Yesterday my boy ( #bilingual #English & #Japanese) had an English class because it's now compulsory in primary school in #Japan. I'd already spoken to his teacher and mentioned that I would like him to bring his own extra materials so he can work independently on his writing.

He came home and the extra worksheet was untouched. Turns out the principal of the school doesn't think it's right that he should do something different from the other kids. His form teacher conveyed the principal's message to us.

Basically, they likened being bilingual to other kids who attend cram school. They said that lots of kids already know what they are supposed to be learning at school, but they still have to take the class regardless as it's not good for one person to be different.

I wasn't asking for special treatment, just that he be allowed to not waste his time learning to count from 1 to 10 when he could be working on his reading and writing. I find the analogy of bilinguals being like students who attend cram school offensive.

Do other #parents and #educators of #bilingual #children have any stories or suggestions? We are being met with a pretty inflexible stance here and this is the first of many years of compulsory education in a language he already speaks at home.

Very good yet short description of the issue in this great book published by @Multi_Ling_Mat