Tuesday 15 October 2013

Seeking to Learn a New Language

This weeks topic has me a little at a loss for words.  Personally I speak two languages (English and Afrikaans) and understand three more (Flemish easily, Dutch and German (if spoken slowly)). How I came to reading, writing and speaking a second language fluently was through immersion.  When I was five years old we moved across the country from beautiful Cape Town to Pretoria and our neighbours were Afrikaans families.  Through friendships I learned to speak and understand Afrikaans fluently.  Due to this I feel that immersion at a young age is the easiest and fastest way to learn a second language.

Having said all this however, it is not that easy when you live in a country that is English. I have searched for an online programm for young students in vain.  This is the ONE home school product sorely lacking world wide.  All the programs I have looked at need a student to be at a grade three to four level before commencing second language studies.

Personally I really really like Rosetta Stone products and this is the program we will be using to learn French as soon as Sir N is reading a little more fluently.   

Choosing a second Language
There were a number of factors I took into consideration when choosing French as our second (my third) language.  In Australia Chinese (Mandarin) is often the language of choice as we are really close the Asian market geographically.  I chose not to study this as you can not use it world wide.  The two languages that I looked at were French and Spanish. In the end we settled on French as it is spoken in more countries in the world than Spanish and if we do ever travel internationally it would serve us well. I chose not to teach my children Afrikaans as this language is only spoken in South Africa and can only be understood in Finland and some parts of Holland.

When looking at second language options be sure to ask yourself why that particular language and when your child will ever use it ?

Is Latin a second Language ?
That depends on how you view it.  In one sense it is and in another no because it is not actively spoken in any one country in the world today.  Having said this it is a root language to English and will help your student to understand and perform in the language arts arena far more easily with a basic knowledge of it.  In the science fields it is well and truly alive and will serve your student well to have a working knowledge of it for the high school years.

Resources
Can you recommend a French program for young students ?

Blessings
Chareen
This post is part of the Homeschool Help series brought to you by a group of home school Mom's from around the globe.  Do not forget to visit and read their inspirational insight.


This week
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Crisis image courtesy of Free Digital Photo's -  Sheelamohan

Friday 11 October 2013

HSMJ - The highlight of this week is ...

In my life this week…
I found out that one of Paul's photographs has been selected to be printed and put on display at Michaels Camera Store in Melbourne.
I have also enjoyed collecting cards to make up packs of cards from the Woolworths Aussie Animals.  If you are in need of a card join the Facebook Group Woolworths Aussie Animal Card Swop There are a wonderful bunch of ladies on there willing to post out cards to people who need them. If you want an album you can now print the pages from the Woolworths site.
Please pray for a baby boy called Benjamin.  He is a few months old and had open heart surgery today to repair his heart. 
The highlight of this week is having my friend come to stay for two nights.  She was my first neighbor in New Zealand and we've been friends for 15 years.  It's going to be so good to catch up :)

In our home school this week…
  • Paul finished reading The Twenty-One Balloons to Sir N.  I loved listening to the way he giggled in all the fun parts and I have enjoyed the imagination this book has sparked in my son.  They have now embarked on another Spindles journey and are reading the first book in the series: Spindles of the Dusty Range
  • We are really enjoying Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle although I was a little taken aback by the mention of witches in the first chapter there is clearly no witch craft in this book and it's just good fun helping children to take ownership of their own behavior and make right choices.
  • Sir N is enjoying The Usborne Time Traveler discovering the ways of Ancient Egypt.  So far I'm impressed with A Child's History of the World.
  • I've enjoyed listening to Sir N read I Can Read It! Book 2this week.  He has definitely turned a corner and it's becoming easier for him to read out loud.  He is even attempting to read signs and packages by himself with more confidence.  
  • As for math we have now reached double digit addition with carrying in Exploring Arithmetic 3.  It's been an interesting week but am really grateful for the manipulative resources I do have to help.
Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…
I am inspired by…
Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…
  • Term four has started and this week we were back at Tennis and Kelly Sports.  
  • Sir N's cousin came over for a play date on Friday
  • It was my friends birthday on Monday and we spent the afternoon with the home school support group exploring Point Cook Coastal Reserve.
My favourite thing this week was…
  • Counting down the days till my friend arrived from QLD for a visit :)
What’s working/not working for us…
  • Reading the Homeschool Mom's Bible If you are a homeschool Mom take some time to have a look at this devotional.
Things I’m working on…

In Bloggy world I’m reading…
I’m cooking…
  • What ever I can find in our freezer.  I'm trying to run the stock low so I can spring clean.
I’m grateful for…
A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

Blessings

Chareen


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