What is FLEX?

FLEX Summer Camp

Program model

Goals

Enrollment procedures

FLEX Emergency Form (required at first class)

Instructor and volunteer opportunities

Contact information

What is FLEX?

FLEX is an after-school foreign language enrichment program for elementary school children. Through stories, games, activities, and music, children experience a foreign language and its culture.

FLEX Summer Camp

FLEX offers a one- or two-week world language camp for 3 hours daily at various elementary schools at beginning and immersion levels. Camp groups will be arranged by grade levels: kindergarten through grade one, and grades two through five. Camp start dates are staggered from July 19 through August 9, Monday-Friday. Camps start at 9 am or 10am.

What is the program model?

FLEX classes are held before or after school once or twice a week. Each class meets for one hour. Sessions can be from 10-30 weeks long, depending on the wishes of the individual school.

FLEX offers classes in Spanish, French, German, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, Hindi, and American Sign Language (ASL). All schools do not offer all languages.

Class levels include kindergarten, grades 1-3, and grades 4-6. There is a maximum of 15 children in a class. FLEX PTA representatives organize the classes at the school level following the guidance of the FLEX specialist and the guidelines of Fairfax County Public Schools, Adult and Community Education.

"The boys learned through a variety of methods – songs, games, word memorization, etc. I feel that they came away with a strong introduction to the language, and they are interested in taking Spanish 2."

"Our children loved it and also learned a lot which we feel is a great accomplishment for a teacher after these young children have been in school all day."

"The class was well organized, and my son enjoyed it very much. She is a superb teacher who created a wonderful curriculum."

What are the goals of the FLEX program?

• Capture the optimal time in a child's life for learning another language.
• Learn basic foreign language vocabulary and phrases.
• Gain an understanding and knowledge of other cultures and countries.
• Enable children to enter foreign language classes in middle school at level II.

"I liked seeing friends and speaking Spanish to them."

"I liked pretending to travel."

"Learning how to speak in restaurants was what I liked best."

What are the enrollment procedures for FLEX?

FLEX classes and registrations are organized and handled at individual elementary schools by the FLEX PTA representative. Most children who attend FLEX classes are enrolled in the school. However, FLEX classes are open to children from private schools or home-schooled children, but parents must provide transportation. If a FLEX program is not offered at a particular school in Fairfax County, contact the FLEX office for information on how to start one.

Parents of FCPS students may register online. View language and schedule information for each location. After registering your child, please complete the FLEX Emergency Form. Give the completed form to your child’s FLEX instructor on the first day of class.

Contact Joy Raftelis at joyia.raftelis@fcps.edu or 703-658-1291 for paper registration procedures.

From Teachers:

"The children are a delight to teach."

"I love sharing my language and culture with the children."