Like too many people I know, I speak only one language - English. My 11-year-old daughter, who is homeschooled, wants to learn French and Spanish, and I'd love to learn them with her.
I've heard Rosetta Stone Language Courses are great, but they don't come cheap. Can anyone share their experiences with other foreign language programs? Maybe one that's not $300. :-/
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I know I learned English the easy way: I watched kids' tv on BBC, and then when I could grasp it a bit, I started reading little easy English texts, and went from there.
I think that is still the best way, but it takes time. Lots of time.
I think that is still the best way, but it takes time. Lots of time.
I think it's sooooo sad that most Americans don't know another language.
Did you know that only 60% of the American people have a passport? I think thats really sad.
Another useless fact. The first female gouvernor of Texas didn't allow people by law, to learn a second language. She said: "If english was good enough for Jesus Christ, it should be good enough for us"
No kidding`1
Did you know that only 60% of the American people have a passport? I think thats really sad.
Another useless fact. The first female gouvernor of Texas didn't allow people by law, to learn a second language. She said: "If english was good enough for Jesus Christ, it should be good enough for us"
No kidding`1
Order Muzzy.
He is your friend.
He is your friend.
A candidate for the Texas elections was accused of violating the Cuba-embargo (which, IMHO, should be abolished anyway, because it hurts the PEOPLE of Cuba most) by smoking Havana-cigars.
He replied: "I'm not smoking their tobacco; I'm burning down their plantations!"
I think he should be governor. He may not have a brain, but neither do the other candidates. At least this one has wit.
Having said that, I agree with FriedChicken.
He replied: "I'm not smoking their tobacco; I'm burning down their plantations!"
I think he should be governor. He may not have a brain, but neither do the other candidates. At least this one has wit.
Having said that, I agree with FriedChicken.
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]FriedChicken<br><font size=1>The Almighty</font> wrote: [/QUOTENAME] Another useless fact. The first female gouvernor of Texas didn't allow people by law, to learn a second language. She said: "If english was good enough for Jesus Christ, it should be good enough for us"
[/QUOTE]
That's just disgusting.
Over here, foreign language isn't taught until the upper grades - like 7th, or if you're lucky, 6th. I think it should be taught from when the kids enter kindergarten. I remember mentioning this to my daughter's elementary school principal. She dismissed the idea as if I were a fool she had no time for. There's so much about how kids here are taught that I disagree with - which is why I'm now a homeschooling parent.
TQ - about learning from watching and reading - that probably is the best way, but as you said, it takes a lot of time. We're just getting into the homeschooling routine and hoped for something we could incorporate into our day - even CDs we can listen to on the way to a museum, you know? Something to get us going.
Rick - Muzzy!! So funny. I'd forgotten all about that. I have the Spanish videos and booklet somewhere. My daughter used to watch them instead of Sesame Street. I hope I can find them. Thanks!
[/QUOTE]
That's just disgusting.
Over here, foreign language isn't taught until the upper grades - like 7th, or if you're lucky, 6th. I think it should be taught from when the kids enter kindergarten. I remember mentioning this to my daughter's elementary school principal. She dismissed the idea as if I were a fool she had no time for. There's so much about how kids here are taught that I disagree with - which is why I'm now a homeschooling parent.
TQ - about learning from watching and reading - that probably is the best way, but as you said, it takes a lot of time. We're just getting into the homeschooling routine and hoped for something we could incorporate into our day - even CDs we can listen to on the way to a museum, you know? Something to get us going.
Rick - Muzzy!! So funny. I'd forgotten all about that. I have the Spanish videos and booklet somewhere. My daughter used to watch them instead of Sesame Street. I hope I can find them. Thanks!
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]<b><font color = "crimson"> ThomasQuinn wrote: [/QUOTENAME]I know I learned English the easy way: I watched kids' tv on BBC, and then when I could grasp it a bit, I started reading little easy English texts, and went from there.
I think that is still the best way, but it takes time. Lots of time.[/QUOTE]
I think it's the best way combined with lessons.
I'm still studying English, but I do practise a lot. There are people who study with me and can't make a sentence to save their lives - and they refuse to practise.
But I also have a couple of friends learning the same way you did, without teachers, and their grammar never seems to get better.
I think that is still the best way, but it takes time. Lots of time.[/QUOTE]
I think it's the best way combined with lessons.
I'm still studying English, but I do practise a lot. There are people who study with me and can't make a sentence to save their lives - and they refuse to practise.
But I also have a couple of friends learning the same way you did, without teachers, and their grammar never seems to get better.
mee habla englis good
pute
pute
... I don't have any experience with books or tapes...
But from my experiences so far in school, I have taken one year of French and and on my fourth year of Spanish (they "cut" the French programme, and the Japanese one was cut a year before I got there - and no other language classes are offered)...
