Well, we've begun a new semester with over 60 students in five classes, plus some tutoring students. It's been a wonderful two weeks already!
With four children of our own (the newest is only two months old!) I wonder how the Lord orchestrates everything to get it done on time, and well!
To answer a few of the most recent questions - I'll give a quick opinion on teaching Spanish as a second language:
The earlier you start the better. - If you simply talk as you do things, and the say the words of items in both languages - (a red cup - do you want the red cup, or the green? taza roja or verde?) as you set the table for snacks - or clean the room, or anything, your child will begin picking up some words, whether he speaks them or not, he's hearing them. At the same time, he's simply realizing that English is not the only language, which is a concept that is hard to get later.
You can follow up with flashcards - (there are some good ones on the www.flipflopspanish.com website) and just do three or five a week (not a day, a WEEK) and look at the games on the website too - just adjus tthem to your child's interest.
Finally, I don't believe that total immersion is the best way for all learners. Many of the students I've been teaching have shown that they need a solid foundation before being immersed - otherwise they become increasingly frustrated, and simply turn off their brains rather than picking up more phrases. So.... When you introduce a new DVD, a movie, a CD, anything - go over the vocabulary your child will hear in it first. Get out your dictionary and find five words or so. Then the student has a chance to hear something familiar!
I do this with Disney DVD's in my classroom - the students use their critical listening skills in class, and are then able to do so in real life with a bit more confidence.
Buena suerte! I look forward to blogging every other week this year - sorry I was away for so long!
Sra. Gose
From Sra. Gose, a weekly private lesson Spanish teacher, and author of Flip Flop Spanish Workbook you can go along for the ride as I post my class journals - what happens in classes, Spanish teaching tips, and just fun anecdotes about homeschooling and teaching Spanish to children. My classes don't have restrictive state guidelines, so the children simply get to learn what they need to know to communicate!
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