Language Education in Elementary Schools: Meeting the Needs of the Nation

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Language Education in Elementary Schools: Meeting the Needs of the Nation
Language: English
Authors: Rubio, Fernando
Source: Foreign Language Annals. Spr 2018 51(1):90-103.
Availability: Wiley-Blackwell. 350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148. Tel: 800-835-6770; Tel: 781-388-8598; Fax: 781-388-8232; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 14
Publication Date: 2018
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Elementary Education
Descriptors: Second Language Learning, Second Language Instruction, Elementary School Students, Immersion Programs, FLES, Teaching Methods, Sequential Approach, Program Descriptions, Articulation (Education), Language Proficiency, Advanced Students, Access to Education, Financial Support, Human Resources, Program Development, Second Language Programs
DOI: 10.1111/flan.12313
ISSN: 0015-718X
Abstract: This article briefly reviews the social, political, and economic context that explains the present status of elementary language education in the United States and addresses the challenges identified by recent reports on the state of language education in the United States. Different curricular models of world language education--exploratory, sequential, and immersion--are discussed in regard to their ability to meet the need, expressed by the profession, to provide universal access to language education and produce graduates who have advanced levels of language proficiency. The article argues that in order to be successful, elementary programs have to be built with support and input from a variety of stakeholders, with careful consideration of the financial and human resources needed and with long-term articulation plans. A state-supported immersion program is used to illustrate how the integration of all these factors can lead to successful and scalable programs.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2018
Accession Number: EJ1172866
Database: ERIC
Full text is not displayed to guests.
Description
Abstract:This article briefly reviews the social, political, and economic context that explains the present status of elementary language education in the United States and addresses the challenges identified by recent reports on the state of language education in the United States. Different curricular models of world language education--exploratory, sequential, and immersion--are discussed in regard to their ability to meet the need, expressed by the profession, to provide universal access to language education and produce graduates who have advanced levels of language proficiency. The article argues that in order to be successful, elementary programs have to be built with support and input from a variety of stakeholders, with careful consideration of the financial and human resources needed and with long-term articulation plans. A state-supported immersion program is used to illustrate how the integration of all these factors can lead to successful and scalable programs.
ISSN:0015-718X
DOI:10.1111/flan.12313