FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

FLES program

 

·         What is the goal of the FLES program?

o   FLES vision- Students will be more comfortable and confident in a multicultural world as a result of the FLES program.

o   Study of a second language results in cognitive benefits, gains in academic achievement and positive attitudes towards diversity. Rosenbusch, 1995.

o   Our program is designed to expose students to a second language.  By the end of the elementary experience, students will be able to function in the language at a novice level.

o   By the 2015-2016 school year FLES will be implemented in grades K-5.

·         What are the early dismissal days used for?

o   The FLES team uses these days for creating curriculum; this includes the writing of SLEs, creating progress reports, building common assessments, and analysis of student learning. 

o   As our program is not based on pre-purchased curriculum guides or teachers’ manuals, the expectation is that FLES teachers create lessons, design activities, and produce materials for all lessons taught.

·         Why is there no Spanish instruction on late start days?

o   Currently each Spanish teacher is serving 3 or more schools, thus making scheduling difficult due to travel time and AM/PM buildings.  This will be revisited in the future once teachers are at fewer buildings.

·         What academic standards does the Spanish program align with?

o   The FLES team’s curriculum is guided by the ACTFL standards for foreign language learning.

·         Why is Spanish not on the specials rotation?

o   “Studies show that there is a direct correlation between the amount of time devoted to language study and the language proficiency that the students attain.”  Curtain & Pesola, 1988.  Adding Spanish to the specials rotation would reduce the amount of contact time in all four specials. 

·         How many buildings are you at and how many students do you teach?

o   Each teacher teaches 25-28 classes in a 3 day cycle at 3 buildings, and serves approximately 600 students.

·         How are students assessed?

o   Second language learning is demonstrated first through listening then speaking.  As these skills develop, reading and then writing can be used to measure learning.  In the first few years of our program, assessment must be done one-on-one.

·         Why am I asked to attend Spanish lessons with my class?

o   Teachers are asked to attend Spanish lessons for a full year of the grade level Spanish curriculum.  This is to help expose classroom teachers to the language that their students are learning.

·         What other resources are available to me?

o   We have created a FLES website; this includes our SLEs, national standards, grade level themes, vocabulary lists, contact information for the teachers, trimester newsletters, and additional videos and websites to enhance learning.  Please share or visit our website at: http://www.cr.k12.ia.us/aboutUs/curriculum/foreignLanguage/faq.html