Content-Connected FLES Curriculum

Teaching younger students foreign language in an effective manner has become a basic part of school curriculums.  But this populatiuon needs particular kinds of instruction for greatest success.  Developing an appropriate curriculum for elementary-school foreign language learners involves a number of key points, as described below:

COMMUNICATION, in which students actively speak and write in languages other than English
Students engage in conversations, provide and obtain information, express feelings and emotions, and exchange opinions.  Students understand and interpret written and spoken languge on a variety of topics. Students present information, concepts, and ideas to an audience of listeners or readers on a variety of topics.

CULTURES, in which students gain knowledge and understanding of other cultures
Students demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the practices and perspectives of the culture studied. Students demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the products and perspectives of the culture studied.

COMMUNITIES, in which students participate in multilingual communities at home & around the world.
Students use the lanuage both within and beyond the school setting. Students show evidence of becoming life-long learners by using the language for personal enjoyment and enrichment.

Each of the areas listed above involvs its own set of goals for each grade level (K - 5).  An educational consultant can be instrumental in assessing that the right goals are in place for each grade level, and help consult on ways to bring about meaningful student engagement, iinterest, and progress.