I think yes, we REALLY need to concentrate on teaching English language skills, which the schools will, but parents NEED to help with this. Unfortunately, the school can not do everything for our children as far as education goes. At home, parents have to work hard at reading with their children, being around to promote homework completion, checking homework and practicing writing as well. This is something that I have witnessed that not all parents do and is troubling to me. Incomplete and late homework is not a child's fault in elementary school. We have to rely on ourselves to teach them, too! Set an example by reading in your own home every night for 30 minutes together and force the books - kids don't get to decide whether they want to read or not. Start the kitchen timer - that helps!!! Boys particularly need to be pushed. For my stepson who isn't interested in reading that much, I bought him funny books like Captain Underpants and now he enjoys reading it (without the timer). When it comes to writing/spelling, test your kids over and over again until they're blue in the face and they grasp it. Writing for fun is easy - a really good tip I learned from a co-worker - cut something out of a magazine and have your child write about what they see happening in the picture. Just like 3-5 sentences. They can start a diary or a storybook. We can all improve.

In my mind, there is NOTHING more important than my children's (and therefore all children)education, so I do not object to additional taxes for EDUCATIONAL reasons. Yes, our children should learn how to read and write in English, but again, my kids both graduated from Craig & they can read & write in English (and German) quite nicely...perhaps the 9 years in parochial schools had something to do with it, perhaps it has something to do with parents that were involved all the way with their children's education & lives. Our boys are not geniuses, but they have done very well in high school & are doing well in college.

Yes, learning new languages and cultures is great. BUT-shouldn't we first focus on teaching our students how to write and speak English better? AND, most importantly, how are we going to pay for this??? Can we say more taxes??!!

When our children were very young, we lived in Germany. We put our older son into a German Kindergarten (pre-school over there). He was totally immersed in German for several hours 5 days a week, for 6 months. He was 4.

We returned to the US and I tried to keep German alive for both of our boys--singing a German song at bedtime & teaching them to count & other basic words.

Then, our oldest goes to Craig. (Parochial grade school) He begins studying German. Soon after, he came home one day & asked me questions about the Kindergarten...he was have 'flashbacks'!

Since that time, the older son has won an award for his German pronounciation, is currently in college majoring in German & about to travel to Germany to study for a semester.

Our younger son also is majoring in German in college. Both boys have exceptional language skills that were learned when they were VERY VERY YOUNG.

This is a great program!

As a parent of a child in the Milton School District, this makes me a little jealous! But I'm happy for Jvle School District. It definitely makes it a more attractive district in my eyes! These are amazing opportunities for any child and I think it's great that they are teaching foreign language early in elementary school and exposing children to other cultures this early. This is an area where American children are lacking whether we like it or not or choose to admit it. I have noticed over the years that children that can speak more than one language early on do much better in general reading, writing and arithmetic as they go through school. Being able to grasp another language is a GREAT skill to have. Understanding other cultures also makes children more accepting as a person and open to new ideas. This doesn't change the national language of the USA, but allows children that are travelling to outside countries now or later in life to utilize those other language skills and grow as a person. My cousins in Germany learned to read, write and speak English by 2nd or 3rd grade. When I would visit him there, he was able to practice it with me and then when he'd visit the states, he'd practice it here. It doesn't take away from the curriculum in place, it adds more than you could imagine. Go Janesville! My compliments.

Ask the kids, most are very excited about learning a new language! I wish I had the time to learn a new one.
Hey, it's like learning how to use computer language.

rep_of_1,
Perhaps it was an innocent mistake on your part but you twisted my words. I was saying that TheJoker was resorting to hyperbole by saying that people who agree with this policy even if it means a minor increase in taxes are asking for unlimited increases in taxes. I then gave an example of how such hyperbole could be applied to TheJoker's opposition to come to a ridiculous conclusion.
I was given more than just a core education in public K-12 schools in WI, KS, and ID as well as at three separate UW's. Previous taxpayers heavily subsidized my education and allowed me to get a job making a good living. In addition to an education in mathematics, sciences, reading, and writing, I benefited from physical education classes, music classes, art, and foreign languages. I don't mind paying a little extra in taxes to help give students the same (or better) education I got. Hopefully, some day they will be successful enough to pay enough taxes to support the next generation.
I don't see foreign languages or music or art getting in the way of core classes, I think that they can be a part of providing kids with a solid foundation in the core classes. I have met many students from Western Europe (and even the former U.S.S.R) who receive a standard education that includes learning 3-4 languages as well as learning core skills at a more accelerated rate than U.S. students. If they can do it, I don't see why we can't.

