I received a sweet note from a client, and she gave a wonderful review of a free homeschool resource for foreign language. I thought it might encourage others, so I’m passing it along.
Hi Lee,
Thank you so much for focusing on high school, homeschool students! Your web site has been very valuable to me. I am homeschooling a son who is profoundly gifted. We are “refugees homeschoolers” – We always believed our son would be schooled in public education. However, we had to flee the public school system when his needs weren’t being met. I just wanted you to know first hand your site is helping my son and many people in our homeschool group – Denver CO Common Ground Homeschoolers.I can give you a 100% thumbs up for the LiveMocha program. This is a free program to learn foreign language. Koa loves, loves, loves this program. The site is designed for adults but people of any age can utilize it. The system is ingenious. Koa is learning Spanish so he does Spanish curriculum which includes practicing his Spanish writing and speaking skills. Native Spanish speakers grade his work and give feedback. In turn, Koa reviews and grades people’s work who are trying to learn English. Students receive LiveMocha points (arbitrary points of progress) for the language lessons and they receive teacher points for helping others. Isn’t that a great concept? And all of this is free IF you help enough people – just a reasonable amount of teacher points nothing crazy. You could talk with Koa directly if you’d like more information but he loves it!!
Link: http://www.livemocha.com/
Best and Blessings with your work.
Thanks again,
Marilyn in Denver, CO
My son’s nonprofit is www.fastfoodfree.org
For those of you with gifted homeschoolers, I do have an audio course available on CD called “Gifted Education at Home.” It’s designed to help parents with children of ALL ages, not just high school. I do talk about what it is like in public school, to encourage parents that the grass is NOT greener on the other side! My children were in public school until 2nd and 4th grades, when we determined that the gifted education program was not going to help. I share my stories about that, to eliminate the temptation of thinking that public school might be the only option for gifted or profoundly gifted children. Here is the link to that course: Gifted Education at Home.
Do you like getting this sort of help for homeschooling high school? Gold Care Club members get extended answers to their most challenging high school issues.
This just in! You can watch foreign language channels on your iPad or iPod and practice your foreign language skills!
Find the iPod Touch app called “TVU.” You can’t get your local channels, but you can get channels from across the country and the globe! The app costs $4.99, so it’s much cheaper than cable, and you can get channels that broadcast in the language you want your children to learn. There are dozens of foreign language channels, including some in French, German, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Arabic, Italian, Swedish, Norwegian, and some lesser-known African and East Asian languages.
Success with foreign language often boils down to frequency of practice. Many experts recommend a minimum of 15 minutes per day practicing foreign language skills through listening, speaking, reading, or writing. How fun would it be to practice on Mom’s iPad each day! I wonder what it might say on your assignments sheet: iPad French 15 minutes? TV Show in German Today? Arabic Disney Movie? I remember how much my children giggled when I wrote “Finding Nemo in French” for their foreign language assignments!
Play TVU on the iPod Touch
Foreign language requirements vary from college to college. Check with the college website and see what their policy is. Go to a college fair and ask questions of each college, to get their opinion. You’ll be surprised at the variety of answers, I’m sure!
I have a slightly off-topic question regarding whether Rosetta Stone and/or Power Glide are accepted as Foreign Language high school credits in preparation for most state colleges. Anyone have any information on that? We started Rosetta Stone Spanish, but were derailed with rumors that it was not acceptable as credit.
Thanks ~ Barb
I have not heard that rumor about Rosetta Stone. I do know that all colleges make up their own policy about every subject and what will transfer.
Most colleges will either accept homeschool foreign language or they will not. The choice of Rosetta Stone or Power Glide or Tell Me More, or Bob Jones may not ultimately matter. If a college accepts one, they usually accept all.
On the other hand, if the college does not accept a homeschool credit in foreign language, there are alternatives. Those colleges will often accept TESTS in foreign language, even though they don’t value the homeschooling nature of the class. So they may accept your high school credits if they are accompanied by a SAT Subject Test, AP exam, or CLEP Test in that foreign language.
Some colleges do not accept homeschool credits or testing for proof of a foreign language, and yet they will have a policy of “reviewing the whole student.” In those colleges, you may be able to find a way around their policies by explaining in concrete, whole-student ways. Letters of recommendation, proof of translation skills, etc., may convince them that your child has the necessary skills.
Some colleges are real sticklers. A non-homeschool-friendly college will have additional hurdles for homeschool students. They may insist on studying a foreign language with a certified teacher. In that instance, you may decide not to pursue that college. You might also decide that the college is SO desireable that you are willing to have foreign language classes in the public high school or community college, to meet the admission requirements.
It’s better to teach foreign language than avoid it. Even if you find out that your child must take the foreign language again in the community college, it will only end up improving their community college GPA. Don’t let the fear of one college or one rumor change your homeschool or the way you educate your child.
