 1

Do you speak Spanish at home? If so, then PLEASE enroll your child in Bilingual classes or ESL (English as a Second Language). Most of these poor children aren't learning because their parents are denying that nay other language is being spoken in their home and they are having trouble translating what is being taught to them in English quickly enough to learn!

Answer 2

I think that would be wonderful for your child and yourself. Since you both would be learning together. With the way the world is now, you need to know at least 2 languages. And the younger the better since their brains absorb so much more then us as adults. If anything I think you are looking out for you child's future in the long run. I also think that a lot of schools should teach both Spanish and English.. But English as a main language since this is the U.S.A. I also think that once that 2nd language is mastered and later in life your child might want to take another language since now it will help on resumes and also would make your child a true asset to a company. Good Luck

Answer 3

It's wonderful to have your son speaking both languages, tho using Kindergarten to do it is not 'from the start.' From the start would have been from his birth. (Learning begins at birth, not preschool or K.)


If he's already 5, and he hasn't already been speaking spanish, he's lost a lot of time, but still retains some of the plasticity regarding language that adults completely lack.

This said, I wouldn't put a 5 year old boy in Kindergarten. Unless it is a very progressive program, kindergarten is structured and designed to satisfy girls, but leaves boys being labeled bad and behind. Also, five years old is far too young for most boys, and many girls, to leave their mothers' sides for so many hours as school requires. Oh, sure, tons of kids have to endure it, but there is a terrible cost.

I would just immediately start speaking the language you haven't been using with. Get him around family members and others who speak it.

I have a friend who has spoken german and english to her two children, her husband has spoken english and arabic to them, and now all four of them speak all three languages.

If you must put your little boy in school so soon, there is nothing at all wrong with a bilingual program and, in and of itself, it could not have a negative affect on him.

Answer 4

It is easier for someone to learn a language while they are younger. Children are eager learners, and so it would be a great idea to enroll your son in bilingual classes. It is important to start young, so that if they decide to take Spanish in high school, they will be ahead of the game.

Answer 5

A language survey is done and by law the child is put into a class where the language spoken is the same as at home--his predominant language.
His learning would be delayed if he didn't understand the language spoken in the classroom.
I think it would be a mistake to put him in a spanish class if he doesn't speak spanish. It would cause him a lot of stress.
Also, the goal of bilingual education teach in the kids native language but also to get them proficient enough in English and then to progress to English speaking classes.

Answer 6

Assuming that your child has no language problems whatsoever, exposing him/her to bilingual classes at the kindergarten level will generally be advantageous/positive for him, especially if the second language is one that he is familiar with as in he hears it spoken and used at home. Children at this stage are at a sensitive period for language and will absorb it readily. The challenge which adults experience in learning a new language which actually causes us to be apprehensive of exposing our kids to a second language do not apply to a child his age as he can absorb language effortlessly. Of course, the attitude of the people around him towards speaking the language is a plus factor, too. He must have a positive attitude towards learning and speaking it.

Answer 7

It is so much easier to learn a second language when young.
It is fun then the older the more reasons to say no thank you.
In America to many people only speak one language how sad they miss out on so much and so many people.
Beside you will have fun with the program if you try and most likely will learn a few words along the way

Answer 8

If you speak mostly Spanish at home you should enroll your child in English classes, otherwise he will be behind with his English in disadvantage compared to his English speaking peers in class and that will affect his grades. He can take Spanish later on to learn how to read it and write it like you did. I think that is the best way to do it.

Being bilingual is a great asset but being able to write and read well in English should be the priority since it is more relevant for his future academic success.

Answer 9

Yes, if he learns both at the same time, he will easily become bilingual. It will be a lot more difficult if he learns spanish at an older age.

Answer 10

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