FCPS Early Foreign Language Programs
To better prepare students for the 21st century, Fairfax County Public Schools offer three types of foreign language programs in elementary schools: two-way immersion, partial immersion and Foreign Language in the Elementary Schools (FLES).
In addition to the many benefits of foreign language, these programs are critical in helping students reach advanced proficiency and obtaining cultural competence. To see the programs in action, check out the videos from the FCPS World Languages website:
• Video on partial immersion
• Video on FLES
Two-Way Immersion Program
Spanish and English literacy skills are the focus of the two-way immersion kindergarten program at Bailey's, Lake Anne, London Towne and Rose Hill elementary schools.
Kindergarten classes enroll 50 percent native-English speakers and 50 percent native-Spanish speakers so that students can learn literacy skills in their native language as well as the second language during the other half of the full-day kindergarten program.
The goals of the program are to develop literacy skills in both Spanish and English and to succeed academically in both languages. For more information on two-way immersion visit the FCPS World Languages website.
Partial-Immersion Program
Elementary students are able to learn French, German, Japanese and Spanish at 13 elementary schools offering partial immersion.
Students learn math, science, and health through the target language during half the school day. Elementary immersion students may continue their language study in designated middle and high schools.
Students successfully completing the 7th-grade Immersion 1 earn a high school credit and the same is true for the 8th-grade Immersion 2. Immersion students enter high school in Level 3 of the target language in 9th-grade.
Overall goals of the program are to develop students' communicative and academic proficiency in the target language and in English and for students to succeed academically in all subject areas at levels comparable to those they would have reached if they had been schooled only in English.
Another benefit of the program is that students develop multicultural awareness and a more global perspective. The program is aimed at enriching all the students in the school via special exhibits, outside speakers, and other cultural activities. For more information on partial immersion visit the FCPS World Languages website.
Foreign Language in the Elementary School (FLES) Program
FLES is offered in 32 schools across Fairfax County. This model develops students' language proficiency by providing language instruction that supports the concepts taught in the subject areas at the respective grade level.
Generally, programs have 30 minutes of instruction two or three times a week which is articulated through the middle school and high school. It is based on the research that shows that students are not only able to learn but are also highly engaged in learning content through the target language.
In addition, the culture of the target language is integrated into instruction. This model supports the five goal areas of the national standards for foreign language (communication, culture, connections, comparisons, and communities) and is aligned with the Virginia SOL for foreign languages.
For more information and the list of schools offering FLES, visit the FCPS World Languages website.
