Establishing High-Quality Foreign Language Programs in Elementary Schools. Perspectives on Policy and Practice.

Using information from seven model programs that provide foreign language instruction to elementary and middle school students, this publication addresses common questions from administrators, educators, and parents who are considering establishing early foreign language programs in their communities. Questions examine the following issues: reasons to teach foreign language in the elementary school; whether foreign language should be part of the core curriculum; whether foreign language programs are suitable for poorly-funded districts; whether students with disabilities should study foreign language; how schools or districts determine which language to teach; how a program can be sustained over time; characteristics of successful programs; which program model is best; how foreign language study can be included in the curriculum without adding time to the school day; whether there is a need to hire a separate foreign language teacher; how new students are added to language classes without hindering the progress of students already in the program; what happens to elementary students who want to continue their language study at a middle school where most students in their grade are just beginning; and whether distance or video instruction is a good way of teaching language. A list of resources, including Web-based resources, is included. (SM)