Language Learning
Which language should my child take?
This is really a very personal decision, that depends upon many factors. Some parents choose a language based on their own cultural heritage. Others choose a language because they studied it in high school or college, and they have a special affection for that particular language and culture. Others choose a language because they feel it will give their child a certain advantage or leg up in the world. Some parents choose a language for their child because they just think it will be fun to travel to that particular country or they see their families spending time in countries where that language is spoken. And, sometimes, a child develops his or her own interest in learning a specific language because a friend speaks that language or there is a favorite television show or book.
What if I don’t speak the language my child is learning?
Don’t worry! There is no expectation that parents already speak the target language. There is, however, an expectation that you will help your child as much as you can using the at-home reinforcement materials that we provide.
Do they really learn to speak the language?
YES, they do! You will be amazed! But, be patient! The program is designed to build a solid foundation in the target language so that the child will eventually become fluent. There is a lot of repetition in class, and it may seem, at times, that we move slowly. Remember, our goal is that your child become fluent!
Do you use immersion in your classes?
Good question. We use a method we called “modified immersion.” By this, we mean that 60-70% of the class will be in the target language. We want the children to develop an ear for the target language and immerse them as much as possible, but we also want them to feel comfortable. Therefore, much of the class is taught in the target language but sometimes we need to use English. This often happens when we are explaining an activity or game. Also, English is sometimes used more often in the Chinese classes than in the European languages because the sounds of Chinese are so very, very different from English. We find it helps the children to adjust better if we use just a bit more English.
Is it hard?
It may seem hard for you or me to think about learning a new language. However, learning a language when you are very young is not. In fact, all the research shows that the earlier a child starts learning another language the easier it is for him or her to develop a native accent and become fluent. Besides, our classes are designed to be fun! There is no drilling in our classes. Instead, the kids play games to learn and practice their target language.
What is the best age to start?
The younger the better!
One World Classes and Teachers
What are the goals and expectations for each of your class levels?
Each age grouping and level not only has a different name, it also has different goals and expectations based on what is developmentally appropriate at that time in a child’s life and level of language acquisition. Our philosophy is that the acquisition of a second language should follow the same developmental steps as the acquisition of the child’s first language. Thus, emphasis in the Trailblazer program (ages 3-7) is placed on listening, then understanding, and finally beginning speaking.
Explorer (beginners ages 8+) students are still young and beginning students. They also follow the same developmental steps but reading and writing is introduced as children this age become more dependent upon the written word as a tool for learning and understanding.
At the Traveler level (advanced beginners ages 10+) , students are secure in the understanding and emergent speech stage, so they focus on expanding their beginning knowledge with more vocabulary and complex structures. Speaking, reading, and writing become more independent. It is at this level where children become comfortable with their target language and start to take more risks in their communication. They extend themselves beyond the simple vocabulary and structures that have been taught in class.
Voyager students (intermediate learners ages 12+)are in their final years of Middle School or early High School. These students are an advanced group of language learners. They use a high school level textbook with the intention of solidifying their knowledge of grammar, acquiring more complex structures, and broadening their vocabulary.
At the College Prep level (advanced learners ages 14+) some of the curricula may diverge quite a bit from language-to-language based on the particular College Prep exam the students of the particular language may take. In any case, the College Prep class uses materials that are generally used in first-year university courses. There may be a lot of review for these students, but the goal is to solidify their foundation and extend it at a university level.
If my child takes a One World class for several years, what level can I expect him or her to attain?
We take a long-term approach in our curriculum. Our goal is for your child to become highly proficient in his or her target language. For each language, the specifics for attaining this goal can vary based on the nature of the particular language. In designing the overall curriculum, we have taken into account College Prep exams such as the AP, the SAT II, exams given in the target language country, private high school language classes, and university language classes.