So there are more people concerned that their kids might have to learn the language of a different culture than there are people concerned their children won't get the same opportunity. This is Janesville. Why am I not surprised.

So now we're going to add more homework to the list...hope all the parents of these kids are brushing up on their foreign languages because I can bet there will be at least another hour's worth for those classes...but I did like someone's suggestion of sign language :)

greengina8-scholarships are still given for sports through school, the exposure of sports through the school and the different divisions is huge. While it may take place after school, there are still things that focus around the games, etc during school. It's part of growing up and part of a tradition. I don't want to go off topic either, but even "sports clubs" at the college level get little attention or exposure. It will never happen.

What about offering sing language? In this area that would be more useful than french.

Well said Janesvillean (10:41 a.m.)

It's exciting that a wider variety of foreign languages will be offered during the years when children are at their peak in language development. They'll soak it up easily like little sponges. And what a fantastic foundation to build upon to better their marketability for advancement in a global economy. I wish the programs great success!

Are there any plans to offer Chinese at the high school level--or do they already? If not, then I see this use of federal grant money a complete and total waste!

Bubs wrote "you are asking that we eliminate funding for anything not taught on an ACT". I don't feel that is anywhere in line of the topic further more your idea of paying it forward would be to include the basics that were given in school are not included today. If you really want to pay it forward build a solid foundation in public education then look into possibility of foreign language. I could go on and on what I got from my public education but academics would be on the bottom of the list. Economics and politics make up the JSD. Times ahead are not going to be pretty for some if not all of us. The idea that extras are being dished out in a lottery is a slap in the face.

Sorry, I know my recent comment is off topic. I'll remember this for future posts. ;)

Spark- The sports would not be taken away from the kids; they would still be offered but not funded by the school. It would be a community club as opposed to a school club. But I disagree when you say there will be more problems if you take sports out of school. These activities take place after school already. What would it hurt if another entity paid for them?

As a mom of 2 preschoolers, I was very excited when I read this article. I've looked into trying to find private classes to teach them foreign languages and not had luck finding much for choices or affordability. I think learning a foreign language can only help expand their education, and yes the short-term results won't be nearly as large as the long-term, but I think our kids are worth it. Also - for those who want it to be offered to all kids in the district - the article mentioned that because of school choice it would in fact be offered to anyone.

I agree this should not be a lottery; it should be an opportunity for all.

The logic that a five year old child should choose what he/she wants to learn is a little frightening...

I’m hesitant to believe this issue has risen due to a caucus of concerned kindergarteners demanded they learn Chinese after nap time/before recess. If my parents asked me if I wanted to take extracurricular foreign language classes at that age, I would have declined. Now, understanding the importance and usefulness; I really wish I had the opportunity. Even if the opportunity was available back then, I don’t think my parents would have been able to afford it.

I also do not see the acquisition of a second language as any threat to the beloved English language; I wish some of this paranoia would recede a bit.

I am not sure where I stand on the issue of even offering these classes in elementary school yet. The one thing that the article stated that I do have a problem with is the choice of the students being admitted to the chinese program. Was anyone else bothered by the word "lottery"?
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Sorry, but little Straight A Susie can't take chinese. Her number wasn't chosen. Little struggling to get a C Bobby however, he can take it if he would like to.
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And before anyone starts with the "Little Bobby might have other issues and that shouldn't be held against him" I don't care. Let little Bobby work out his issues with a therapist not take away a spot for a child that would actually benefit from the course.
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I apologize to anyone actually named Bobby or Susie. The names were chosen arbitrarily.

