4Real Forums: Spanish Curriculum

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Topic: Spanish Curriculum

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booboosmom
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Joined: Dec 29 2005
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Posted: Dec 29 2005 at 2:14pm \| IP Logged

I am a longtime lurker, first time poster! Finally couldn't resist... My question for you all is: does anyone use a Spanish curriculum you could recommend? I have started homeschooling my two sons this year, ages five and seven, and would like to start the new year with a foreign language. I have chosen Spanish because A) I speak it well and B) we live in an area wherein some knowledge of Spanish is very useful.
I am so glad I found this forum; I have been so inspired over the past few months just reading it.

tovlo4801
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Joined: Feb 28 2005
Location: Minnesota
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Posted: Dec 29 2005 at 5:03pm \| IP Logged

Welcome!

I'm sure the women here will have many other good suggestions, but I'll give you a couple.

I like Rosetta Stone. We can do it free through our local library system. I've gone through a couple levels for myself and thought it would be a wonderful way to do a language with my sons. Unfortunately my sons hate it.

But I know many others love it.

Another suggestion that I thought was wonderful (probably got here somewhere) but haven't implemented yet, is to just read familiar books in Spanish (check your library) and to watch familiar movies with the Spanish subtitles on.

Couple of ideas to start anyway. Good luck with your search!

cathhomeschool
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Texas Bluebonnets

Joined: Jan 26 2005
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Posted: Dec 29 2005 at 7:24pm \| IP Logged

I speak Spanish fluently, and my older two boys did when they were small, but they have forgotten MUCH. I am now trying to re-teach them and teach the little ones too. As Richelle suggested, I am just using books in Spanish from our library and I have bought some simple picture dictionary and Richard Scarry type books in Spanish to help build vocabulary. My main tactic, though, is to try to speak to them more, translating and pointing as necessary. They groan at first, but comply when I remind them that the alternative is a Spanish curriculum!

FYI... I'm moving this thread to the It's a Great Big World Forum. There are some old posts there that might help answer your question: Rosetta Stone
Learning Spanish with Grace

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Janette (4 boys - 22, 21, 15, 14)

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ALmom
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Joined: May 18 2005
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Posted: Dec 29 2005 at 9:26pm \| IP Logged

If you are looking for books in Spanish, Seton does have a bunch of Catholic books in Spanish to go along with their program. I wouldn't necessarily recommend doing Spanish with them but they do have a number of resources.

We chose a tutor for our highschooler and ordered Learning Spanish with Grace to use with the youngers. Haven't managed to pull it out yet (or our Missal Latin) so cannot say much about those.

Did hear a fantastic idea from a homeschooling family in the area. They made stickers and attached them to items in the home. They were laughing about garage sale items that they forgot to take the stickers off - still labeled with the Spanish name. This could be done with whatever program and any age.

I know being able to speak and hear is the hardest part for homeschoolers - neither my husband or I are fluent in any language. So for speaking and hearing, we felt a real live person was essential and are willing to pay for it. If the dc were younger, perhaps we could get this part in a more informal way. Even tapes are second best to communicating with a real live person. Just my opinion.

Janet

Natalia
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Joined: Feb 07 2005
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Posted: Dec 29 2005 at 9:53pm \| IP Logged

I am a native Spanish speaker but my kids are learning Spanish as a second language. I have used learnables . I like that it takes a few minutes a day. When I went to the Dominican Republic this summer I noticed the difference in my ds (8) and how much he understood and could communicate.
Another thing I have begun to do is reading stories to them and then asking for a short narration. I use books that they have already read in English and that I have found translated into Spanish. Our local Barnes and Noble has a pretty decent Spanish section. I also have purchase Spanish books at lectorum . They are a division of scholastic and have an excellent selection of Spanish books.
If you speak the language the best thing is to talk to them in Spanish but I know that is easier said than done.

Natalia

Kelly
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Joined: Feb 21 2005
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Posted: Jan 03 2006 at 9:15am \| IP Logged

If you keep your eyes open (or check the library) you can find familiar movies in Spanish. For example, we have "Homeward Bound" in Spanish, as well as "Stella Luna". Both of these have very familiar story lines and work really well in Spanish, clear and not too complicated. I've noticed that when I've been strict with doling out movies, getting to watch ANY movie (even in another language!) is a treat for my little rascals and will keep their attention! And they definitely do pick up expressions and accent. Many DVDs come with a foreign language option now, too. I noticed all the lego movies offer French as well as an English option. Foreign flicks with subtitles work well with older children, too (just watch out, the foreign movies are generally unrated and might hold some surprises if you're not careful!

Of course, that goes for all movies, alas)

For older children, a really good gambit is to pick up a foreign language paper or magazine, select the smallest article that looks interesting, and have them work their way thru the article with their dictionary. If they're having problems, you can even begin with photo captions. It's good practice.

Kelly in FL

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