Click here to read more about why teaching your homeschooling high schooler is highly overrated.
Hi Lee,
I was wondering if you have any thoughts on Rosetta Stone software for learning a foreign language?
Thanks,
~ Diane R.
Dear Diane,
I’ve heard that it’s a good curriculum WHEN it is a good fit for the child. It’s just not always a good fit. I would try it to see.
We used PowerGlide, and that was very effective for us. Others love Tell Me More.
It’s more about being consistent everyday, really. The problem with foreign language is the same problem I have with Weight Watchers. It only works when you actually DO the program, LOL!
If you are curious about providing a great homeschool education for your gifted child, check out my audio training, “Gifted Education at Home.“
Foreign language is difficult. Trouble. Hard. From my perspective as a math/science gal, I can also say it’s yucky. Not my cup of tea. It’s also possible. Doable. Not insurmountable, even for homeschool parents who
don’t know a second language.
In Europe, many countries teach a variety of languages to school children. I have heard that in Germany, kids learn one language in early elementary, another in middle school, and another in high school. I guess that means German kids know four languages by the time they graduate from high school. I’m pretty sure that demonstrates foreign language is possible for everyone.
There are some great reasons to study a foreign language. Like math and science, the study of foreign language has value. Even though it isn’t MY preference, and I would rather work on math, I can still see benefits.
Learning a foreign language can help you learn English, learn vocabulary, learn critical thinking. It can teach kids to be less ethnocentric. It’s critical as a Christian, to help fulfill the great commission. It’s also not easy, so it can teach hard work and study skills.
How important is a foreign language for homeschoolers?
Not every adult knows a foreign language, and not every child admitted to college has a foreign language. In fact, in Washington State if a child earns an AA degree from a community college, and transfers into a state university, they may be able to bypass the entire foreign language requirement. Some colleges don’t have a foreign language requirement at all, while others will insist on foreign language study before they will grant a degree. Essentially, if you don’t have it going IN to the college, some want you to have it before you leave.
Foreign language study can serve a few purposes. First, it’s a wonderful way to learn about English. When you study a foreign language and learn about verb tenses and grammar, it can increase knowledge of the English language. It can also help you understand the differences between languages – for example, some have articles (the) and other’s don’t.
Second, a foreign language is great critical thinking. It’s often a way for colleges to see how well your child studies and learns, and if they have the study skills necessary for a foreign language. It does take effort and thought. Much like math, a language is easier to learn when you do it daily, even if small amounts if necessary.
Third, not all countries speak English. In fact, one of the biggest complaints about American’s is that they think everyone DOES speak English. One reason for the “rude American” stereotype is when people insist on speaking English-only in a non-English speaking country. In order to successfully interact with people in other countries, whether as a guest or as a missionary, speaking their language is considered the polite thing to do. Even if it is just an attempt at their language, it can make all the difference.
If you can’t fit foreign language into your normal homeschool week, there are options. You can search for a college that doesn’t require a foreign language. You can strive for an AA degree from a community college, so that a foreign language requirement may be waived. You can incorporate natural language learning, rather than textbook learning. For example, you might learn Spanish during a mission trip to Costa Rica, interacting with native speakers, rather than sit in front of a computer doing Rosetta Stone.
There are a huge variety of foreign languages to choose from; languages that are spoken around the world, languages that form the basis of scripture. American Sign Language is accepted at most universities, and it’s a great language for kinesthetic learners. Latin is accepted almost everywhere as well, and it can be a great fit for a logical or non-linguistic child.
To increase your success in teaching ANY subject, using a curriculum intended for homeschoolers can help. Curriculum written for a school situation will assume that the teacher knows the subject already. But when you use a curriculum meant for homeschoolers, it usually assumes that both student and teacher don’t know the subject when they start. In this letter a mother was asking me about Latin, but the concept holds true for other subjects as well; use curriculum meant for homeschoolers when possible.
I was looking over the e-book on transcripts that I got from you, and I notice you taught Latin. I have tried to teach Latin, but didn’t get very far, because I didn’t understand it. I would like to try again. Which curriculum did you use?
Thanks, Diane
Hi Diane,
My children did three years of high school Latin, and one boy is still taking it in college – but I don’t understand Latin any more than you do, so I know you aren’t at a disadvantage just because you don’t understand it!
If you want to try Latin again, then using a curriculum made for homeschoolers will help. I used Latin Road to English Grammar, and it’s made just for homeschoolers. I worked about a chapter ahead of my boys the first year, and that helped. It’s pretty intensive, so it did take us about 30-40 minutes a day the first year. Here is a link to a blog post.
