Any home schoolers out there teaching a foreign Language?

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We are looking into using a curriculum to teach our 5 children spanish next year. We have been using jumpstart spanish for the computer and have several books and tapes that teach ABC's, numbers, days of the week etc. But my Hubby wants to go more in depth. We have been looking at the Power-glides for children ( 4-9 age group)and the Berlitz Kids language pack. Anyone ever use these? How much time do they take a day??? Did you like it and would you recomend it to others?? Are there any others we should consider? Thanks Robin

-- Robin Frontz (frontzfarm@1st.net), March 16, 2001

Answers

I have used PowerGlide and the Learnables for French, Robin. I imagine the layout is similar for Spanish. I liked them both. We started with the Learnables and found PowerGlide to be a fun review and good change. Hope this helps. Cindy

-- Cindy Clarke (rclarke@revelstoke.net), March 16, 2001.

I don't know how the berlitz kids pack is, but the material they have for adults is the best I've found when I was learning spanish.It made learning spanish easy.They've been around since , at least the 1960's.I'd think they'de be one of the best??

-- Steve (a12goat@cs.com), March 17, 2001.

After using several cassette and CD programs for about 6 years, we finally switched to a real workbook and found our progress was rapid. We used Alpha Omega Lifepacs. Only wish they had more levels and German too.

-- glynnis in KY (gabbycab@msn.com), March 17, 2001.

I have been teaching my children Spanish for the past 6 years, at least. We've used Berlitz, Learnables, and now we have a tutor. Nothing can substitute for a tutor. You can only get so far with notebooks, videos, and tapes. In my opinion, they must have the interaction with a person fluent in the language to get the proper inflection. I wish I would have saved all my money on all the programs and just hired a tutor from the beginning. When they're young they learn a second language so fast. Mary

-- Mary Fraley (kmfraley@orwell.net), March 17, 2001.

Hi, we use PowerGlide. I have a Spanish speaking friend who told me it is one of the best she has seen. We like it. Blessings, Maylene

-- Maylene (zedanka@aol.com), March 17, 2001.


If you really want to go in depth than if you have the space you could host a spanish speaking person (better if they don't know english ) to come spend a few monthes with you.

-- kelly (kellytree@hotmail.com), March 18, 2001.

By all means, teach the kids basic grammar, and have them learn as much vocab as possible. But if you really want them to learn, get involved with as many native speakers as you can.

I made straight A's all through school, in Spanish. But I could hardly carry on a conversation at all, until I started getting one on one conversations with Spanish speaking folks. I got REALLY fluent by treating a friend I made to dinner once a week in exchange for not speaking anything but Spanish. I picked up more from her this way in a few months than I have in many, many trips to Latin America, for instance.

JOJ

-- jumpoff joe (jumpoff@ecoweb.net), March 19, 2001.


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