My oldest child had a wonderful opportunity to learn French. We had friends who, like us, were working on graduate level degrees. We (this other couple and my husband and I) traded babysitting. As this couple spoke only French at home, my son was immersed in it. Soon enough, he was able to understand what was said to him in French (although he would answer in English). Our friends moved away, and my son forgot much of what he had learned, but I believe that this early exposure to another language is one of the reasons that he was able to succeed in learning other languages later on.
As a trained Speech Therapist, I am aware of the connection between age and the ability to learn language. Unfortunately, in the United States, many students do not encounter foreign languages in high school, if ever. Languages are introduced after the window for learning them in the easiest manner has passed.
According to the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, there is research to support the idea that learning a foreign language provides a child not only knowledge of that language but also improved cognitive abilities.
"Examination of a second grade additive-bilingual (Spanish-immersion) classroom, compared to a monolingual classroom for nonverbal problem-solving and native-language development, found significant differences in problem solving in favor of the bilingual class and no significant differences in native-language development."
Bamford, K. W., & Mizokawa, D. T. (1991). Additive-bilingual (immersion) education: Cognitive and language development. Language Learning, 41(3), 413-429. from ERIC database.
Furthermore, the research supports evidence of a connection between bilingualism and memory skills, intelligence, attentional control, and improved verbal and spatial abilities. The benefits of learning a second language is seen in all academic areas (math, sciences, etc.).
Well, that's fine and good, you say, but I homeschool and I don't speak a foreign language. How do I teach my child a second language?
It can be done. An obvious solution is the use of video-audio and/or computer programs. Here are links to a few of the more well known programs:
The Muzzy BBC Language Course for Children is available in French, German, Spanish, Italian, and Mandarin Chinese. There are DVD, CD-ROM and book programs available. From all I've read, it is a really good program, but can get a bit pricey.
Aussie Kim here: I got the Muzzy BBC program out from the library (years ago) and disliked the characters and the plots they used. I know they are supposed to be the bees knees but unless they have changed dramatically I would make sure you try before you buy. Have a look at Rosetta Stone first (see below). It has all the languages, works on the computer, has the necessary books and tests, plus you can get homeschool versions (see below).
Without a doubt the best way to learn a language is to hear the words and see the action or item that the words are referring to. This is how babies learn. This is an immersion course. If, as an adult you read a foreign word you will attempt to interpret it the way you pronounce your native language (and therefore normally pronounce it wrong). It is always best to simply hear and watch WITHOUT seeing how the words are spelled (particularly if you are past the age of 5). After you can speak with a good accent, then you should start to learn how to spell the words you can now pronounce properly.
Several years ago my husband paid some very good money to get Spanish Lessons from the Berlitz (world renowned) company. Once he walked into the room, not another word of English was spoken for the entire time. It was a Spanish "immersion" course. We moved to Bolivia for a couple of months, I had to catch the bus into town to buy groceries - not a word of English was spoken - I got my immersion lessons for free and sometimes caught the wrong bus home as part of the learning process.
I heard some fascinating research a while back, which involved using brain scans on people speaking foreign languages. Those who had grown up bilingual - only one area of their brains lit up, regardless of which language they spoke. Those who had learned the language past somewhere around the age of about 6, - two separate areas of their brain lit up - depending on which language they spoke. I drew the conclusion that if my kids were to want to learn a foreign language later in life, it would be better for them if they were exposed to different speech sounds while still under 6. Since my kids seemed to love singing and songs, this is the path I followed.
I used Lyric Language - Spanish/English 1
and Lyric Language - French/English 2
and Lyric Language I (German/English)
videos. The videos had great pictures, non irritating music, and native speakers. The kids would ask for these videos. It also worked well as background music when Lego or drawing was going on etc. Putting this sort of thing on the tube can give you a false sense of educating your children, but it sure seems better than cartoons for when you have no handy babysitters. Most of the links I found through Amazon for what I used were a bargain as they were for the old VHS tapes. This would be a cheap way to go!
We also used the Wee Sing Around the World tapes and Cd's in the car (still do sometimes) which have a whole range of languages on them. I was amazed at how well the children could sing the songs in the languages featured (Russian, German, Chinese, Australian....) I loved listening to these Cd's. By the way, I found ALL of the Wee Sing series excellent.
For more depth than just singing songs I highly recommend the Rosetta Stone instruction series. They are immersion teaching at the cutting edge best. My kids were introduced to it at the age of 6 and were able to work the program very well. You can use the same program for ANY age up to and including adults. We used it for 15 minutes a school day last year, the eldest often did it for longer than that because she just wanted too. It comes with text for learning to spell the taught words and grammar (of course, this would ideally be used AFTER you have the accent down pat).
This will link you straight through to the site where you can download up to 3 times and test it out before you buy.
Auf wiedersehn, salute, chow, hasta la vista Baby..........................
Okay, now that Kim has covered most of the major ones, here are a few extra links that I found on the net. I'm not recommending any of these, as I am not really familiar with them, but I thought I would include them for your perusal.
Discovery Foreign Language Program
This site has parent reviews:
http://www.emboldening.orgy/Foreign Language.shtml
If anyone has any experience with a foreign language system, and would like to share the experience with us, please leave a comment. Grahsie Arss.
In Australia, this day is a public holiday, except if it falls on a weekend, then we make it a long weekend. What is the choice activity for Australia Day? Well, the Prime Minister (equivalent to President) gives a short address and announces the Australian of the Year etc. Remember we are talking Southern Hemisphere, so for the vast majority of the population think sunshine. That is: beach, pool, barbie (BBQ), and in the Australian tradition, one or many beers. I was on the banks of Sydney Harbor with a bunch of friends the whole day for the bicentennial celebration - it was an amazing sight I will never forget. There was a fleet of tall ships, some of which had sailed all the way from England. Anyone who had a boat was on the harbor. The fireworks seemed to go on forever that evening. That was, OH MY GOSH....20 years ago in 1988. OK, moving right along, t
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