Are there any foreign language teachers experiencing success with their alternative foreign language programs for students with learning disabilities?
My high school students and I are enjoying learning together as we create this new beginning level Spanish class. We are listening, speaking, and experimenting with reading and writing as part of this two year course that will give the students a broad view of the language and culture(s) of the Spanish-speaking world. Please e-mail me your successes as well as your “crash and burn”experiences so that we can share— and improve every child’s educational experience.
Re: an alternative high school Spanish program for students
Marion,
In my class I use many different videotapes, but my favorite is the Muzzy BBC language learning program from ADVANTAGE. It is available at most public libraries (my version comes with a Spanish and English set of videos from our library). The set I own at school is just the “classroom” Spanish addition. It also comes in French and other languages. My high school kids almost have the first 45 minutes memorized. And they know what they are saying. Your nine yr. old will love it. My 2 1/2 and 6 1/2 year olds both enjoy it when I bring it home. The story is cute and the tunes are catchy! Let me know what you think!
Heidi
Programs other than Muzzy......
Muzzy has gotten a lot of critical reviews from homeschooling parents. It is expensive compared to some programs and the cartoon characters are not well liked, particularly because of violence and poor language. I have not seen it personally, so am just passing on information I have seen in other posts.
I just purchased La Clase Divertida, which is supposed to be for K-6th graders. It has 8 hours of videotape, an audio tape, a teacher’s guide that includes craft and cooking activities, workbooks for two students, and craft materials for two students. One of the activities is making a pinata. This kit has gotten good reviews from homeschoolers, who say it is a genuinely fun approach to Spanish. This might be a good option for marion. Website for this is http://www.funclase.com
We also have Rosetta Stone, which is an *excellent* computerized approach to learning Spanish — used by the Peace Corps. I have actually used this, and it would be terrific for high school students (and can be used by children as young as 5 or so). It comes in a classroom version, so a teacher can supervise a number of students simultaneously, as well as in the home version we have (which, however, still keeps track of multiple learners). The classroom version can be purchased for the price of the home version if you buy from one of the dealers on the homeschooling boards at http://www.vegsource.com. Website for Rosetta Stone is http://www.rosettastone.com. The website has an online demo you can try out. The one problem I ran into with this program is that my 11yo started finding it to be too much “work” once she got past the easy beginning lessons.
Yet another option is “Destinos”, a Spanish soap opera produced by PBS. You can purchase study guides for it also. The homeschooling posts I have read said that it is challenging, but fun, and entire families get into it. The only website I have for this is http://www.languagequest.com/vproducts/v_spanish/destinos.htm?source=overture
Many other products for Spanish can be found at http://www.languagequest.com — not all of which are necessary good, though.
Mary
Aside from the programs I listed in my post to Heidi,
another one you might be interested in is Hola Amigos! This is a set of video tapes appropriate for up to about age 10. Amazon sells them — individually, and in a boxed set of all 3 volumes — as does Barnes & Noble, etc. However, many libraries also have them. You may be able to check them out from your local library. I haven’t seen these, but they have gotten good reviews from homeschoolers for younger children, and might be a very good choice for your 9yo.
Mary
That is so great you are doing that and giving the kids a valuable opportunity that most ld kids don’t get.
My 9 yr. old ld son is dying to learn Spanish I have taught him the limited vocabulary I remember. If you know any easy basic tapes I would like to know what they are.
Actually, the younger the better for learning another language.
Your kids are lucky to have you.