Le Monde has a policy of using second grade for total immersion learning in a foreign language. However, not all children, including bright ones, can adapt well to such an environment. The way this was handled for the French class was that students were given insufficient cues for picking up the gist of what was being said, so that some children were unable to understand instructions for subjects other than French. Those children are stunted by the experience, with some having to repeat the grade. Worse, the teacher socially isolated those students who were struggling to keep up. Especially cute was her giving instructions for a school event in French were the children were supposed to don a certain style of attire. Those who missed out on the instructions were inappropriately addressed for the event.
When confronted with the problems my child was facing, the principal categorically backed up the teacher, claiming the effectiveness of immersion learning. But the reality is that almost a quarter of the class can't keep up. He and the teacher mean to achieve high standards for the school by washing the under-achievers out. read more