New York public school makes learning Arabic mandatory

[Snaquebite]

WTF?


Published May 24, 2012

New York Post
An upper Manhattan public elementary school will be the first in the city to require that students study Arabic, officials said yesterday.

Beginning next semester, all 200 second- through fifth-graders at PS 368 in Hamilton Heights will be taught the language twice a week for 45 minutes — putting it on equal footing with science and music courses.

One reason Principal Nicky Kram Rosen selected Arabic — as opposed to more common offerings, such as Spanish or French — is because it will help the school obtain a prestigious International Baccalaureate standing.“She proposed this to the parent association. They were very supportive,” said Angela Jackson, CEO of the Global Language Project, which is backing the initiative.

“Arabic has been identified as a critical-need language,” she said, citing students’ future "career trajectories."


http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/05/24/new-york-public-school-makes-learning-arabic-mandatory/

[Streck-Fu]

She proposed this to the parent association. They were very supportive,”

If true....:rolleyes:

[Pete]

Always nice to have somebody who knows just what they're saying on the Arab street.

[-Jas-]

Well arabic might come in handy as a second language

I had to learn latin or antic greek... That's just useful for wise ass cracking ;)

[ddoering]

A ready supply of domestic terps..... Or their parents are preparing them to serve their muslim overlords.:boohoo

[Trapper John]

And the Caliphate is nearly complete. :mad:

Boiling Frogs!

[JHD]

I googled to see if truth or fiction, and LO and behold, it is true.

The only good thing, if there is a good thing, about this is that attendance at this school is voluntary. If it receives public funds though, I would not be happy my tax dollars were being used like this.

[-Jas-]

Oh relax... It's a language. It's not like they're teaching "conversion for Infidels 101"
I learned a bit of arabic and mandarin at University. Neither become a commi nor converted from my western lifestyle and beliefs.

[Richard]

There are many public and private schools which mandate such bi-lingual studies for their students. Some of the more common programs I encountered included Spanish, French, Japanese, Chinese, German, and Hebrew. In today's world and with the importance of SWA to the global economic marketplace, I can understand what this school and its community are thinking by fostering Arabic.

Richard

[JHD]

I think the reason I don't like it is because it is "mandatory". I agree bilingual studies are critical to prepare kids for the workforce in the future, but I like the idea of electives for the language course. Core curriculum mandatory, yes. Just my opinion that language should be elective.

[Remington Raidr]

every female student in the the target population should be REQUIRED to wear a burka. I mean, it IS voluntary after all. Potential boyfriends will do what comes naturally . . . :rolleyes:

[PRB]

Wait til they start the language...lol, talk about a worthless study unless you want to work at the 7-11.

[The Reaper]

This is more than a year old, gents.

TR

[Richard]

This is the program being offered under the Global Language Project partnership program.

Good for them.

Richard

http://globallanguageproject.org/about_mission.php

Global Language Project (GLP) is an innovative educational movement that seeks to equip disadvantaged public-school students with the skills to compete in a globalized world and work force. Through GLP's free and comprehensive language training program, elementary school students achieve proficiency in Arabic, Mandarin, or Spanish. The curriculum emphasizes traditional and experiential learning and was created by leading educational professionals around the country

Overview

Speak to Succeed is a structured, after-school curriculum and program teaching critical-needs languages to children attending underserved public schools. The Program develops its curriculum with certified language instructors and researchers, public-school administrators, and community leaders, ensuring success based on the unique needs of each school and its students.

Public schools must first apply to bring Speak to Succeed to their schools. Once a school becomes a Partner School, it can then allow its students in select elementary grades to apply for participation.