Generally I don't usually follow along with Jokers comments even though I believe his resources come from a crystal ball. However, I have to agree with the direction Joker is taking this article. I too, fail to see the need to spend money tax payers money teaching grade school foreign language. If you ask me, why don't the students that are interested in learning a foreign language so badly pay a tutor or other service at their own expense?
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“English is the key to full participation in the opportunities of American life.”

We are not calling for unlimited increases in taxes any more than you are asking that we eliminate funding for anything not taught on an ACT. I am simply saying that a minor increases in taxes to fund programs such as this one are not a bad thing and I willing to pay a bit more in taxes to fund those things. I benefited from taxpayers funding schools when I attended them, I see it as my duty to pay it forward.
Foreign languages already are taught in the private sector. Private tutors or Rosetta Stone can be bought to teach If we don't give students a chance to learn some foreign language through the public schools, then only kids with parents with sufficient money and interest in their children will benefit. A public opportunity to learn this skill set will (presumably) benefit more children.
I don't think we need to teach any and every foreign language that kids are interested in. Spanish, French, and German are three of the more common language. At a minimum, 1-2 of these languages should be taught at some point in K-12 (the earlier the better as it is easier to learn foreign languages as a child). For larger districts, like Janesville, a less common, more less common foreign language such as Russian, Arabic, or Mandarin could be taught. The benefit of a language like this is that they aren't Germanic or Latin based and will help kids with an interest in foreign languages get exposed to things such as cases or tonal languages.

Actually, Joker... at the elementary school that my kids go to, they celebrate Christmas not as Christmas, but as the holidays that surround that time frame... Hanukkah, Kwanza, and Christmas. So, yes, because a few people complained there no longer "Christmas" sings, they are holiday sings sung in different languages.
The children of society today will be taking care of us in the future... don't we want them as well rounded as possible?

JanesvilleHopeless and Bubs, so you think we should just keep on raising taxes? NO worry about the amount of taxes we pay? Wow, that is really scary. I guess the sky is the limit. With your logic, we should also fund more for the sports programs, more for band, drama,etc.

Let me ask, what is wrong with offering languages in the private sector rather than the public sector? If a few students want to learn Russian, should we offer that too? You sound like one of those people who believes if one student or parent object to Christmas or Halloween in school, we should respond to their objection and cancel holiday themed activities.

TheJoker,
What language is spoken in the U.S. is a bad question. There are lots of languages spoken in the U.S. I speak English, sometimes Spanish, and every great once in a while a little Russian. I also know some basic ASL and use that show additional courtesy towards the deaf and hard of hearing by using it when possible. There are regions of the united states where English is not the primary language such as places in the southwest and some "Indian" reservations. Some places in the Southwest, for example, have their roots in the Mexican/Spanish culture just as much or more than they roots in the Western European tradition.
I am all for paying more taxes to support schools. The amount of money we're talking about is not large on an individual taxpayer and I'm not asking for a selfish reason (i.e. no kids). I simply see education as a great investment in our children and our society and see programs such as foreign language, music, art, and gym as part of that investment, not as a hindrance.
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spark,
The status of a national language is generally given by the legislature to a language that they feel has particular ties to the people or territory of a country. An official language is a designation that essentially requires that state business be done in that language. The United States has never legislated a national nor an official language.

Joker, don't get me wrong, it's very clear that you think you know what you are talking about. English is the most common language here in the US, of course, but the world is a bit larger than the US of A. Many countries do teach English as a second language; but that should not excuse our national laziness.

Also, I believe this article was about children here learning a second language; not "those foreigners" refusal to learn English.

"If I went to Germany to live and work, I would have to learn German.

I think you are missing the point."

Actually, I think you're making my point, as well as missing it yourself. Maybe in 15 years or so, these children would like to work in Germany, China, or somewhere outside of Janesville, or with an international company within Janesville. I have worked in Germany myself, and do not speak German. I got by, but did feel quite belittled in meetings that had to be translated to me.

