Can anyone compare Potter School German with OK State?

[Liza Q]

This is for my 15yo daughter. She has just finished French 1 (LFF) and really can't stand it. I told her that she would be committed to the German for 2 years if she switched languages and she asssuuuuures me that it won't be a problem as she has always wanted to learn German. This is true - I only made her take French this year because it was easier for me and I didn't think that she would dislike it - oh well.

I have read great reviews of the OK State German online but the Potters School class looks more interactive. I just do not know how to compare them! I have the $$ budgeted for the class, so the price is not really an issue.

TIA!

[MaryM]

Yes, Potter's School German does look interesting. Is it new? We use OKS German and have finished year three so I can kinda compare with what is on the PS page...

FIrst, OKS is not tied to a particular time of day when you must meet with he class other than the weekly phone session with the instructor. For us, having flexibility was key because our son works faster and desires to do so than the schedule for many programs. THis allows us to take time off whenever we feel like it as well. (That homeschooling advantage!) Additionally, the interaction online is much more than quizzes at OKS. They employ a multitude of vehicles to teach and reinforce the material that comes from decades of teaching German. Remember this program has won the highest awards from TEACHER's of German for years. It has a solid track record in the homeschooling environment as well as the school environment since many of the students are in public schools.

OKS will not have the religious component however. IF that is a priority for you your choice is clear.

What we have found with OKS is that our son really retains the material, it is paced comfortably, there is a clever integration of grammar in a painless fashion, the speaking skills and accents are continuously tweaked and used, there are even outstanding projects in the third year where the student is writing dialog in a play after studying Faust.

I see that I am rambling (distracted) so let me end by just saying that I am sure Potter's school is an great program too. If you could speak with both teacher's yourself you might get a better picture of the differences. I know that Sabine Lewis at OKS is available for these conversations and is very easy to talk with. Good luck!

Mary

[Liza Q]

Thank you, Mary! I was all set to use the OKS and then I saw that the Potter's School offers German and I started wondering - will she enjoy being a part of a class? But your reviews of OKS are so good....sometimes I hate having so many choices!

[MaryM]

Oh, yes, if she DOES want to be part of a class that would be a big difference. Our son isn't a joiner in the "online" stuff except for anything related to World of Warcraft that is! He does enjoy the music videos in German and the other "cultural" snippets though.They have done an excellent job of bringing GErman to the student with real video footage shot in Germany. Good luck with your decision. Would it be helpful for her to maybe "sit in" on a "class" first? I know you can start and end OKU whenever you want to but know nothing about Potter's School requirements.

Mary

[Colleen]

Some time ago, I bookmarked the site for Oklahoma State's German program, thanks to you.:) I also in the past asked you some questions about it , but I need to refresh my memory. What age was your son when he began the program? My oldest just turned 13 and will be an 8th grader this fall. I have in my mind that he'd start with this the following year, as a 9th grader. Does that sound right to you? And two other questions. How much time does your son put into it, and does he study any other foreign languages?

Thanks!

[Staci in MO]

:lurk5:

[MaryM]

My son is studying Latin as well as GErman but that will stop shortly since he has absolutely no interest in continuing (nor do I!).

We started in 9th grade but ds was 12 in 9th. He has been accelerated two grade levels since early elementary by doing ALL the material for those grades but doing it faster than a year so he didn't just jump to this level.

HE puts in about 30-45 minutes a day, four days a week. Mom feels that languages are like Math and need to be done with regularity and consistency....

Depending upon a child's proclivity for language and previous language experience, the OKS program could easily be started before the "age" of high school from our experience.

Hope that satisfies you Coleen and Michele in MO!

Mary