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What is GLOBAL?

Global Language Opportunity Benefiting All Learners (GLOBAL) is an approach to language learning that allows students to develop basic communicative skills in a language.

Read all about it in this article from Patch.com.

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Why choose this program?

The GLOBAL curriculum is aligned with the Foreign Language in the Elementary School (FLES) curriculum to provide a framework for schools without a language program and added enrichment for schools that offer FLES. Themes incorporate social studies, science, math, and language arts and enhance the FCPS Program of Studies and the Virginia Standards of Learning. Teachers are employed by FCPS and are trained for the GLOBAL program and in Best Practices in Teaching and Learning.

What is the program structure?

FCPS rolled out the after-school program in October 2011, in Spanish, French, Chinese, and Korean in eleven FCPS schools (Braddock, Cherry Run, Clermont, Colin Powell, Cub Run, Eagle View, Haycock, Mosby Woods, Oakton, Parklawn, and Poplar Tree elementary schools). Students, grouped in grades K-3 and grades 4-6, receive 1 hour per week of language instruction for 25 weeks. The cost is $249.

Local school parent liaison (volunteers) will organize the classes at the school level following the guidance of the GLOBAL program specialist and the guidelines of Fairfax County Public Schools, Adult and Community Education.

What are the goals of the GLOBAL program?

• Reinforce grade level Standards of Learning objectives while teaching a language.
• Allows students to develop basic communicative skills in a language.

Required Forms

GLOBAL Emergency Form

Required at first class for Braddock, Cherry Run, Clermont, Parklawn, Poplar Tree, Haycock, and Oakton elementary schools only.

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After-School FLEX

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

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.
  
  

What is Spanish Heritage FLEXtra?

As a student in Spanish Heritage FLEXtra, your child will receive an introduction to Spanish heritage culture. Children will learn through many hands-on, student-centered activities in art, design, dance, and music. The course is intended for grades 2 through 6 children who have had some prior exposure to the Spanish language; vocabulary is applied in each lesson. Children in the FLEX or FLES programs would be a good fit for this course. Students will not receive grades. Instructors will send home a narrative report at the end of the class.

The course is offered as a 10-hour or a 15-hour program with students meeting for one hour each week before or after school. Students explore the culture of a variety of Spanish-speaking regions including Spain, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Guatemala, and Peru. Architecture, dance, ancient artwork, and clothing design are featured activities.

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.

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.
• 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.