Galore Park Spanish...

[Violet]

Does anyone know what ages this is for? If one completes all three levels of this, is that enough for 3 high school Spanish credits, or no? Also, any thoughts on the program would be great, too!

Any info is greatly appreciated!

Anita

[Patricia in WA]

We use this and I am pretty sure it is for ages 11-13. However, it is way more than I have seen in any high school text. At minimum it would definately earn your child 2 credits for all 3 levels. Perhaps the 3 year you could do a literature course in Spanish. That is what the 12th graders in my high school did.

[Patricia in WA]

I guess I read it too fast last time (days have been a blur of activity over here) and did not see that you wanted more info about the program. I have written about it a little here (http://classicaledourway.blogspot.com/2007/11/spanish-part-2.html). If you still have questions, I will be happy to answer. First I need to know how much of an introduction to Spanish your child has had?

HTHs,

[CynthiaOK]

Patricia, thanks for the link to your comments. I found them very helpful. I ordered all 3 levels for my son (10th), but was only able to get the CDs for level 3 (since I didn't want to pay $60 each!) It encouraged me to read that I might not need the CDs. I can read and pronounce OK, but am rather a Spanish language novice. I have the TMs and it all looks like something we can do. I hope you stick around a while because I will probably need more help from you ;)

[Violet]

Thank you to both of you for your comments! I appreciate your insights. I'm going to think on this. It looks really good but I just don't know if it's going to be too much to tackle Spanish now with Latin.

Thank you again,
Anita

[Patricia in WA]

How long have you been doing Latin? My oldest did Latin for 2 years before we formally began studying Spanish. She has however heard it spoken since birth. She finds that her Latin knowledge helps a bunch with her Spanish. So it may be an advantage. I think they reinforce each and can be done at the same time. Also student desire and drive is a real plus.

HTHs,

[StephanieZ]

website has a info sheet that lists SYRWTLS 1 as appropriate for "from Year 7" (which is age 11-12 a.k.a. U.S. Grade 6); SYRWTLS 2 as appropriate "from Year 8" (e.g., Gr 7); SYRWTLS 3 as "from Year 9) E.g., from Gr 8).

http://www.galorepark.co.uk/product/textbooks/46/so-you-really-want-to-learn-spanish-book-1.html

I just got Year 1 in the mail and spent the evening making up Unit 1 flashcards. It looks really rigorous to me. I'd imagine that the 3 years are at least equivalent to 2 years high school, maybe 3.

Hope that helps!

[Violet]

How long have you been doing Latin? My oldest did Latin for 2 years before we formally began studying Spanish. She has however heard it spoken since birth. She finds that her Latin knowledge helps a bunch with her Spanish. So it may be an advantage. I think they reinforce each and can be done at the same time. Also student desire and drive is a real plus.

HTHs,

Only two years, the first Prima Latina and this year LC 1, which went okay. I'd been planning to do Henle with Lingua Latina with her this year. However, I think that Latin Prep might just be way more fun for her, and I think that could be a good thing.

So, I guess we'll see how it goes. My one goal is to not overburden her this year with too much stuff that we cannot get done and done well.

Thanks,
Anita

[Violet]

website has a info sheet that lists SYRWTLS 1 as appropriate for "from Year 7" (which is age 11-12 a.k.a. U.S. Grade 6); SYRWTLS 2 as appropriate "from Year 8" (e.g., Gr 7); SYRWTLS 3 as "from Year 9) E.g., from Gr 8).

http://www.galorepark.co.uk/product/textbooks/46/so-you-really-want-to-learn-spanish-book-1.html

I just got Year 1 in the mail and spent the evening making up Unit 1 flashcards. It looks really rigorous to me. I'd imagine that the 3 years are at least equivalent to 2 years high school, maybe 3.

Hope that helps!

Thanks! So, it sounds like that means that you should start each of those levels no earlier than what they recommend, but that they are fine for older children. Can I ask where you ordered your books from and how long they took to arrive?

Anita

[CynthiaOK]

I ordered my copies directly from Galore Park. The order was processed on 7/4 and I received the books on 7/21. The shipping is expensive, but the books are greatly reduced right now as are the CDs for Book 3.

[Laura Corin]

Alternative sources are Ray at Horriblebooks.com (he's preparing to put in an order that takes advantage of the Galore Park sale, I believe) and bookdepository.co.uk. I've used the latter several times - they offer free shipping and slight discounting. The books have arrived within about ten days to Hong Kong.

Laura

[Patricia in WA]

My dd had previously done Minimus, more than half way through LC1 and less than half of LP1. However she is language driven. If you have done LC1, you should be able to move quickly through some parts of LP1. The benefit of LP is that they immediately put into practice what they teach. It is not memorizing grammar chants for the sake of memorizing.

That was our biggest gripe with LC. There was no actual practice. In LP you are using the vocabulary learned in translating sentence from English to Latin and Latin to English right in the first chapter. The humor is great and the attitude toward the student is one of "This is difficult but not impossible. Learn X, Y, and Z but don't forget A and you will be successful." I will now stop singing Latin Prep praises again!!!! :D

Here is an idea. Since the Spanish books are on sale (some of them) I would buy the level 1 books and work through them myself so when your dd is ready for them you will be as well. It will also help you assess whether they are a good fit. If they are not, I am sure you could resell them easily. I suggest this because it is what I wish I would have done with French. I should have refreshed my memory ahead of my dd. She is past what I can help her with now and she is not confident although still enjoying it very much.

HTHs,

[Violet]

My dd had previously done Minimus, more than half way through LC1 and less than half of LP1. However she is language driven. If you have done LC1, you should be able to move quickly through some parts of LP1. The benefit of LP is that they immediately put into practice what they teach. It is not memorizing grammar chants for the sake of memorizing.

That was our biggest gripe with LC. There was no actual practice. In LP you are using the vocabulary learned in translating sentence from English to Latin and Latin to English right in the first chapter. The humor is great and the attitude toward the student is one of "This is difficult but not impossible. Learn X, Y, and Z but don't forget A and you will be successful." I will now stop singing Latin Prep praises again!!!! :D

Here is an idea. Since the Spanish books are on sale (some of them) I would buy the level 1 books and work through them myself so when your dd is ready for them you will be as well. It will also help you assess whether they are a good fit. If they are not, I am sure you could resell them easily. I suggest this because it is what I wish I would have done with French. I should have refreshed my memory ahead of my dd. She is past what I can help her with now and she is not confident although still enjoying it very much.

HTHs,

I agree with your comments about LC. Your suggestion regarding Spanish is great. Perhaps I will do that. As for Latin, I do think Latin Prep will work out well for her with supplementing of Lingua Latina.

Thank you again for all your help!

Anita