Providing foreign language is not a luxury in a developed country—or most developing countries for that matter. To not provide it would actually be furthering the hindrance.

Somehow this always falls back on all these “bad teachers”…. Our education problems would be solved if we just had better teachers, who teach better information (but much less of it of course), and work for cookies? Taxpayers do pay for public education services; you’re quite correct, and since you are no longer in elementary school (I assume), I understand your frustration as you would not directly be reaping the benefits of these programs—and don’t think you’ll be getting what you pay for.

It’s an investment which will provide few immediate, short-term results, and many don’t care or have the patience to see what good will come of them in the future. We should be kids every opportunity to succeed in the future; not limit them to the “basics” we were taught “back in my day”.

Sorry Janesville hopeless, but English is the most common and is a universal language. I know what I am talking about. You have a lot of nerve to call me racist and against foreigners. If people come here for a different country and want to live and work, they need to learn English. If I went to Germany to live and work, I would have to learn German.

I think you are missing the point. Learning new languages and culture is a great thing. But who is going to pay for it? Us taxpayers! The school district is nuts if they think they can implement this now. I would suggest they start improving the teaching of the courses that are already offered before they bring in new "luxury courses". Like others have said, these courses should be taught outside of school and should be offered to those who are willing to pay for them. The same goes for sports and band and things of that nature.

greengina-You take away sports from a school level and you will see way worse problems. Education should always be first, but sports also teach kids discipline, hard work and keep kids healthy and out of trouble while attending school. Whether other countries subscribe to this or not, this is America and sports are part of this country.

I hope all schools, here and elsewhere, can adopt programs like these. And on a similar note, I believe extra sports like football(not phy ed) should be done outside of school and not in school or as a school activity. This would allow for that money spent on expensive uniforms to be used on educational materials. That way people who wanted to participate would do so for a community club. I believe it's this way in foreign countries, many of which who do better academically than the US.

"Sorry but English is the most common and spoken language in the world"

Actually, Mandarin is the most widely spoken native language in the world, followed by Hindustani, Spanish, and then English—although some estimates put English before Spanish.

English may be the most common SECOND language in the world; but I still fail to see how that rationalizes the idea that there is some sort of advantage for Americans to be monolingual.

The xenophobia and self-righteousness shown by many of you provide little wonder as to why we cannot keep up with the rest of the developed world in education standards.

Learning a foreign language only helps with understanding of ones mother tongue, and learned at such a young age would be far easier than later in life.

As far as this “warm fuzzy crap” interfering with kids’ abilities to learn math, science, etc.—Most developed countries (those who far surpass the US in math, science, etc.) generally learn a second and third language before they are high school aged.

If many of you are concerned in our education status as you claim, you’d probably think it’d be worth the investment for future generations—not discredit it as more “wasteful spending”.

I do agree with packfan66—if taxpayers are paying for this, it should be offered at all schools, or programs should be in place to give all in the district the same opportunity—although the roadblocks for such a program are fairly evident in this community.

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for teaching kids new things and not against it at all. English is the most spoken language in the U.S. however, and I believe everyone living here should try and learn the language.

I wish I'd have had the opportunity in school to learn Mandarin Chinese. Then maybe I'd have understood the curse words they used in Firefly/Serenity, LOL! If you don't get the joke, don't worry about it. You have to be kind of a sci-fi geek to understand.

In all seriousness, I'm all for offering multiple foreign languages as electives, starting in grade school. But, I would hope those same languages are taught all the way through high school, rather than only offering them at grade school level. Learning other languages, as Bubs mentioned, can help with learning the finer points of English.

But, with that said, there is an appalling lack of focus on teaching students how to properly communicate in English in this country. Regardless of the language spoken at home, not being able to read and write English in this country is a huge obstacle to overcome. While I'm as guilty as the next person of butchering the King's English on occasion, I'm aware that doing so often makes the speaker or writer come across as less intelligent.