In terms of our experience and success, we have several students who have "graduated" from our program at age 16 who have taken language courses at the University of New Hampshire during their junior and senior years in high school. These students have received "A"s in these rigorous college language classes and took them at least 2 years before their high school peers would take similar classes.
Is the curriculum aligned between the levels?
Absolutely! The Trailblazer classes focus entirely on speaking, listening, and understanding, but the target language content is material that the students will see again at the Explorer level. Each level, after the Trailblazer program, is two years or 30-weeks. For the most part, the students will use two sets of textbooks and work through the material thematically, so there is some skipping around. At each level, students will study many of the same themes but as they get older and more advanced in their language learning the thematic material will extend in terms of grammar, vocabulary, and communication skills. We do this to create a “spiral” throughout the entire program. In other words, at each level students will review or be familiar with some of the material but will also be challenged by extensions in grammar, vocabulary, and communication skill development.
What do you mean by “spiraling curriculum”?
By “spiraling curriculum”, we mean that material will be introduced in one context and, then, later the same material will return in a different context and with more vocabulary, grammar, and communication skill development.
What is a “games-based” approach?
A “games-based” approach means that we use games in the classroom to teach, reinforce, and practice the material. Our games are designed to get the students to understand and/or talk in the target language, and they are designed so that using the target language makes sense in the context of the game.
Who are the teachers?
Our teachers are all either native speakers or speakers with native-level fluency who have teaching experience. Teachers are also mentored by the One World Language School. They also attend One World Language School workshops. Several of our teachers have been teaching with us for more than 2 years.
Registration
How do I register my child?
To register your child, contact Julie Reece at julie.reece@oneworldlanguageschool.org. Julie will send you registration information.
Is it possible to enroll after classes start?
It is certainly possible to join a class after the classes start. In fact, in the Trailblazer classes, the curriculum is designed in such a way so that children can join at any time. In the other levels, joining late can depend on a number of factors. Contact Julie Reece at julie.reece@oneworldlanguageschool.org for more information.
How long are classes?
Trailblazer classes are 45 minutes. Explorer, Traveler, Voyager and College Prep classes are 1 hour. Classes meet once a week and run for 30 weeks during the academic year.
What if my child doesn’t like the class and he/she drops out? Can I get a refund?
We have a drop-out period that lasts for a few weeks. During this time, refunds are given but you would be responsible for a $50 administrative fee and for a per class attended amount. After the drop-out period, there are no refunds given.
One World Teaching Kits and Programs
Is it possible to buy your curriculum materials?
Absolutely! We are offering One World Language Teaching Kits that can be used by teachers and homeschooling parents.
Is it possible for your teachers and program to come to my school?
YES! We can establish a One World Program at your school. Your school can benefit from our expertise in teaching and managing a language program. Plus, your school would have access to a broad range of curriculum offerings.
How would it work to have a One World Program in my child’s school?
We would work with you and your school administration to figure out what format would work best for your school. For example, we could offer our only our Spanish program after-school one day a week for 12-18 week periods, or we could provide Spanish, French, German, and Chinese classes twice week, after school, for a shorter period. In some cases, we have done a short pilot program first to gauge interest and build enthusiasm and then come back with a longer program. This all depends on what the families in your community and your school administration want in terms of a language program.
We would then manage the entire program at the school, of course keeping your school administration in the loop! This means that we would handle the registration, the financial assistance program, the teachers, the teaching materials, the parent materials and communication, and we would send a site director to make sure everything runs smoothly on class days.
What about children in our school who cannot afford your classes?
The One World Language School is fully committed to providing language and cultural education around the world, fostering mutual understanding and friendship. Therefore, we could commit 10% of the revenue from the program in your school towards scholarships for children in your school. Further, we have worked with other schools and have seen a lot of successful fundraising activities. We would certainly share these experiences with you.
How can I get the ball rolling to get a One World Program in my school?
Contact Julie Reece at julie.reece@oneworldlanguageschool.org or (603) 866-0364.
