HOW TO HELP YOUR SON OR DAUGHTER SUCCEED
IN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE

•  EXPECT YOUR STUDENT TO HAVE HOMEWORK . Foreign language study requires repetition. There is homework or study assigned each night. Encourage your student to write down and do assignments daily. Daily short doses of study tend to work better than long hours before a test.

•  HELP YOUR STUDENT STUDY VOCABULARY . Foreign language classes require the memorization of many words and phrases. Having someone at home quiz the student will help the student be better prepared. Flashcards are helpful.

•  ASK ABOUT NOTEBOOKS . In many classes students are required to keep notebooks, which contain class work, quizzes, and tests. It would be good to check from time to time to see if the notebook is organized. It often makes a major difference when it comes to reviewing and mastering the material.

•  ENCOURAGE YOUR STUDENT TO ASK FOR HELP . Teachers do not always know when a student needs extra help. All the foreign language teachers are available most days after school. Please phone or email the teacher to let her/him know if you think your student may need help.

•  ENCOURAGE SCHOOL ATTENDANCE . A student can't learn if s/he is not there. If there is an extended illness of two or more days, please call the school (703-207-4000) and request make-up work either through guidance or the foreign language teacher. If you are going on an extended trip, please notify the school in advance so that we may have time to work together.

•  ENCOURAGE YOUR STUDENT TO JOIN FALLS CHURCH 'S FOREIGN LANGUAGE CLUBS. Foreign language clubs allow students the opportunity to interact with other students and to enjoy a variety of positive experiences related to world languages and cultures.

•  ENCOURAGE YOUR STUDENT TO BE TOLERANT OF OTHER CULTURES. Please help your child recognize and appreciate the world around us.

•  HELP YOUR STUDENT TO BE INFORMED . Introduce him or her to current events. Read the newspaper together and find information about the countries where the target language is spoken.

•  TRY DIFFERENT FOODS . Go out to different restaurants or buy food from stores with a variety of products from different countries. Food is always a great way to motivate and encourage cultural perspectives.

•  HOLIDAY OR BIRTHDAY GIFT IDEAS : a paperback dictionary in the target language; a comic book from the target language; dinner out is a French, Japanese, Hispanic, or Italian restaurant; a trip to Quebec , Latin America , Japan or Europe .