FLEX

Foreign Language EXperience

FLEX stands for Foreign Language Experience.  FLEX programs vary greatly in   schedule and curriculum.  Typically in FLEX programs, about 1-5% of the school week is spent in the second language.  FLEX programs can be frequently and regularly scheduled over a short period of time, or they can be short and/or infrequently scheduled over a longer period of time.  Often students in FLEX programs sample many languages and learn about language rather than learning the language itself.

In some cases a language program can run for many years, follow a sequence throughout those years, and is taught in the target language.  Programs like these sometimes are offered at a low-intensity (10 or 20 minutes once or twice a week), therefore programs like these are considered FLEX, based on the definition of a true FLES program.

The goal of a FLEX program is to develop an interest in different languages and to inspire future language study in students.  Students in FLEX programs learn basic words and phrases in one or more languages, develop listening skills, cultural awareness, and linguistic awareness, while maintaining a limited proficiency in the new language(s).

FLES

Foreign Language in the Elementary School

FLES stands for Foreign Language in the Elementary School. This is a broad term that applies to any program that is implemented in an elementary school, however it is also the title of a specific type of program.

FLES programs come in many different varieties ranging from programs where 5% of the school day is devoted to the second language to programs where 50% of the day is devoted to the second language. The recommendation for FLES instruction is that 90-100 minutes per week or 30-40 minutes a day 3-5 days a week are devoted to second language instruction. Scheduling of these programs varies according to the needs of individual schools.

There are two types of FLES programs. The first is regular FLES where instructional time is devoted to learning the language and may be, but is not always integrated with subject matter and cultural instruction. The second type of FLES program is Content-Based FLES where instructional time is devoted to learning the language while it is integrated into the regular classroom curriculum with cultural instruction.

The goal of any FLES program is to acquire functional proficiency in listening, speaking, reading and writing the second language. Integrated throughout any FLES program is also the goal of acquiring an understanding of other cultures. An additional goal for a Content-Based FLES program is the use of regular classroom subject content as a way to acquire foreign language skills.

Partial Immersion

Partial Immersion

A Partial Immersion program is a program where at least 50% of the school day is spent learning the regular classroom curriculum in the second language. Language learning (i.e. grammar lessons), like in Full Immersion, is incorporated where necessary throughout the curriculum. In Partial Immersion programs the student population may be a combination of both native speakers of English and native speakers of the second language being learned. Classroom subjects usually taught in the second language are math, science and sometimes social studies. The percentage of the school day that is taught in the second language usually remains constant throughout the elementary school and often literacy skills are taught first or at the same time as the native language

The goal of a Partial Immersion program is to become functionally proficient in the new language and to master the curricular objectives being taught in both languages. Integrated throughout a Partial Immersion program is the goal of acquiring an understanding of other cultures.

Full Immersion

Full Immersion

Full Immersion is a type of elementary program where 50- 100% of the school day is spent learning the regular classroom subject matter in the foreign language so students are fully immersed in the language. Teachers teach all subjects like math, science, social studies and P.E. in the foreign language, as opposed to English. Language learning or grammar instruction is only incorporated as necessary throughout the curriculum. Instruction is intense and there is a large amount of time devoted to the use of the language.

The goal of an immersion program is to become functionally proficient in the second language as well as mastering the regular classroom curricular objectives taught in the foreign language. Integrated in any language program is also the goal of acquiring an understanding of other cultures.

In most Full Immersion programs the second language is used for the entire school day during the first two or three years, and English instruction (reading and language arts) is slowly phased in during the following years.