Julie asked about teaching foreign language, because her students weren’t enjoying Rosetta Stone Spanish
Dear Julie,
Rosetta Stone promised to be “the answer” for foreign language, didn’t it? But I do hear that many people don’t find it truly effective. It probably boils down to learning style, and the ways your child learns the best.
Make sure you read about Rosetta Stone to see if it will fit your student (read reviews here).
The three I often recommend are Tell Me More, Power Glide, and Rosetta Stone. They can be found from most homeschool resources, including Sonlight, and RockSolid Discount Homeschool Books, as well as Amazon.com.
We used Power-Glide foreign languages with great success. Although not “new” like Rosetta Stone, it is a tried and true method for learning foreign languages. It seemed remarkably similar to the way I learned foreign languages in school. It uses a workbook format with audio CDs for listening. The workbook has translation exercises, hands-on projects, and ideas for researching countries that speak that language. Power-Glide representative are the ones that told me most language programs will work, if you are conscientious about doing it for a minimum of 15 minutes per day. It doesn’t tell you each concept – it’s discovery based. It does provide some written quizzes and tests, which we used. We did the Power-Glide French program as written, just me and my children. My son placed into third quarter French in the University and did extremely well moving into college French.
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Christianbook.com Curriculum Page
Kim Carroll says:
Just to let people know…my daughter didn’t like the Power-Glide so much, until we signed up on their website. They have transferred their packaged program to the computer; it has a lot of what you found in the books/CD’s, plus computer games, brief videos, quizzes, etc. We both love the computer on-line version. Plus, you can pay extra, and get transcript credit for it if you like/need…google Power-Glide and you should be able to find it.
April 24th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
Lee says:
Kim,
I was wondering what the new Power-Glide was all about! So many students love the computer, this would be a great curriculum to encourage them!
Even though Power-Glide worked for us, I still think it probably depends on the learning style of the student. When kids are in high school, it can really help if you let them SEE the curriculum choices you think are appropriate, and give the teenager some options to choose from.
Blessings,
Lee
April 25th, 2008 at 9:44 am
Nancy says:
My daughter, 14, is really enjoying Tell Me More by Auralog (http://www.tellmemore.com/homeschool). It goes from complete beginner to advanced (4 levels – 4 years) in one package. Our homeschool version came with 4 computer CDs, an audio Cd, and a headset which is useful for the speech recognition part of the program. I paid $150 last year (prior version) through http://www.homeschoolbuyersco-op.org/
I still think the best option is to try before you buy. I just wanted to give a 3rd option. Good luck!
January 20th, 2010 at 7:13 pm
Lisa Lewis says:
Lee…or others
My question with regard to foreign language regards credits and grading. We tried Rosetta Stone, my daughter did not like it so we stopped. I was unaware of other programs and so we used Life Pacs by Alpha Omega which were ok.
In using Power Glide or Aurolog are there tests or quizzes or something so you can give your student a grade? Is there enough work for the student to qualify for a typical high school semester or year credit?
January 27th, 2010 at 9:55 pm
Lee says:
Hi Lisa,
You can count by hours (120-180 hours is a credit) or you can count by textbook (each level of a high school program is one credit). You don’t have to test in order to do foreign language, but the best key to success is CONSISTENCY; doing it every day. To evaluate your children, you can use their daily work, tests and quizzes if available, what they write, what they read, and any other learning activities. I know that PowerGlide has tests, because that’s what I used. I believe that Auralog has some samples that you can use, and see if they have tests. Good luck!
Blessings,
Lee
January 28th, 2010 at 10:39 am
Anne says:
We have found Fluenz to be one of the best programs out there. My kids hated Rosetta Stone, but loved Fluenz!
February 19th, 2010 at 7:14 am
Sue Ann says:
We have been using Learnables for a few years which has worked out phenomenally for our family. All my boys (and I) are learning at the same time (one hour or so a day) and at the same pace so we can be conversational together. When we weighed our options, a computer based program which cost quite a bit more and was a “one person” type learning environment didn’t cut it. If they had to take turns using a computer program, that would eat away at our time spent learning together.
February 20th, 2010 at 5:29 am
Deirdre says:
Nancy-
I’m interested in joining the homeschool co-op. Do you have a referral number you’d like me to use?
February 23rd, 2010 at 11:09 am
Barb says:
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
March 12th, 2010 at 2:37 pm
Loreena Baker says:
We have really enjoyed Tell Me More Spanish this year. I think my son sounds so authentic when he is practicing. It has 4 years of material for less than we could get Rosetta Stone. We also purchased ours through the home school buyers co-op.
Hope this is helpful.
Loreena
March 31st, 2010 at 1:05 pm
Nancy says:
Hi,
I just purchased Rosetta Stone Homeschool I-V for my son for only $40 including shipping. I found it through a vendor on AliExpress.com and crossed my fingers. Luck prevailed.
So far he loves it. It is teaching him to learn the same way he learned his native Russian and now English. Plus he enjoys using the computer for learning.
October 6th, 2010 at 2:50 pm
Jill Shelton says:
I would be interested in the answer to the college credit question. We have had much success with RS. I have become fluent in Chinese – helpful with our adoptions of older children from China ;0) and keeping their native language in our home. In addition to my husband learn French for the military and relearn Spanish as well- the services use RS for all their schools and “senior command colleges”. Our children have enjoyed the programs thus far.
Plus, I would think one could Clep out during their freshman yr.
Just a thought. Can’t wait for some answers- as I too research this!
Thanks all!
October 16th, 2010 at 11:26 am
Lee says:
Every college has their own policy about what credits they will accept, so it’s impossible to make a blanket statement about what will work.
In general, colleges that accept foreign languages don’t seem to care how you learned it. Colleges that want proof of foreign language (through SAT Subject Test, CLEP, or AP) don’t see to care how you learned the language either, as long as you pass the test.
Blessings,
Lee
October 17th, 2010 at 1:57 pm
Gina says:
I have used the Berlitz method to brush up on my French and found it very useful. Berlitz teachers are native speakers so, not only do you learn the language but you also learn the culture (very important) and the right pronunciation. I used Rosetta Stone which I find to be way overpriced. As a Spanish and French teacher myself, I recommend ‘immersing’ in the language by visiting the country or surrounding yourself with native speakers to practice on a regular basis. Blessings!
December 9th, 2010 at 10:22 am
Heather says:
My children and I strongly disliked Power Glide, but they very much enjoy Rosetta Stone. I’d also recommend the Destinos DVD series for a supplement between school years.
February 10th, 2011 at 2:08 pm
Melody says:
I have used Rosetta Stone (Latin American Spanish) with my 3 children, improving my method of using the program with each child. They certainly learn pronunciation well (and love the computer componant), but the verb usage is difficult to remember unless I have them take notes on new vocabulary, and write out the verb charts as they learn them for review. We print out and do most of the suppementary written material to ensure concepts are learned well. We are fortunate that the Canadian distance learning school that we are enrolled with paid for the expensive program.
November 27th, 2011 at 11:02 am
Amy says:
We have used Synergy Spanish and the second level of that program, Bola de Nieve for the past three years. It is an outstanding program, makes learning Spanish very simple with a unique “sideways” approach to the often dreaded verb issue. I particularly like that it includes audio, translating from Spanish and into Spanish as well, so we get plenty of practice writing and reading the language. I only wish the author had similar programs for other languages!
April 24th, 2012 at 12:56 pm