Foreign Language Delivery Formats

Did you know there are different ways to teach foreign language to students? Each delivery format meets different outcomes based on the goals of a defined foreign language program.

Essentially, there are three different ways to deliver foreign language instruction. No format is considered “good” or “bad” as it depends on the program goals of each particular language program and the resources available to meet those goals. Is fluency the goal? Or, is a broad understanding of the culture a goal? Or, is the goal something else entirely? Immersion, Integration, and Exposure are the three main foreign language delivery formats and each of these formats can be further split into sub-categories.

Immersion Programs deliver language instruction in the new language at least 50% of the day. Therefore, subject area instruction (such as math, history, etc.) is taught in the new language. A version of this format is typically used when high fluency levels are a program goal, but for this program format to be successful, this option requires classroom teachers to be fluent in the new language. Typically a school that chooses an immersion program focuses on that particular language during the student’s entire enrollment at the school.

Foreign Language Experience (FLEX) Programs (also referred to as Exposure Programs) fulfill the goal of exposing students to one or more languages and cultures. Ideally they create enthusiasm and motivate students to pursue further study of foreign language. Exposure programs are not meant to develop foreign language proficiency. With exposure as the goal, this model can help alleviate human resource, financial, and time constraints.

Integration or FLES (Foreign Language in the Elementary School) Programs aim for some level of language proficiency. This format typically follows a sequenced learning structure from understanding to speaking to reading to writing. The focus of these programs is on the development of listening, speaking, and cultural awareness. As a result, classes are typically taught as a distinct subject matter. The format may be content based (the teacher must teach the foreign language and the subject content, e.g. math, social studies, etc.) or content aligned (the teacher reinforces what is taught in class and the foreign language instructor is not responsible for teaching content.)

Oak Grove School has been offering foreign language to students in some format for twenty or more years. As of Fall 2011, Oak Grove School offers the following in foreign language instruction:

Grade 4: Spanish in an Exposure (FLEX) Format

Grade 5: Spanish in an Exposure (FLEX) Format

Grade 6: French in an Exposure (FLEX) Format

Grade 7: High School Spanish Level 1 (part 1)*

Grade 8: High School Spanish Level 1 (part 2)*

No foreign language instruction is offered in K - 3.

*Current CES French students in 7th and 8th grade continue to be on track to complete High School French 2 by graduation.

This brief summary is solely meant to provide a general overview of the main types of foreign language delivery formats. If you are interested in a more detailed summary description and/or the related source documents, please click here for more information. Once at the linked document, click on the FLTF Delivery Matrix icon.