You don’t need to have Latin, though. In high school, you can use any foreign language. Sometimes homeschool moms give themselves pressure to teach Latin, but the truth is that another language may be easier for you. Don’t feel like Latin is a “must” – it’s just a trend right now in homeschooling, not a necessity. If you want the vocabulary development of Latin, then you can choose Rummy Roots. It teaches the vocabulary aspect without doing it in the context of learning a foreign language.
Another feature of the Gold Care Club is where I answer your biggest questions about homeschooling high school. You will love your free month of Gold Care when you get my e-book!
Washington State requires 11 basic subjects during the 12 years of school. The 11 required subjects are reading, writing, spelling, language, math, science, social studies, history, health, occupational education, and art and music appreciation. Do you notice anything that seems to be missing? Linda did!
I notice you didn’t list a foreign language; once again is that only required for college entry but not for high school graduation?
~Linda in Washington
Foreign language is not required from homeschoolers in Washington State. It usually *is* required for college admission – usually, but not always. You can check with individual colleges to see if they require foreign language or will waive the requirement for some reason, but it is a typical requirement for college entry.
Physical education is also not on the list! Other states have different requirements. I often see a technology requirement mentioned, for example. But in Washington State, it is the parent that sets graduation requirements above the 11 required subjects that are listed in state law. For more information about Washington State Law, see the WHO website here.
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Which foreign language should you teach in your homeschool? So many factors come into play!
I find that a language you have learned in the past is helpful, because you will understand the very beginning of the curriculum, which is always the biggest hurdle. It also will help you with the sound of the accent (even if you can’t say it, you’ll be able to hear it.) For that reason, it makes sense to teach a foreign language you are familiar with.
On the other hand, Spanish is SO widely used and there are SO many supplemental activities, that it’s pretty tempting! All those supplementals can really help the language seem more important, and provide “real wold” learning that improves comprehension. For that reason, it makes sense to teach a foreign language that is common where you live.
Any foreign language at all will help you find a job or get into college. It’s more important to have a few years of ANY foreign language than that it is to have just a little bit of a particular foreign language. For that reason, it makes sense that you allow the child to choose any language they are interested in learning.
Remember the key to foreign language is consistency every day, most of the year. 15 minutes per day is enough to make forward momentum. Any language program, and any language choice can fail if you don’t work on it regularly. To work regularly, you can all do a foreign language with all your children together, even if they are working at completely different levels using completely different curricula. For consistency, it makes sense to choose a foreign language that your whole family can work on together
There is no one “right” foreign language to take, but I hope this points can help you make a decision.
If you are thinking about putting grades and credits on your transcript, you may wonder how to include co-op experiences, especially if the coop wasn’t a perfect fit for your family. I received a question from a mom who wanted to know what to do with a misfit foreign language class.
Hi Lee,
I just want reassurance that it doesn’t matter how much is accomplished as long as you put in the hours, right? My son took a Spanish class this year and despite waaay too many hours working at it, he is basically walking away with very little. I had the opposite problem with my daughter. She took French and was not challenged. She learned 14 words a week. Oh, brother! She could have done so much more. I did learn, however, that academics in a co-op are not for me. I’m definitely a homeschooler. We’ll use it for drama and art in the future.
Thanks!
~Melanie
Dear Melanie,
{{{hugs!}}} I wish that wasn’t how coops work! When kids are working on their level, they should be awarded some success!
Yes, Spanish at his level, working an hour a day for a whole year, should really be a whole credit. Now, at your coop, if they give you an accredited transcript, then his accredited grade will remain on his transcript. I don’t know how your coop is run, though. If it’s just a homeschool coop, with no accreditation, then I would absolutely count his high school credit based on the hours worked, and NOT based on certain test scores. With your daughter the linguist, encouraging her to work at her own speed can allow her to move very, very rapidly!
I think you’ll have much more success and feel like your children are learning more if they are able to go at their level.
When I see successful foreign language programs in coops, it’s often a class that is just a time to get together and “play” with other kids while talking in that language. The seat work is better done at home, in other words. If they miss coop, then only use that for the play aspect of the foreign language, not the book aspect. That way they can learn at their own pace.
I was just consulting with a Gold Care Member, a certified teacher. She said, “When I was a teacher in high school, a credit means they sat in class for a year.” Sat in a class! Our goal for our children is NOT the amount of time sitting in a class – our goal is learning! So if they are sitting in class for a year, YES give them the credit. But make sure they while they are sitting there, they are learning at their level all the time. Because you want them to learn, and not get frustrated because they are either so far behind, or bored because they are so far ahead.
Watch this clip on “I love Lucy” Then have a nice cup of coffee, and move on without beating yourself up about anything. Your children did a year of foreign language. Cool! Lots of families don’t get to that every year. So you are successful too!
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