When my (now 13 yr old) son was in kindergarten, a boy from Japan, who spoke zero English, was put in his class in January. By June, he spoke perfect English and he was also teaching his mother how to speak English.
A friend of mine spoke only German on her first day of school when her mother put her on the bus to go off to kindergarten. By Christmas, she spoke like a native English speaker. (Of couse, this was back in the 'olden' days when common sense still ruled....)
Another friend is from Pakistan and speaks his native language at home so his kids will learn it. He wants them to learn English at school by being in English classes but, the school keeps insisting that his kids be in 'English Learner' classes.
It seems to me that they are only slowing kids down if they keep them in English learner classes for years and years. Sheesh!
marking