<p>D is interested in 4-week language immersion programs such as Concordia Language Villages or Middlebury’s new programs.</p>
<p>We have a concern as to whether the language pledge forbids ANY English reading during down times. She had a tremendous amount of summer reading for English and AP Euro this past summer and expects the same for summers to come. </p>
<p>My readings of these pledges is that ANY English book is considered “contraband”. I think I understand that the theory is that immersion requires a total commitment to give up English for the duration of the program.</p>
<p>Is my understanding correct, are they really THAT strict?</p>
<p>It’s not a criticism, it’s just one factor that she has to take into account before deciding.</p>
<p>I hear Concordia is that strict, although I haven’t raised that particular question. Why not just read before and after the program?</p>
<p>Good question! If I may comment – I work with Middlebury-Monterey Language Academy and the curriculum is carefully designed to immerse a student in the target language. We want our students/campers to succeed with language and the best way to ensure success is to limit exposure to English. </p>
<p>Having said that, we adapt the Pledge for teens, offer an ease-in period, schedule free-time each day, and design situations so that succeeding with the Language Pledge is a fun part of camp life.</p>
<p>Hi Virginia,</p>
<p>The program sounds great, we’re just trying to make sure our daughter really understands what this entails. Just so I’m absolutely clear with respect to your response, even during the free-time, is reading in English allowed?</p>
<p>D has attended CLV for 6 years and books in English are allowed if the subject matter is related to the language studied. Your luggage is searched for “contraband” when you arrive which is then confiscated and returned when you leave, or if you are there for four weeks you can get it back on “off weekend”. (The weekend between sessions.) D had started Harry Potter this year and had to give it up when she got to camp but got a few pages read on off weekend. D also had summer reading for AP classes and she did it before she went as school started 4 days after she got home. D considers camp, even though it is for high school credit, to be a four week vacation as she loves the language, the food, the people and the location!</p>
<p>Hi ClassicRockerDad,
Sorry I didn’t respond sooner. We allow students to read in English but ask that they limit the time they spend on this activity, since it detracts from the language immersion.
We do understand though that AP reading needs to be tended to!</p>
<p>Concordia is very strict - they inspect luggage and confiscate English books till the end of the program. Having said that, though, my duaghter loved their program!</p>