Take for example some of the posters in these discussions. I have no doubt that the majority of people here are fairly intelligent. Yet, due to misspelled words, syntax errors, and typos they "sound" as though they barely got through 3rd grade English class. Sure, some of it is due to laziness or being in a hurry and thus not proofreading the post being made. But, I would guess many times it is just that the person isn't aware they are not spelling correctly or that they are misplacing a comma.

I read some time ago that English is one of the hardest languages to learn. I'd have to say I agree with that statement. Many of the "rules" don't make a lick of sense. But, it is what it is. I guess my point, if there is one to be made, is that I hope they don't sacrifice English curriculum to make room for foreign languages. Rather, I'd hope they increase the focus on oral and written communication. Sure, science and math are very important as well but even a genius physicist must be able to communicate his findings.

spark- The US has no official language.

I think that this program is a wonderful opportunity for children. The ability of elementary aged children to pick up a foreign language is much greater than even a high school student. As a college student struggling to learn Italian now, I wish I would have had this opportunity when I went to Harrison.

Bubs- What is the national language of the United States?

I have said it numerous times in posts and well, I'm going to say it again. Although learning these languages may give our students the ability to find, what some may call, higher paying jobs with corporations.......I feel that we should be teaching sign language in our schools. Frankly, I believe there are more sign speaking individuals in this area than there are strictly Mandarin Chinese or German.

Bubs, I am not going to get into a silly discussion with you. I know you agree with my points. Sorry but English is the most common and spoken language in the world. It is our national language. Question, what language is spoken in the United States? Answer: English.

Also Bubs, sounds like you have no problem having your taxes raised. I just do not understand the mentality of people in this city. Sure, let's have 10 different languages offered in the school district, give all teachers raises, buy new band uniforms every year, build a water park in Janesville, build a children's museum in Janesville, build a tunnel under Milwaukee Street,etc. Oh wait, how will we pay for it?!

I would like a new car every year, an inground pool, be able to travel all around the world, a yacht....wait, how I can pay for these things? Oh, I can't afford it. DING DING!! That is the correct answer. Janesville cannot afford everything it would like. Why can't the school district tighten it's belt like everyone else?

American English is spoken in the United States of America. If your going to learn a language to communicate with the majority Americans teach English. Teach our youth acceptance and pride of our own nation, America. There are many that have the same feelings as I do it's just not the in crowd.

A couple clarifications for TheJoker.
- Proper English requires that one capitalizes and uses periods in the word "I.Q."
- While some people consider English the de facto national language of the United States, it is not.
- While you might be able to argue that English is the most dominant language in the world, I do believe that Mandarin and possibly Arabic are more common.
I could go on, but hopefully you get the point.

This is great news. I am the parents of two children learning Chinese (at Roosevelt and Edison), and I think they are doing great! The big question I have is whether the middle school teaching of Chinese will be continued. The article mentioned high school, but said nothing about middle school.

whoanellie,
Calling English "our" language implies that if you don't speak English, you aren't one of us. There are a lot of things that make someone an American, the ability to speak English is nowhere on my list. Many deaf people do not speak English (ASL has it's own vocabulary, grammar, and syntax) but I still consider them Americans. Learning a foreign language (English) is difficult for some people, I don't hold it against them so long as they love this country, work hard, etc.
While I wouldn't necessarily call your previous post ignorant or racist (as I don't know you), it certainly appears to be xenophobic at least. You classifying people as "us" and "them" based on their primary language or where they come from.
While we do need to worry about kids understanding the basics, we don't need to exclude classes like art, gym, music, or foreign language. These classes can sometimes even help kids learn skills that they can apply in the classroom. Kids who play music are learning another language, practicing their math skills, practicing a form of reading, and learning to work as a group. There are some interesting links between things you can learn in art class (proportion, perspective, shapes, etc.) that carry over into mathematics. Gym helps kids burn off extra energy and sometimes helps them learn to work as a team or gain a sense of accomplishment, etc. Learning foreign languages can help kids use English more effectively, give them the opportunity to practice reading skills and writing skills.
I am extremely concerned about how far behind other cultures the United States is falling, especially in mathematics and science. Increased knowledge and skills in these areas, however, should not come at the expense of the American worker's ability to think creatively and innovate. I, for one, think that we can get kids to perform better in core subjects while still honing skills and possibly having a good time learning "warm fuzzy crap."

