Learning a foreign language is a "survival skill" for schoolchildren, and county school board members are looking for ways to expand programs beyond the 23 elementary schools that offer those classes.

"I believe very strongly in early language skills," Carol S. Parham, superintendent of schools, told the board Wednesday. "It is a survival skill. It is no longer a luxury for our young people in this changing economy and world."

The board was discussing ways to expand foreign language programs into the 54 county elementary schools that do not have such instruction.

Two elementary schools -- Crofton Woods and Davidsonville -- have formal programs created to make pupils fluent in a foreign language.

In Crofton Woods' French immersion program, first-, second-and third-graders take all their classes in French.

Fourth- and fifth-graders at Davidsonville Elementary are offered one hour of Spanish a week.

Twenty-one elementary schools have foreign language programs taught by volunteers, such as parents or high school students who are in an advanced placement foreign language class.

Patricia Orndorff, coordinator of foreign language programs for the school system, acknowledged that all elementary pupils are not offered the same opportunities to learn a foreign language.

Expanding the volunteer programs is the least expensive way of creating equity among the schools. Orndorff said the county needs high school students and administrators to begin these programs at elementary schools.

"I can try to get them motivated to get started," she said. "That is something I can do right away."

Board President Carlesa Finney said the discussion was a good starting point for the board.

"Parents are concerned that if we continue [the French immersion program at Crofton Woods] that they will eventually become a de facto magnet school," she said. "In other counties, immersion programs are at magnet schools. So it's nice to know that there are other ways to introduce early language learning besides immersion."

Pub Date: 3/19/99