Foreign Language - from Diana Zuckerman

Dear Concerned Parents and Community Members,

I am writing to request that you contact the Rondout Valley Board of Education Members concerning the proposals to reduce and possibly eliminate the *K-4 Elementary Foreign Language Program* which reaches
approximately 800 students and to also reduce the *Middle School French Program*, which could as a result phase out the High School French Program in the future. Please urge the Board (BOE) to continue to support these critical programs for Rondout’s students. Beginning language in 6th grade will be too late for many of our students and not having a language choice is also detrimental. The BOE has been very supportive in the past and community input has made a difference. Go to www.rondout.k12.ny.us and click on Board of Ed and then “Send a comment to the Board.” Even if you have written in the past, please write again. There is also a BOE Budget meeting on *Tuesday, April 5th at 7:00pm* at Marbletown Elementary School in the gym where you can come and make a public comment at the beginning of the meeting.

Please see the attachment and click on the links below for information on the benefits of foreign language learning, which include cognitive and academic benefits, social and communicative benefits, as well as cultural
and global competency necessary in the 21st century.

Fairfax Flags – Virginia Parents Website for Foreign Language Advocacy for Grade Schools (Foreign Language Benefits):
http://www.fairfaxflags.org/2009/11/benefits-of-early-foreign-language_09.html

Asia Society & Speaking in Tongues: Brain Research:
http://asiasociety.org/education-learning/world-languages/-american-schools/your-brain-languages

Asia Society article on language learning:
http://asiasociety.org/education-learning/world-languages/-american-schools/national-imperative-language-learning

University of Oregon *Changing Brains* video on language & second language
learning:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMOHtSkSPfA&feature=player_embedded

Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL) Board of Trustees Position Statement on Foreign Language Learning:
http://www.cal.org/about/foreign-language-survey.html They state, “Our nation’s capacity to maintain national security, promote international cooperation, compete effectively in a global economy, and enhance our domestic well-being depends on our ability to communicate in other languages and across cultures. It is time to heed the calls for action by countless organizations, business leaders, government agencies, and individuals to acknowledge the well-documented individual and societal benefits of foreign language learning and to  incorporate foreign languages into the core curriculum at every level of education and in every community across the nation.”


Please let me know if you would like any additional information or if you have any comments or questions.  Please encourage other supportive community members to send comments to the BOE as well. Thank you for your vocal support.


Best wishes,

Diana


Diana Zuckerman
dianazuck@yahoo.com
Spanish FLEX K-4 & 9, Rondout Valley CSD, Accord NY NYS Representative, National Network for Early Language Learning www.nnell.org
Board of Directors, NYS Association of Foreign Language Teachers www.nysaflt.org
President, Association of Language Teachers of Orange, Ulster, Dutchess and Surrounding Counties (ALOUD)