Making a transcript isn’t so hard….  Well….  Until it gets complicated, LOL!  Renee asked a question about how to put foreign language on the high school transcript when classes were taken at a community colleges.

This is what I would suggest for Renee:

Use the exact grade the college gave him.  A 3.7 is still a 3.7.  Each whole college class is a whole high school. credit.

I would use the college class titles, and indicate the community college where he took the class.  So for example:
*HCC Ger 101: Elem  German 1 – 1 credit *HCC Ger 102: Elem  German 2 – 1 credit

At the bottom of the transcript, define the acronym for your college:
*HCC is Highline Community College

In community college, it’s possible to get three high school credits of a foreign language during senior year if they take three quarters of foreign language in a community college.  That’s one way to catch up on necessary classes when something big is missing.

I hope that helps!  If you are working on your transcript, you can get more information on the Total Transcript Solution.  Then if you still have questions, you’ll be able to call me directly and we can discuss it!

Should we count extensive European travel during middle school as early high school credit?

Traveling Europe, learning foreign languages, and experiencing the art and culture of other countries is awesome!  If these were done during high high school year, then you can give high school credit for the whole experience. If these experiences are completed prior to high school, does it count?  In  my opinion only the academic subjects taught at high school level can be counted toward high school credit.  In other words, if a child has learned Spanish in middle school and still knows Spanish, then I would give him credit for that. If you use a foreign language curriculum as well as immersion in the culture, then it may provide an indication how many high school levels you have achieved.  You can include each of those levels of foreign language on your high school transcript.  I did that myself.  My children did high school level Latin and French in middle school, and I listed it as “Early High School Credits” on the transcript. You can see how it looked here: http://www.thehomescholar.com/images/stories/pdfs/sample_transcript_by_year.pdf

While an elementary or middle school  experience was a wonderful and enriching time that will last forever, high school credits do not necessarily follow.  I don’t think suggest high school credits for experiences earlier unless it’s an academic subject and high school level. You may decide differently, though, depending on how long ago this all happened.

On the other hand, you can certainly give him high school credits for the things he does from now on with that information.  If your child comes home from this fabulous experience, and continues to study the language, you might want to give high school credits for “Conversational Spanish” in high school.  If, because of his experiences, the child passes a CLEP exam in European history or something, then you can give credit for that.  If your child catches the European bug, and begins studying about that country as a passion and delight-directed learning this coming year, then you might give high school level credit when the child is high school age.

It’s a good idea to include academic, high school level subjects on the high school transcript.  Remember that many middle school experiences are just FUN, though.  They encourage the love of learning and encourage your child’s interests in different subjects, but it doesn’t need to go on the transcript.

For more information about marketing your child so they can compete for scholarships, you may want to look at my video “Getting the BIG Scholarships.” I will occasionally have a video presentation on my Gold Care Club website called “College Scholarships for High School Credit” that describes how to apply for the smaller private scholarships.

Being bilingual is something unusual and different that you can emphasize in your transcript.  If they currently are speaking a second language, then you could give them “Conversational French” or “French Fluency” for each year they are high school age.  To  emphasize that uniqueness even more, you could encourage them to write an essay about WHY they are bilingual.  Have them write it this year, and then when they are applying to colleges you’ll have something to work with already!   It would be an EXCELLENT true short story about themselves.

If possible, consider taking a second foreign language in high school.  Not because all colleges demand it, but because it will only  strengthen their portfolio.  My children did Latin in middle school/9th grade, then took French after that.  Although one child merely tolerated foreign languages, the other one LOVED it, and went on to study French and Latin for fun in college.

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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.

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

Or on the iPad Tablet

You may be able to find it compatible with other mobile devices as well.
Have fun!

You don’t want to miss Homeschool Super Heroes Week.  I’m speaking on Thursday!  Sign up for free here!

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. These can also  be found from most homeschool resources, including Sonlight Curriculum,  RockSolid Discount Homeschool Books, and ChristianBook.com.

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. These can also  be found from most homeschool resources, including Sonlight Curriculum,  RockSolid Discount Homeschool Books, and ChristianBook.com.

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.“