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The Fairfax County Times reports that foreign language instruction in Fairfax County's elementary schools may be eliminated ("Language programs face elimination under proposed school cuts," Nov. 18). Before this happens, please consider that when the county's foreign language immersion programs were initiated, a study commissioned by Virginia's General Assembly reported that students in the immersion programs scored in the 80th percentile on the second-grade Washington Metropolitan Achievement Test as compared with their counterparts, who were in the 72nd percentile. These students remained high achievers throughout their school experience, while the availability of teachers generally varied from limited to virtually nonexistent. (This is significant because it would be difficult, if not impossible, to reassemble these programs.)

A 2008 study finds these programs continue to flourish, reporting that by the time kindergarten students reached the third grade, they outperformed their counterparts in reaching reading and Standard of Learning benchmarks. Today, Virginia is ranked fourth nationally in the number of foreign language "immersion schools" it offers, and experts agree early foreign language instruction is critical. To this end, Great Britain will completely reverse its school curriculum next year, making foreign language instruction mandatory in elementary school and optional in high school.

Additionally, proficiency in foreign languages provides a competitive advantage in the job market, evidenced by the federal government which, in today's down economy, is offering bonuses to fill its "growing demand for people with foreign language skills."

Last year, the county cut more than $170 million from its school budget. In 2002, the county's real estate tax rate was $1.23 per $100 of assessed value (too heavy); today, it is $1.04, too light when compared with Prince William County ($1.21) and Loudoun County ($1.24).

So, while you may believe the county cannot afford to continue teaching foreign languages in elementary school, the truth is, the county cannot afford not to.

John Maney Jr., Springfield