teaching third gradeers Russian

[Stephen Blackwell]

I want to make a couple of points about my original posting.

Most important, some states, Massachusetts, for instance, are considering
obligatory foreign language study at the primary level within the next
several years.  Schools are more likely to add Russian if they've had
a good ice-breaker.  There is a window of opportunity here that will not
be repeated once programs are in place, and a little missionary work could
have large dividends.

Second: Third graders are not scary (although I was at first scared).  If
their regular teacher is in the room, then attention and good behavior are
guaranteed.

In departments with 30 or more advanced undergrads and grads, it would be
In departments with 30 or more advanced undergrads and grads, it would be
manageable to set up a
CREDIT program that would provide once-a-week expsure to at least one
group of kids.  Also, not bad classroom experience for all involved, even
if they don't want to become educators.  I mean credit, by the way, for
the undergrads/grads, not for the third (or whatever) graders.  As always,
similar things might be tried in middle- or high schools.

Steve Blackwell
shblackw at indiana.edu