I continue to be amazed at the low iq of school officials. I would suggest the school district focus on teaching all of the students how to speak and write English first. This is our national language and the most dominant and common language used in our country and the world. Many of our young people in Janesville lack good grammar and communication skills. ALL students need to learn English, whether they speak another language or not. This is how they will succeed.

There is nothing wrong with learning different languages and cultures. But we need to learn how to speak english first. Regardless, spending money and resources on the amoung of foreign languages at this time in our school district is insane and should be stopped. Foreign language offerings are a luxury for students and we can not afford to spend money in this area.

Why is it ignorant or racist to suggest we teach these people english?? It is after all our language. That being said, I really wish we would concentrate more on teaching the fundamental, reading, writing and math, because they are sometimes left behind all this warm fuzzy crap they try to do. Our kids need those bsasics in elementary school if they want to suceed in the higher grades, a foreign language is not going to help them. Sure it might be fun, but not if they fail in those other basics. We as a nation are getting so far behind the other countries in scholastic scores, let's not waste money on this. Teachers need to teach the basics.

How nice. The start of the article hopes this will give families more of a reason to move to Janesville. I believe what will draw families to a city/town is the economic's the town provides. This being jobs, stability of employment, cost of living etc. Secondly I read further that the district is looking further into this but the area of funding and cost was not discussed. Why not look at what the cost is expected to be how the cost will be covered and present that to the board and then look at how the program would develope from that. We get all warm fuzzy feelings about good ideas but we seem not to worry about the cost til after the programs are approved and then the shoe falls.

I see this as a great opportunity for kids. I hope that my younger brother will be able to participate in this program while he is young and there will be more benefits. Hopefully, if it is successful, more students will be able to participate.
Learning foreign languages has lots of added benefits besides being able to communicate with people from other cultures without the arrogant assumption that they all need to learn English.
Studying Spanish helped understand English verb tenses better (preterit, imperfect, conditional, etc.) Studying Russian helped me understand English cases better. Studying two foreign languages (plus a little French) has made it much easier for me to learn the basics of other foreign languages.
Obviously kids need to focus on fundamentals like reading, writing, mathematics, science, and history/social studies but we shouldn't ignore the benefits of classes like art, music, physical education, and foreign languages.
I would have loved to have been exposed to Mandarin as a child so that I would have an easier time learning tonal languages or German so that Russian cases had been easier to learn.

whoanellie, almost all children of immigrants have much better English skills than their parents. Those who have difficulty learning English are generally already past the point of the primary school system -- those who immigrated as adults. The language center of the brain is most open to learning second or third languages during childhood and adolescence.
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When my grandfather was tutoring a Vietnamese family, he was barely needed by the kids. It was the mother who benefited the most from his instruction, and years later the father was still struggling.
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That said, there are already English as a Second Language (English Language Learner) programs teaching dozens of students in Janesville schools.
http://academics.uww.edu/coe/specialprog...

"Whoanellie"- nice job on writing one of the most ignorant, borderline racist paragraphs I have read in a long time. Not only that, but your comments have nothing to do with offering students more foreign language options in our schools.......nice work!

What subject area is this time coming out of? Is it for all students or gifted and talented? Behn is certainly the queen of charter schools, but has a difficult time supporting current curriculum!

I guess the only comment I have is that, assuming the school district is going to ask the taxpayers to fund this new program, we should offer the program in some form to all grade-school-age students in the city. My child goes to a school that is not going to be offered the option of advance learning of a foreign language, thus putting my child behind upon entering middle and high school. If you're going to do it for some, and you're going to ask all to pay, better do it for all.

How about we offer english classes to these students whose parents have chosen to live in the USA!! My ancestors came here and learned the language so they could become citizens of the US. That is our language, learn to speak it. Don't give me the crap about it not being the "official language" because we all know it is. We have never spoken anything else. It's just recently we started catering to others languages.