A Consideration of Problems Involved in Instituting a Foreign Language Program in an Elementary School System

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to consider some of the most common problems which arise in establishing and carrying through a language program in the elementary school, and to enumerate the solutions to them as found by the various language experts and school systems. The following questions are considered: At what age in a child’s development is it most desirable to begin foreign language instruction? Does the acquisition of a second language interfere with the child’s progress in English? How can a foreign language program get started in a system? Who should receive foreign language training? Which language should be offered? What should be the length and frequency of the foreign language teaching period in each grade? Who will teach the language? How can foreign language teaching at this level be financed? What kind of outside and enrichment resources are available to use with the program? These questions will be considered and various solutions and opinions will be given. This paper is not meant to be a recommendation for the adoption of the program nor for the rejection of it. It is merely a consideration of the problems which may arise.