Welcome to FLES, “Foreign Language in Elementary School”. Osan American Elementary School is one of several DoDEA elementary schools selected to offer FLES. The mission of the FLES program is to enable students to develop a basis for proficiency in a foreign language while gaining knowledge and appreciation of other cultures. Students are acquiring a language and learning how to be risk takers in the language learning process, something that those who begin learning a foreign language later in life often find difficult.

1. Research shows children benefit from foreign language learning at an early age (infant-10).
2. They grow as if they were in two monolinguals, housed in one brain, building useful brain connections and strengthen their cognitive development and mental flexibility.
3. Foreign Language reinforces knowledge, connecting with other disciplines: math, science, social studies, language, and art.
4. Gives a head start towards gaining fluency and fostering respect and appreciation of other cultures.
5. Improves understanding of their native language and provides a competitive edge in life skills.

    FLES at OAES is a comfortable stage for language acquisition with a minimum of 80% Spanish Language use in class. We use “the natural approach” in which songs and games are an integral part of the program, because children speak the language that they play with. Culture will be taught in a meaningful way, creating a low anxiety environment.

Back to All About OAES