Foreign Language?

[Lacie]

What age do y'all suggest starting Spanish or another second language class? Any program suggestions? I have heard that Rosetta Stone is good, but I don't know anything about it or what ages it is good for. Thanks. - Michelle

[GVA]

I speak "playground" Spanish (i.e. I learned the basics growing up in the Southwest, never took it formally) and am fairly fluent in German, having taking from 7th grade through a minor in college.

I've done verbal Spanish with them from the beginning of our homeschooling journal on. We did a Level of "La Clase Divertida" and then are doing "The Easy Spanish" now, which frankly I wouldn't recommend unless you are comfortable teaching a language because it's kind of loosely structured. A lot of people don't like it for that reason. And I speak Spanish frequently to my children during the day. My goal is to obtain some level of verbal fluency, basic ability to figure written Spanish, and then to have them take formal Spanish with the grammar in high school from someone else. You won't learn a language unless you practice a lot and unless it's second nature. I've never looked at Rosetta Stone for that reason. I think it's better to practice with a live individual if possible if your goal is verbal fluency.

Then my children start Latin in 3rd grade with Minimus (mostly vocabulary) and then do Matin Latin and Latin Grammar(also loosely structured and not popular on this board).

[sagira]

What ages do you have in mind? There was a thread on this very recently..

[Jennefer@SSA]

Most research says that the earlier you start the better chance a child will have at truly becoming fluent! My ds7 started last year in first grade but I am amazed at how much his younger brother (3) is picking up. There is something in the brain that is truly like a sponge when it comes to young kids learning language. Start now! :)

Here is a cut and paste from my answer about which curriculum we use for Spanish and why:

If you kids are interested in a foreign language then I would most definitely go for it!!!! We started Spanish in 1st and will add Latin in 5th. We will add a third language (of ds's choice) in 9th. I want him to be completely bilingual when he leaves home so the earlier we started the better!

I would recommend the Elementary Spanish Program on Discovery Streamin (http://streaming.discoveryeducation.com/index.cfm)g. I have a Spanish degree but honestly don't have the time with a 3yo and a 2yo along with a special needs 7yo to teach it myself. You can buy a subscription to Discovery Streaming or Discovery Streaming Plus for a huge discount through the Homeschool Buyers Co-op Group Buys (http://www.homeschoolbuyersco-op.org/group-buys/). They are now offering both the basic subscription and the PLUS version which has tons more videos. I use the basic subscription and am very pleased.

I decided on using this b/c the stand alone Spanish program I was going to buy - also video based- was going to cost more that just a subscription to DS. And with DS you get 1000's of other educational videos as well. We have been very happy with their Spanish program and this is our second year using it. If you have any additional questions, feel free to ask away - or PM me.

[Lacie]

Thanks for the help. I'm still not sure what we are going to do, but atleast now I have some things to research.

My boys are 3 and 18 months. - Michelle

[mumtoo3]

my dd1 started spanish very lightly at age 2.5yr, but we started heavier at 5, using flip flop spanish which is lovely and she is doing really well and most importantly enjoying it :)

[Laura Corin]

I would start a modern foreign language as early as possible, preferably through immersion (playgroup or similar). Thereafter, I've heard good things about the Galore Park Spanish course for ages 9 and up, but I haven't used it.

Best wishes

Laura

[sagira]

With ds I did exposure first (cartoons, videos, people speaking) and now he's graduated to knowing some words with good pronunciation, and now that we started homeschooling at 5, he's playing on a computer program and picking up words faster than ever. I'm there to support him, as I speak Spanish fluently. Sometimes I'll have a short conversation with him. I also have books that I'm reading to him from time to time.

I agree with the others: as soon as possible. Ds thought Rosetta Stone was boring. I think it's geared more towards adults too. For an older child I don't think it would be a problem -- I'm guessing 10 and over. Perhaps even a mature 8 or 9.

In 2nd we're going to do El Espanol Facil (The Easy Spanish), and from there we're heading over to Spanish for Children (not sure how much each overlaps). After that I think we're going to do Galore Park, then Nuevas Vistas. Then a Spanish Lit program. Can you tell I like to plan?

[CleoQc]

I have two bilingual kids. For various reasons, they were not really exposed to English before the age of 5. Then through various immersions, and read-alouds, they've reached fluency. DS (now 11!) is able to do Sonlight Core 6 (English is our second language) so that gives you an idea of his fluency level.
DD (8) is still at the read-aloud stage, but she can hold a kid level conversation without a problem.