Spanish Taught in Elementary school Over English ?!?!?

[MommaCollins]

My 4yr old daughter is in Pre School in a Public school, She attended a private head start program last year.  When she was in Head Start she learned to count to 10, sing her ABC's and learned her primary colors.  It was amazing what she learned especially since she had never been to a social setting like that before.  She started to share with others more and her social skills were excellent.  Now, that she has transferred to the Pre-K class at the local public school I  have feel that her skills have been tainted.  All summer i would ask her to Count to 10 even got her to count to 20 at times with assistance and she did great, Now when i ask her She starts off in SPANISH not ENGLISH  I am furious!  I live in America I expect for her to learn a Spanish/french or something in high school or possibly middle school but PRE-SCHOOL really is it necessary?

What is your opinion on this matter?  Please don't take this as racism I am okay with her learning another language just not so early when she barley can use proper English at this age.     

[shanster89]

Language is best learned young because it is easier to learn it actually. Young kids who learn a different language are better in the long run because they retain the information longer and understand it better than people who learn it in HS.

Take this, I took 4 years of Spanish in HS. I am now 4 years out of HS; and the only thing I remember are the very basics of the language. A lot of schools offer it now at younger ages because it's simply easier for a 2 year old to learn Spanish, than it is for a 12 year old.

[mc1962]

I think it is a way of the times and it is better to get as much language skills as possible.  I live in Southern California and the fact of the matter is that the state is almost half hispanic and one should get as much education as possible regardless of what type.

I love this country and think we can all work together to exchange skills, languages, and cultures.  You need to encourage your grandkids to excel in all available aspects of what is available

[yosav]

english, we live in america

[lucylaw]

This is America and our language is English. I would expect English to be taught as the primary language!!!!!!  If I lived in another country I would expect that I would learn their primary language.

[bowrunner]

It is true that it is easier to learn another language when very young but we live in the USA and English is the primary language.  Little kids need to learn English first.  If it's more difficult to learn Spanish in high school, so be it.  English should come first.

[shanster89]

Okay guys, obviously she's learning English at school. But maybe Spanish is her last class or they go over it just a bit more than English since it's harder to learn a new language. Besides English isn't the national language of america. There is NO national language. Also, children learn what they hear the most. So as long as her mom speaks English at home as her primary language she'll be okay.

[dreamyxo]

Be thankful she is leaning it early.  The sooner the better.  Students that learn another language early have advantages over students who don't learn it early.  Sure this is America but if you haven't noticed America is changing whether you like it or not.  Hispanics will be the dominant group in the decades to come.  In 30 years Spanish might be the "unofficial, official language" in the US.  Adapt or die.

[MommaCollins]

Thank you all for the replies.  I do know that it is easier to learn a language at a younger age, but I am still an American as in my child and we should know how to speak write and understand our native language before we learn a foreign one.  I would like for her to learn a second language after she can speak proper English. 

Also I have now talked to her teacher and learned that they are not teaching her in school.  I allow her to watch dora so this is at fault of my own for letting her watch that show but it is her favorite and she is learning.  My mind is now set at ease and I still like the opinions that were given here.  Thank You again. 

[lannl]

I think its great that they are teaching spanish. it is so hard to learn a new language. Best at a young age to learn. More opportunities as bi lingual

[FiendArtix]

english should be the primary lang.

[delgadoe]

there is nothing wrong with her learning another language at this age. It is better to learn another language at an early age because it is easier. Whatever skills she is being taught in spanish she will be able to transfer over to the english language. the education system in other countries makes students learn another language at an early age they dont wait until students reach high school.

[tashamjoy]

I can see you thinking why not english but this is the age she will absorb the language and the best time she will learn english for sure living in america so do not worry about that but this is REALLY the best time for another language but i can see you thinking she needs to learn english but this is really good when i have kids they are learning another language as a child not sure what language yet but there will be one BE GREATFUL SERIOUSLY not trying to be mean

[tantricia44]

I understand your concerns about this language issue.I think that American children should be taught the country's language first but they should also start learning other languages at an early age & not just Spanish multiple lang. The US is a melting pot of different cultures & English is not the only lang spoken.Please get w/her teachers & find out exactly what the educational criteria is in her school.I also suggest that you bend a little & try 2learn a little spanish w/ur child.Children that r bilingual do better in school,have higher IQ's than other children that lack this skill.Very
young kids r like sponges,they absorb everything.Kids aren't afraid 2learn new things b/c 2them it's a game.To the older student or adult it's work & hard.If you look at foreign kids & students esp. Asians they usually have 3 to 5 languages under belt.English is always stressed as an important language to learn in Asian countries b/c they deai w/US people in their businesses & many areas.Learning 2 languages is nothing compared 2what Asian kids learn b/c they do not live in 1 nation.If you're Korean,u have 2know ur neighbor's language 2.So,the poor kid b4 he reaches his teens should've under his belt,langs of Korean,Ti,Japanese,Chinese,English,Tagalog,Arabic,etc.So,yes monitor what your kid learns but make sure it's for right reasons & that it will give her the advantages later in life.I'm passionate a/o languages b/c my own parents wanted me 2b Americanize & learn English.I never really learned my own native language & when I visit relatives I feel like an outsider.My parents gave me a disadvantage by never teaching me my own language!

[mawhite63]

I think she's fortunate to be learning at this early age. Look at kids in other countries - most of them can speak multiple languages. I keep wanting to get around to teaching myself a second language, preferably Spanish, but I keep putting it off. The younger you are, the easier it is to learn. Also, there are a lot of jobs where they give preference to a bi-lingual candidate. Learning early is giving her a competitive edge for later years, as well as the cultural benefit.