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.
It’s sort of like math that way. And I like math!
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pina madera says:
Yes, yes, YES!!! Studies show that learning a new language has immense neural benefits–children who learn it early in life grow up to be better test takers and can handle abstract thought better. Plus, it opens up doors to new cultures and once you’re proficient, it’s so much fun.
We are raising our boys to speak Spanish, and in doing it, we’ve created materials that are perfect for anyone home with kids. Our materials are base on our award-winning songs–about daily activities–about getting up and getting dressed, setting the table, being hungry, taking a bath. It can be easy to incorporate Spanish into your day. It’s fun! Please visit http://www.singalingo.com!
Hasta luego,
Pina Madera
January 29th, 2010 at 10:27 am
Alicia says:
I agree, foreign lang. not always easy but well worth it. All those years I took Spanish in school and now I can converse with the growing Hispanic community in our church.
January 29th, 2010 at 1:06 pm
Lee says:
Alicia,
I’m so impressed! I took 3 years of high school Russian and I can hardly speak a few words, and I can’t even remember my alphabet! I still have some Latin and French phrases from homeschooling, though. At the Christmas concert, my son leaned over during a song in Latin and said, “Hey mom, look! They translated wrong in the program!” LOL! That gave me the giggles!
Blessings,
Lee
January 29th, 2010 at 1:08 pm
Amy Olson says:
Do you know if Rosetta Stone Spanish (levels 1, 2, & 3) suffice for high school foreign language? My kids love it. I was told by Rosetta stone that each level was equivalent to 1 year. Does anyone know if we can count this for credit on the transcripts?
January 29th, 2010 at 5:23 pm
Lee says:
Amy,
If Rosetta stone told you that each level is equivalent to one year of high school spanish, then give them high school credit for each level the complete, and put that on their high school transcript.
Blessings,
Lee
January 29th, 2010 at 5:24 pm
Lisa says:
I took three years of Spanish in school, which is helping me now as our boys learn Spanish with Rosetta Stone. It all comes back with usage.
January 30th, 2010 at 6:52 am
J W says:
Amy & Lisa – Are your kids practicing with each other and/or native speakers? Rosetta Stone doesn’t force you to express your own thoughts and ideas, so practice with real live human beings is essential.
January 31st, 2010 at 8:50 pm
Karen in TN says:
My son hasa been homeschooled since first grade and is in his senior year now-in Germany. He is doing a foreign exchange. He is learning German (talk about immersion), but also has to take a French class and English class. The kids in his town start learning foreign languages very young and gently build on it through the years. They just add a bit each year and by the time they graduate they are pretty fluent. It does make much more sense than nothing and then cramming it into two years for a credit. He’s found they don’t do things for a “credit” so much, but to actually learn them and use the knowledge.
February 3rd, 2010 at 6:58 am
Lois says:
Lee,
Do you know if colleges accept sign language as a foreign language? I read somewhere that they don’t, and I think that’s a shame. Communicating with the deaf is so much like a foreign language. My daughter and I took an 8 week sign lang. course. That isn’t enough for a credit, but if my daughter continues, could we count it as a foreign language on the transcript? She also wants to take Spanish, as we do live in Texas, but we know some deaf people in our church as well, and they had a fledgling deaf ministry.
February 3rd, 2010 at 2:37 pm
Lee says:
Hi Lois,
College policies vary. Many colleges will accept sign language, usually ASL only, but you really have to check with the individual colleges. If they do accept it, I would list it as a foreign language. If she really loves ASL, then just fine a college that values ASL. You might want to look into deaf education for a career
Blessings,
Lee
February 3rd, 2010 at 3:46 pm