9 replies to this topic

[Jori]

Looking for feedback on what you have used for foreign language programs. What did you used? How old were the kids? Did you like it? Did they like it? Did they learn?

I messed with the Rosetta Stone Homeschool Program this morning. I've never really given it any thought. My focus for additional has been sports and music (and gardening).

[themartianchick]

My daughter uses Rosetta Stone, but she's 22. I'm not sure how it would be for younger kids. What language are you interested in? She used to belong to a website called YesJapan.com, which taught her Japanese. That site is geared towards kids and makes learning fun with mock game shows and contrived situations to allow them to practice using the language. There might be a similar site for other languages.

[Jori]

My daughter uses Rosetta Stone, but she's 22. I'm not sure how it would be for younger kids. What language are you interested in? She used to belong to a website called YesJapan.com, which taught her Japanese. That site is geared towards kids and makes learning fun with mock game shows and contrived situations to allow them to practice using the language. There might be a similar site for other languages.

Thanks TMC! I was thinking Spanish (Latin American). DH was thinking Chinese. I saw that Rosetta Stone offered Greek or Latin (can't remember off hand) and I thought might be good for language development and understanding meanings. I took Spanish was I was in grade school and German when I was in High School but that's been over 20 years. I remember more sign language.

I was just thinking about you so hope all is well!

[Ambergris]

I used a combination of Berlitz Kids and Family Circus when they were younger and Pimsleur when they got older.

[HazelStone]

Looking for feedback on what you have used for foreign language programs. What did you used? How old were the kids? Did you like it? Did they like it? Did they learn?

I messed with the Rosetta Stone Homeschool Program this morning. I've never really given it any thought. My focus for additional has been sports and music (and gardening).

5 years of Spanish in grade school, I minored in it, and did foreign exchange. So I've been exposed to a lot of different methods.

Method-wise I liked Rosetta Stone (I have the normal version). It helps you get around the grammar issues (studying lists of verb conjugations in high school classes? Really?). It also builds the visual link to practical, common things and ideas. It really is as they say in the ads, using the same methods little children use to learn their first language. Yes, I remember that far back! That's probably why I am able to slog through language studies- most people give up because they feel too "stupid" trying to function in the new language. They don't remember what it was like being a wee one and trying to figure out how to say something, string together the syntax, etc.

You can set DVDs (or cable shows) to Spanish subtitles to reinforce vocab/grammar. Depending on your religious background and region, you can attend Spanish-language church services, get young reader books in Spanish translations (fun novels in the different language is good reinforcement).

But just starting out...Rosetta Stone is great. Or the kids could start as I did, riding the school bus with migrant kids. But this is the homeschool forum, so...

[Jeepers]

We learned to speak Chinese via the military. The key was to totally immerse yourself in it. Husband went to classes all day and had to bring reel to reel tapes home to study (no cassettes back then!) At home I listened to the tapes with him and quized him every night. I learned by accident. He was fluent and by the time we were transfered to China, I could hold my own by myself while shopping and getting around. Over the years of not using it, we are losing the ability to understand it. He doesn't speak or understand much Chinese anymore. I can speak enough but am slow to understand all but the basics.

If we were attacked by China I could make my wants and needs known...as long as they speak Mandarin very s-l-o-w-l-y, using hand signals.

If you are going to learn/teach a language you must use it or you will lose it. As Hazel said, being around native speakers helps so much too.

[windmorn]

Look on Homeschool Buyers Co-op http://www.homeschoo...Itemid=1141&c=1 The link should take you to the foreign language page. They've got Rosetta for 20% off and another program for 50% off as well as a few others. I don't know anything about the programs but have loved the othet subjects I've ordered from them. You can link to the product website from theirs. There's usually some reviews and sometimes a trial of as long as a month. They've saved me a ton of money since I found dd learns better from computer programs for a lot of things. They have all subjects and some are in traditional format.

[lumabean]

Chiming in really late ...

when my son was younger, he was hooked on German - everything from Hogan's Heroes to the pavilion at Epcot Center At the time, I found that the Power Glide set worked pretty well. He lost interest in German though (mostly he got lazy .... )

Last year I tried to get him interested in a foreign language again, but he was not cooperating -- what we ended up using was Destinos for Spanish. He took live classes through an online co-op. It was a good program, but for the price, and his total lack of interest (and effort) it wasn't our best choice (I think it would be great for a child/teen/adult who has a desire to learn though).

The online co-op (completely free, which is a blessing) now offers Spanish, Japanese, and Chinese. It's a great resource for those who want to learn a foreign language. This year I believe they have two different curriculum options for Spanish since the volunteer teachers each had a different preference.

Just putting it out there on the chance that someone may be interested in that route.

Now if there was just a way for me to spark the interest in my son, I'd be a thrilled.

Edited by lumabean, 22 August 2012 - 11:40 AM.

[Gunplumber]

I'd be happy if schools in the United States would just teach English.

Americans are one of the only modern cultures illiterate in ANY language.

I were just lokin thru sum posts on intenet chat bords and I couldnt beleve my eys on the teribul speling and gramer from suposid adolts.

[Jeepers]

I'd be happy if schools in the United States would just teach English.

Americans are one of the only modern cultures illiterate in ANY language.

I were just lokin thru sum posts on intenet chat bords and I couldnt beleve my eys on the teribul speling and gramer from suposid adolts.

I agree about teaching proper English.
Huked on fonix werked fer me.