RI elementary schools should include World Languages: Letters
Elementary students should be introduced to World Languages What if children in Rhode Island had the opportunity to start learning another language in kindergarten instead of waiting until middle or high school? As someone who speaks Spanish and Portuguese, has a Master's degree in World Language Education, and is a mother, I believe this is an idea worth considering. First, I want to recognize the hard work of our schools, teachers and administrators. My intention is not to criticize what schools are doing, but to share an idea that could create opportunities for our students. In many schools, students begin learning a world language in middle or high school. I wonder what would happen if we introduced languages much earlier, starting in elementary school. My interest in this topic also comes from my family experience. Spanish and Portuguese were spoken in our home when my son was growing up. However, much of his exposure outside the home was in English. He watched television in English, listened to music in English and experienced English in many parts of his daily life. When he started school, his teachers initially thought English was his second language. Watching him grow up surrounded by three
