STANDARD COURSE OF STUDY

ELEMENTARY GRADES K-2 (BEGINNING SEQUENCE)

Goal

In the K-2 Foreign Language at the Elementary School (FLES) program, the primary goal is the development of listening and speaking and cultural awareness through concrete experiences. However, one must not forget that language acquisition begins with listening. For this reason, "Successful language learning activities emphasize comprehension rather than speaking at the beginning stages" (Curtain and Pesola, 1988).

Content

Learners in Grades K-2 begin with content topics close to the self, the home, and the school. Topics can include family, friends, home, house, etc. The topics are selected from the K-2 school curriculum and are introduced in a meaningful communicative context involving concrete activities aimed at developing language and reinforcing content from other disciplines. Age appropriate literature, arts, music, and games are also an integral part of the K-2 second language program.

Communication

Most of the practice in the early grades is in a social setting. Children are involved in interpersonal communication by participating in simple faceto- face interactions with classmates, teachers, family, and visitors. They engage in interpretive communication by following directions and commands, and by demonstrating their understanding of simple questions, everyday words, and statements relating to their immediate environment.

They learn songs, recite poems, and give oral commands as they participate in presentational communication targeted to other students, parents, community members, other classes, and other teachers.

Reading and Writing

At this level, reading and writing are not introduced. Instead, emphasis is placed on the oral language development necessary for students to become good readers and writers later on. Students are introduced to story telling and story reading using big books and other predictable stories. In addition, they are surrounded by environmental print.

Grammar

Grammar is not ignored but is learned indirectly. Because grammar represents concepts which are too abstract for young children, it is acquired more effectively when it is from context and when attention is given to function rather than terminology.

Instructional Techniques

Successful language learning activities are geared to the children's interest level and motor skills. Because primary age children have a short attention span and tire quickly, instructional techniques are varied and are age appropriate. They involve large muscle physical activities such as Total Physical Response (TPR), concrete experiences and language experience approach (LEA), dramatic and role play, along with the use of visuals, manipulatives, realia, songs, games, and rhymes.

When available, realia, songs, games, and rhymes of the target culture(s) are incorporated as a way to gain some insight into other cultures.

Immersion Programs

In Immersion programs, the regular school curriculum is taught through the second language. In a full immersion program the curriculum is taught in the target language for the entire day, whereas in a partial immersion program only a part of the curriculum is delivered in the target language.

The goals and objectives which follow will have to be adapted for immersion programs. Because students use the language for longer and more frequent periods of time, they will develop higher levels of proficiency than their counterparts in a FLES program. In addition, the objectives of immersion also include those of the Standard Course of Study in all content areas at the appropriate grade level.

Dual Language

In Dual Language Programs students from two different language backgrounds receive academic instruction in two "target" languages. This Programs program also includes the grade level objectives of the Standard Course of Study in all content areas. The following Modern Foreign Language objectives will have to be adapted for dual language programs. In addition any ESL instructional objectives will be provided through the English Language Development Standard Course of Study.

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