Joan Zamora给家长的信。 （附：Joan老师英文信原文）
亲爱的家长：
感谢你们表达了对英文课程的关心，同时，提出为什么孩子回家时不能讲英语的疑问，我在此针对这个问题为大家做说明。
首先，让你们了解目前学生正在学习英语的45个发音。 正如你所知，发音比字母还多，并且，为了能独立地读出，必须正确学会所有的发音。课程中我们是以Animated Literacy 生气蓬勃的识字学习法，结合歌曲、动作、图画及活动。
此外，学校是一个主要以中文为主的环境，学生唯一说英文的时候是在英语课，其他科目都是用中文上课。 虽然有某些老师可以流利地使用英语，这里仍然不是一个全美语的地方。研究表示，学生在一个完全的语言环境里，彻底地浸注于某个语言，要花5到7年才能变流利。 你的孩子也不例外，开始从一个非常基本的阶段，需要时间及指导才能学会语言。
孩子小的时候先学讲他们的母语，上学后开始学习另一种语言课程，通常从阅读开始学习，在阅读之后才会开口说，因为他们害怕犯错误。
作为父母，你可一定帮助你的孩子学会英语。阅读书本或其他刊物(甚至漫画书!) 是一个美好的方式促进语言学习。当你的孩子在家时，让他对你用念的方式练习学校的指定作业。这看来非常基本，但是多次练习这些句子是重要的。
流利的阅读中文文章也是非常重要的，从一种语言的阅读技巧可转化到另一个语言，流利的中文读者必能成为流利的英文读者。
请不必太担心孩子在家不讲英语的问题，孩子把母语基础打好再使用第二外语才不会有混淆的情况。我希望这封信所提供你的信息能使各位家长安心。如果你有任何问题或需要进一步说明，不要犹豫与学校联系。
英文指导老师
Joan Zamora MS张 琼 兰
吴江太湖国际实验学校 081027
October 24, 2008
Dear Parents,
Some of you have expressed concern about the English programme and are wondering why your child is not able to speak English when he/she comes home.
First of all, let me inform you that at the present time, the students are learning the 45 phonemes of English, that is, the sounds that each letter makes. As you may know, there are more sounds than letters and, in order to be able to read independently, it is essential to learn them. The programme we are following to learn these sounds is called Animated Literacy and it combines songs, motions, drawings as well as activities in order to engage as many learning styles as possible.
Furthermore, the students at the school are in a predominantly Chinese environment. The only English that they regularly encounter is in the English class; all their other subjects are taught in Chinese. As well, few staff members are fluent in English, which means even less exposure to the language.
Research shows that students in a total language environment i.e. completely immersed in a language, (and usually in the country that speaks that language), will become fluent in 5 to 7 years. Your child (with a few exceptions) is starting out from a very basic stage and needs time as well as instruction to learn the language.
Children first learn to speak in their native language when they are very young. However, when they study another one, especially as a subject in school, then reading is usually the first skill. Speaking comes much later for a number of reasons, often because they’re afraid of making mistakes.
As parents, you can certainly help your child learn English. Reading books or other material (yes, even comic books!) is a fine way to promote language learning. As well, when your child is home, have him/her read to you the items that are sent from school. The work may seem very basic, but it is important to practice these words over and over.
It is also very important that students practice their reading in Chinese. Reading skills transfer from one language to another and fluent Chinese readers become fluent English readers.
Don’t worry about speaking English at home. It is essential that students’ Chinese be correct so that there is no mixing with other languages.
I hope that this letter provides you with some reassurance. Do not hesitate to contact the school should you have any questions or require further clarification.
Yours truly,
Joan Zamora MS (TESOL)
English Instructor
Taihu International School 081027