I liked the French teacher's teaching style better. We spent more time speaking French than doing "paper-work". Yes, learning the spelling is good - and I would always read ahead in the French book (which helped), but for me, the hearing it and talking about it is what really "taught" me. But, there were other people that learned in other ways, too.
Actually, my brother and I "taught ourselves" some French for about a week in the summer. I think we just had a book - and what we remembered from television... I ended up learning in that time everything we did for the first quarter of French class. It wasn't a special book - just a dictionary, though not so great for grammar, we did learn out colours and numbers and animals and such.
Listening to music in that language can be helpful - especially when I'm looking at a lyrics book that tells me what I'm hearing (though, not necessarily a translation - I mean, the lyrics in that language so that when I listen I can separate the words instead of mushing them all together).
The best second-language experiences that I've had involve a lot more listening and speaking than paper-work (then again, I've never tried to learn Chinese or Japanese...).
And I think it's great that you're interested in helping your daughter learn a second (or third !) language - not many "adults" around here think that has any value (thus the "cut" French programme - even when it was not that expensive to run compared to other things they have kept and added - such as a bathroom on the sports' field).
I don't know if I helped at all... :
O, also - learning the basics of a language like Spanish helped me GREATLY with learning French. The structures are similar - and there are not only English-to-French cognates, but Spanish-to-French cognates, too !
But from my experiences so far in school, I have taken one year of French and and on my fourth year of Spanish (they "cut" the French programme, and the Japanese one was cut a year before I got there - and no other language classes are offered)...
I liked the French teacher's teaching style better. We spent more time speaking French than doing "paper-work". Yes, learning the spelling is good - and I would always read ahead in the French book (which helped), but for me, the hearing it and talking about it is what really "taught" me. But, there were other people that learned in other ways, too.
Actually, my brother and I "taught ourselves" some French for about a week in the summer. I think we just had a book - and what we remembered from television... I ended up learning in that time everything we did for the first quarter of French class. It wasn't a special book - just a dictionary, though not so great for grammar, we did learn out colours and numbers and animals and such.
Listening to music in that language can be helpful - especially when I'm looking at a lyrics book that tells me what I'm hearing (though, not necessarily a translation - I mean, the lyrics in that language so that when I listen I can separate the words instead of mushing them all together).
The best second-language experiences that I've had involve a lot more listening and speaking than paper-work (then again, I've never tried to learn Chinese or Japanese...).
And I think it's great that you're interested in helping your daughter learn a second (or third !) language - not many "adults" around here think that has any value (thus the "cut" French programme - even when it was not that expensive to run compared to other things they have kept and added - such as a bathroom on the sports' field).
I don't know if I helped at all... :
O, also - learning the basics of a language like Spanish helped me GREATLY with learning French. The structures are similar - and there are not only English-to-French cognates, but Spanish-to-French cognates, too !
Great idea to learn a second language!!! French and Spanish are a good choice...but you may not want to do them both. They are closely related enough that it may confuse the kids if you try to do them both. However, since they are both latin based languages, once you get one down, it's very easy to learn the other one (without much other work). The earlier you start with the foreign languages, the easier they are, and I think that everyone should learn one.
Now, I personally speak French (probably badly, but it's been a while). In order to brush up, I bought a Computer CD rom 5 disc set from the campus bookstore called "Instant Immersion French" which I've found is very good, and would be easy for the kids to play. It's very visual, and the first disc is really good about vocabulary you will need later. However, you should get a good 101 type of book (you can get them at any university bookstore) to help with the written parts of the language.
Bon Chance!
Now, I personally speak French (probably badly, but it's been a while). In order to brush up, I bought a Computer CD rom 5 disc set from the campus bookstore called "Instant Immersion French" which I've found is very good, and would be easy for the kids to play. It's very visual, and the first disc is really good about vocabulary you will need later. However, you should get a good 101 type of book (you can get them at any university bookstore) to help with the written parts of the language.
Bon Chance!
I'm Learning Spanish from Dora The Explora
I was lucky because my mom could speak both French and Latin fluently, so that is what I took in school. I also took American Sign Language in college and would love to take more classes...
I don't have any suggestions, although I think it's a great idea that you and your daughter take the class together! Hope you can find somewhere cheap that gives good classes. :-)
I don't have any suggestions, although I think it's a great idea that you and your daughter take the class together! Hope you can find somewhere cheap that gives good classes. :-)
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]<font color=red>The Audacity of Charles wrote: [/QUOTENAME]... I don't know if I helped at all... :
O, also - learning the basics of a language like Spanish helped me GREATLY with learning French. The structures are similar - and there are not only English-to-French cognates, but Spanish-to-French cognates, too ! [/QUOTE]
You did help, thank you. I wondered if learning one language would help or hurt our ability to learn another, but this clarified that. Very cool.