A school must be able to commit to and meet the following criteria in order to be considered:

•Value language learning and academic excellence
•Dedicate space for Speak to Succeed classes
•Commit to the duration of the program
•Make resources and budget available to support the program
•Offer marketing and outreach support
•Be recommended by a Global Language Project Partner and/or supporter
•Demonstrate progress in state education department assessments

Partnership Schools

•PS 368: Hamilton Heights Elementary
Languages Offered: Arabic, Mandarin, and Spanish
Grades Served: K - 5
•PS 261: Philip Livingston
Language Offered: Arabic
Grades Served: K - 1
•Harlem Village Academies K Program/YMCA
Language Offered: Mandarin
Grade Served: K
•M012: TAG Young Scholars School
Language Offered: Spanish
Grades Served: K - 2
•PS 85: Judge Charles J. Vallone School
Language Offered: Spanish
Grades Served: K – 1

[Trapper John]

Thanks for the sanity check Richard ;) I really do appreciate your posts, always good intel and as I said, a sanity check. :lifter

[Utah Bob]

I took German in HS and amazingly the Army actually sent me to Germany!
Just sayin.;)

[Richard]

I took German in HS and amazingly the Army actually sent me to Germany!
Just sayin.;)

Further evidence that even a blind hawg will find a truffle every now and then.

Just sayin'... ;)

Richard

[Trapper John]

Further evidence that even a blind hawg will find a truffle every now and then.

Just sayin'... ;)

Richard

Hawgs don't use sight to find truffles, they use the sense of smell.

Just sayin'...:p

[Streck-Fu]

So you are saying that it was his smell that had him sent to Germany? ;)

[The_Mentalist]

While I believe that foreign language education should be part of the core curriculum, I don't believe that only 1 language should be offered. The choice of language should be an option. Say either a Germanic, romance, Asian or even an Persian language. At least 3 options should be available. The main question is why this school chose Arabic. First of all, it is very dialectic. Second, economic trade is quite limited. Do they think that by the time these kids grow up Afghanistan and Iraq will be anything other than sheep herders with oil? The future employment potential where Arabic will be useful is negligible. This is where my issue lies. School is supposed to prepare you for entry into adult society and to be a productive citizen. We need to return to proper core curricula and get away from subjects that have no bearing in he real world.

[JHD]

While I believe that foreign language education should be part of the core curriculum, I don't believe that only 1 language should be offered. The choice of language should be an option. Say either a Germanic, romance, Asian or even an Persian language. At least 3 options should be available. The main question is why this school chose Arabic. First of all, it is very dialectic. Second, economic trade is quite limited. Do they think that by the time these kids grow up Afghanistan and Iraq will be anything other than sheep herders with oil? The future employment potential where Arabic will be useful is negligible. This is where my issue lies. School is supposed to prepare you for entry into adult society and to be a productive citizen. We need to return to proper core curricula and get away from subjects that have no bearing in he real world.

Exactly. If the language is mandatory, Chinese or Spanish would be more useful in the real world. If a student is in high school and has a fairly good idea they want to be in the global oil and gas industry, then by all means take Arabic, but it should be a choice, and the choice should have some relevance.

[Snaquebite]

While I believe that foreign language education should be part of the core curriculum, I don't believe that only 1 language should be offered. The choice of language should be an option. Say either a Germanic, romance, Asian or even an Persian language. At least 3 options should be available. The main question is why this school chose Arabic. First of all, it is very dialectic. Second, economic trade is quite limited. Do they think that by the time these kids grow up Afghanistan and Iraq will be anything other than sheep herders with oil? The future employment potential where Arabic will be useful is negligible. This is where my issue lies. School is supposed to prepare you for entry into adult society and to be a productive citizen. We need to return to proper core curricula and get away from subjects that have no bearing in he real world.

I agree. There should be choices.

[Richard]

I agree. There should be choices.

There are.

The school in the original article offers 3 languages, not just 1.

It is also designated within the district as an "academy" - learning academies (or magnet schools) usually offer a specific curriculum or are targeted towards a specific student population and allow students to "opt out" and go to another school within the district.

And then there are always the private school (either nondenominational or theologically aligned), charter school, or home school options.

Richard

[MR2]

So you are saying that it was his smell that had him sent to Germany? ;)

You should have smelled him when he came back!

[Richard]

You should have smelled him when he came back!

Driving a "honey wagon" for cover in the "auxillary" during a FLINTLOCK will do that to ya... ;)

Richard

[Utah Bob]

So you are saying that it was his smell that had him sent to Germany? ;)

I am convinced was the request for Vietnam that sent me to Deutschland. Then the request for 5th Grp that sent me to the 1st Cav.

[Roguish Lawyer]

Just curious, does our country have a need for Arabic speakers/linguists? I was under the impression that some of you guys may have been ordered to learn that language for some reason . . .

:munchin