Language Immersion Class in daycare?

[cosmowife]

I just learned that next year, when DS is 3, we can choose to enroll him in regular classes or a Hebrew immersion class at his daycare. They are both the same price. In the Hebrew class, all morning (9:30 to 12:30) would be taught exclusively in Hebrew by a native Hebrew speaking teacher. The remainder of the day would be in English. If we chose not to do this, he would just go to regular class in English. We would have the opportunity to do this for two solid years (until he enters public kindergarten).

Do you think this is a good idea? Or is this too "tiger mom"? We are not Jewish and have no need for Hebrew, but I think the learning opportunity could be great for him. I always did very well in school, but languages were always a struggle for me. If I could expose him to something like this when he is very young, maybe he would have less trouble with languages when he was older.

[karinothing]

I Would probably do it. We want DS to go to a spanish/english immersion ES school here. I plan on starting him in private language immersion classes at 3. I don't care if it is "tiger mom" other languages are important IMO.

Interesting that they offer hebrew? Is it a Jewish daycare even though you aren't Jewish?

[MadamePresident]

That is pretty cool. Why not?

[cosmowife]

Nov 2, 2012 16:32:52 GMT -5 karinothing said:

I Would probably do it. We want DS to go to a spanish/english immersion ES school here. I plan on starting him in private language immersion classes at 3. I don't care if it is "tiger mom" other languages are important IMO.

Interesting that they offer hebrew? Is it a Jewish daycare even though you aren't Jewish?

Yes, it is a Jewish daycare. There is a good number of non-Jewish kids there in addition to DS.

[imimahoney]

I think that is an awesome program. I do question the usefulness of Hebrew though if you are not Jewish. Most businesses in Israel operate in English and Hebrew.

But anyways, it seems like a fantastic opportunity. Hebrew is really hard to learn and most Americans who learn it are far from conversational in it. I'd go for it.

[cricketwife]

Same price? I'd absolutely do it. Even if he never "uses" Hebrew, the value of exposing him/his developing brain to another language at this age is worth it

[Deleted]

I wouldn't if it was a language that I had no cultural connection to, knowledge of, or intention of keeping him exposed to.

We'll send DS to French Immersion when he hits Kindergarten, but that's an official language and a total job asset if he sticks with it through school. Also: the closest school to our house.

[Deleted]

Nov 2, 2012 17:38:04 GMT -5 imimahoney said:

I think that is an awesome program. I do question the usefulness of Hebrew though if you are not Jewish. Most businesses in Israel operate in English and Hebrew.

This. It's an interesting opportunity but Hebrew isn't a super useful language, especially if you have no cultural ties or opportunities to use it.

My DH's first language was Hebrew--he grew up on a kibbutz in Israel, but he doesn't speak a word of it now. He can understand some things but not by any stretch of the imagination could he claim to speak Hebrew today. He is an atheist, not particularly committed to experiencing/learning about Jewish culture, doesn't go to temple etc. etc. so without opportunity to use the language when he moved away from Israel at age 6, he lost it.

[zeewifeandmama]

Yup, I'd do it in a heartbeat.

[cep1976]

My kid is in a default immersion program since she goes to an in-home daycare where all the providers speak Spanish. I think it's great, and hope to find a way for her to continue with it when she reaches preschool age.