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]CMU HistoryGirl wrote: [/QUOTENAME] Great idea to learn a second language!!! French and Spanish are a good choice...but you may not want to do them both. They are closely related enough that it may confuse the kids if you try to do them both. However, since they are both latin based languages, once you get one down, it's very easy to learn the other one (without much other work). [/QUOTE]
I hadn't thought about that. So, I’m guessing Spanish first, and then French. Sometimes it seems Spanish is spoken here more than English, so learning it first makes sense... especially if knowing it will help us learn French.
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]CMU HistoryGirl wrote: [/QUOTENAME]
Now, I personally speak French (probably badly, but it's been a while). In order to brush up, I bought a Computer CD rom 5 disc set from the campus bookstore called "Instant Immersion French" which I've found is very good, and would be easy for the kids to play. It's very visual, and the first disc is really good about vocabulary you will need later. However, you should get a good 101 type of book (you can get them at any university bookstore) to help with the written parts of the language.
Bon Chance!
[/QUOTE]
Excellent! Thank you so much, I’ll look into this.
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]<font color=purple>Miss James wrote: [/QUOTENAME] I was lucky because my mom could speak both French and Latin fluently, so that is what I took in school. I also took American Sign Language in college and would love to take more classes...
I don't have any suggestions, although I think it's a great idea that you and your daughter take the class together! Hope you can find somewhere cheap that gives good classes. :-) [/QUOTE]
American Sign Language. You know, I met someone years ago who was a teacher for deaf children. I told her I’d always wanted to learn to sign, and she became hostile. She grilled me on who I knew that was deaf and if I’d ever encountered a situation where sign language was necessary. It was a bizarre reaction. Actually, it was more of an attack than anything else. I wondered if I’d somehow insulted her, but I can’t imagine how.
Well... all that to ask how you learned. I have books but feedback from someone who knows is priceless.
O, also - learning the basics of a language like Spanish helped me GREATLY with learning French. The structures are similar - and there are not only English-to-French cognates, but Spanish-to-French cognates, too ! [/QUOTE]
You did help, thank you. I wondered if learning one language would help or hurt our ability to learn another, but this clarified that. Very cool.
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]CMU HistoryGirl wrote: [/QUOTENAME] Great idea to learn a second language!!! French and Spanish are a good choice...but you may not want to do them both. They are closely related enough that it may confuse the kids if you try to do them both. However, since they are both latin based languages, once you get one down, it's very easy to learn the other one (without much other work). [/QUOTE]
I hadn't thought about that. So, I’m guessing Spanish first, and then French. Sometimes it seems Spanish is spoken here more than English, so learning it first makes sense... especially if knowing it will help us learn French.
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]CMU HistoryGirl wrote: [/QUOTENAME]
Now, I personally speak French (probably badly, but it's been a while). In order to brush up, I bought a Computer CD rom 5 disc set from the campus bookstore called "Instant Immersion French" which I've found is very good, and would be easy for the kids to play. It's very visual, and the first disc is really good about vocabulary you will need later. However, you should get a good 101 type of book (you can get them at any university bookstore) to help with the written parts of the language.
Bon Chance!
[/QUOTE]
Excellent! Thank you so much, I’ll look into this.
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]<font color=purple>Miss James wrote: [/QUOTENAME] I was lucky because my mom could speak both French and Latin fluently, so that is what I took in school. I also took American Sign Language in college and would love to take more classes...
I don't have any suggestions, although I think it's a great idea that you and your daughter take the class together! Hope you can find somewhere cheap that gives good classes. :-) [/QUOTE]
American Sign Language. You know, I met someone years ago who was a teacher for deaf children. I told her I’d always wanted to learn to sign, and she became hostile. She grilled me on who I knew that was deaf and if I’d ever encountered a situation where sign language was necessary. It was a bizarre reaction. Actually, it was more of an attack than anything else. I wondered if I’d somehow insulted her, but I can’t imagine how.
Well... all that to ask how you learned. I have books but feedback from someone who knows is priceless.
MERDE!
:)
:)
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]magicalfreddiemercury wrote: [/QUOTENAME][QUOTE][QUOTENAME]<font color=red>The Audacity of Charles wrote: [/QUOTENAME]... I don't know if I helped at all... :
O, also - learning the basics of a language like Spanish helped me GREATLY with learning French. The structures are similar - and there are not only English-to-French cognates, but Spanish-to-French cognates, too ! [/QUOTE]
You did help, thank you. I wondered if learning one language would help or hurt our ability to learn another, but this clarified that. Very cool.
