Support elementary foreign language programs in Fairfax County Public Schools

World language education gives students multiple perspectives that are critical in the 21st century. Please do not discontinue your quality programs.

Although I teach in Arlington, I live in Fairfax. I started a program in Prince William which is now Spanish. Japan is our great ally and we need to engage our students with it. As a language teacher, I know it is imperative that the languagebe learned when the brain's best "window of opportunity" is open!! We live in a wide, wide world. Let those who want to be able to learn Japanese!お願いします!

I don't live in Fairfax County so I can't truthfully sign the petition, but I am trying to learn Japanese at the ripe old age of 55. IT IS HARD AS AN ADULT. Many studies have shown children's brains are optimally wired to learn new languages up to around age 12 or thereabouts, so language immersion curriculum in elementary school has the best chance for success with the students compared to, say, a high school or college program. It would be a shame to abandon a program that has so much potential to graduate multi-lingual citizens.

Language immersion is so important to our student's well-rounded education. Learning a second language is an important 21st century skill. It seems a shame to get rid of such a wonderful learning opportunity for students.

The FCPS immersion programs have been inspirations for everyone in the world language education community; please continue to support these pioneering programs!

I went to high school here and the program is what made me make Japanese my college major!!

Japan is an important economic, political and military partner with the U.S.

Please keep the Japanese language immersion program。

As the teacher that ultimately receives the immersion students from Fox Mill Elementary, I see the value of this program in the students ability to handle advanced level material and the their willingness to try to communicate in the target language. Without them, the IB Japanese program at South Lakes will greatly suffer. Please keep the immersion program.

In today's world, it's all the more important to support foreign language programs in schools that help to foster better understanding and tolerance of other cultures.

Please keep the program.

Keep the immersion programs by all means!

Please keep the program.

My children and their Japanese Immersion program friends have benefited tremendously from the program. Even those who have no cultural or language background are now able to read/write/speak Japanese thanks to the program. Fairfax is one of the innovative counties in the US, which makes it unique and attractive to families who are interested in relocating to Fairfax. It's a shame to have to close the program which has been so successful.

Hope fairfax county keeps Japanese immersion program! Thank you

Foreign language proficiency is critical to interacting with the rest of the world, and the younger children start the better. Language learning ability falls off quickly with age.

I strongly support the opportunity for Fairfax children to learn a second language, Japanese.

Please save the immersion programs!

This is what makes FCPS unique. We would all hate to lose it.

Please continue to offer Japanese classes in