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]CMU HistoryGirl wrote: [/QUOTENAME] Great idea to learn a second language!!! French and Spanish are a good choice...but you may not want to do them both. They are closely related enough that it may confuse the kids if you try to do them both. However, since they are both latin based languages, once you get one down, it's very easy to learn the other one (without much other work). [/QUOTE]
I hadn't thought about that. So, I’m guessing Spanish first, and then French. Sometimes it seems Spanish is spoken here more than English, so learning it first makes sense... especially if knowing it will help us learn French.
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]CMU HistoryGirl wrote: [/QUOTENAME]
Now, I personally speak French (probably badly, but it's been a while). In order to brush up, I bought a Computer CD rom 5 disc set from the campus bookstore called "Instant Immersion French" which I've found is very good, and would be easy for the kids to play. It's very visual, and the first disc is really good about vocabulary you will need later. However, you should get a good 101 type of book (you can get them at any university bookstore) to help with the written parts of the language.
Bon Chance!
[/QUOTE]
Excellent! Thank you so much, I’ll look into this.
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]<font color=purple>Miss James wrote: [/QUOTENAME] I was lucky because my mom could speak both French and Latin fluently, so that is what I took in school. I also took American Sign Language in college and would love to take more classes...
I don't have any suggestions, although I think it's a great idea that you and your daughter take the class together! Hope you can find somewhere cheap that gives good classes. :-) [/QUOTE]
American Sign Language. You know, I met someone years ago who was a teacher for deaf children. I told her I’d always wanted to learn to sign, and she became hostile. She grilled me on who I knew that was deaf and if I’d ever encountered a situation where sign language was necessary. It was a bizarre reaction. Actually, it was more of an attack than anything else. I wondered if I’d somehow insulted her, but I can’t imagine how.
Well... all that to ask how you learned. I have books but feedback from someone who knows is priceless.
[/QUOTE]
The woman wasn't actually deaf, was she? I do know that sometimes deaf people can become very defensive, but as for a hearing woman that teaches I have no idea why she would react like that. Maybe it was self-righteousness on her part that she could speak the language? I dunno...
Personally, I love Sign Language and would like to become fluent enough that I could use it when I teach in public schools if need be. Right now I teach some basics (colors and letters mostly) to the three year olds in my class and I love when they can show me certain signs.
O, also - learning the basics of a language like Spanish helped me GREATLY with learning French. The structures are similar - and there are not only English-to-French cognates, but Spanish-to-French cognates, too ! [/QUOTE]
You did help, thank you. I wondered if learning one language would help or hurt our ability to learn another, but this clarified that. Very cool.
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]CMU HistoryGirl wrote: [/QUOTENAME] Great idea to learn a second language!!! French and Spanish are a good choice...but you may not want to do them both. They are closely related enough that it may confuse the kids if you try to do them both. However, since they are both latin based languages, once you get one down, it's very easy to learn the other one (without much other work). [/QUOTE]
I hadn't thought about that. So, I’m guessing Spanish first, and then French. Sometimes it seems Spanish is spoken here more than English, so learning it first makes sense... especially if knowing it will help us learn French.
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]CMU HistoryGirl wrote: [/QUOTENAME]
Now, I personally speak French (probably badly, but it's been a while). In order to brush up, I bought a Computer CD rom 5 disc set from the campus bookstore called "Instant Immersion French" which I've found is very good, and would be easy for the kids to play. It's very visual, and the first disc is really good about vocabulary you will need later. However, you should get a good 101 type of book (you can get them at any university bookstore) to help with the written parts of the language.
Bon Chance!
[/QUOTE]
Excellent! Thank you so much, I’ll look into this.
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]<font color=purple>Miss James wrote: [/QUOTENAME] I was lucky because my mom could speak both French and Latin fluently, so that is what I took in school. I also took American Sign Language in college and would love to take more classes...
I don't have any suggestions, although I think it's a great idea that you and your daughter take the class together! Hope you can find somewhere cheap that gives good classes. :-) [/QUOTE]
American Sign Language. You know, I met someone years ago who was a teacher for deaf children. I told her I’d always wanted to learn to sign, and she became hostile. She grilled me on who I knew that was deaf and if I’d ever encountered a situation where sign language was necessary. It was a bizarre reaction. Actually, it was more of an attack than anything else. I wondered if I’d somehow insulted her, but I can’t imagine how.
Well... all that to ask how you learned. I have books but feedback from someone who knows is priceless.
[/QUOTE]
The woman wasn't actually deaf, was she? I do know that sometimes deaf people can become very defensive, but as for a hearing woman that teaches I have no idea why she would react like that. Maybe it was self-righteousness on her part that she could speak the language? I dunno...
Personally, I love Sign Language and would like to become fluent enough that I could use it when I teach in public schools if need be. Right now I teach some basics (colors and letters mostly) to the three year olds in my class and I love when they can show me certain signs.