I have heard from several educators who work with LD students that Latin is often a better choice for HS students with language processing issues than Spanish (which my 8th grader is now taking but struggling with). Does any one have any experience with Latin and LD students?
Also, we have been getting somewhat mixed signals about foreign language and college requirements. Some teachers have said that if you want to send your child to a competitive college, they must take either 3 yrs of one foreign language or 2yrs of one foreign language and 2yrs of another. Others have said that if your child has documented language processing isues, they can get a waiver in HS for foreign langugage and still be in the running for competitive colleges. Does anyone have experience with how foreign language waivers affect college admissions?
Re: Foreign Language- Latin?
Latin is most often taught from a traditional standpoint, with grammar rules and lsits of vocabulary. For a student who is willing to work, the work required is generally comprehensible.
The style of teaching Spanish and other modern languages is to try to use a “natural” approach (as if anything in a classroom is “natural”) and so there is a lot of presentation of vocabulary that is not explained, grammar that is supposed to be picked up just by hearing, etc.
For a person who does not pick things up just by hearing and imitation, Latin may be a better choice.
Re: Foreign Language- Latin?
It is, however, worth at least checking - a few teachers actually use multisensory methods to teach foreign languages. It may also be worth finding a way to “audit” it or work on it before enrolling in the class so as to get a jump on it since often with more time, learning the stuff is possible.
The whole waiver thing depends entirely on the college; there are also many colleges (I’m not sure how competitive) who will accept American Sign Language as a foreign language (and a few who accept computer langauges).
It’s worth considering how much his LD will affect his learning at the postsecondary level and whether or not a truly “competitive” college is the right placement. I deal with students suffering from major culture shock just realizing that in the college setting it is the student’s responsibility to request and arrange accommodations — and if a teacher’s teaching style doesn’t suit you, it’s up to you to figure out ways to deal with it. This is at a highly student-centered community college (which, of course, is partly why students are surprised that they’re not *really* the center of the entire universe :-))
Latin
Latin is one hellishly tough subject. (Stupid Romans don’t even have a simple way in which to say yes or no.) My eldest took it this year (seventh grade), and while I thought it really improved her english grammar, it is NOT an easy language, and I agreed to not make her do it in eighth grade. I’d go with sign language (which mine uses as a convenient way of talking behind the teacher’s back with her little peers), or Spanish, which is an easy, pleasant language if you can hear well.
Re: Foreign Language- Latin?
It depends who’s teaching the class. A good Latin class can be fun — there was a waiting list for Latin in my daughter’s school, even though the teacher took classes of 45 kids in the auditorium. A bad class can be hellish. And the same for Spanish.
Re: Foreign Language- Latin?
Sue makes a great point!
I know we want the best for our kids and have this tremendous fear of them being denied some opportunity because of their LDs but, realistically, many neurotypical students are not attending competitive schools or are failing in them
My eldest has no LDs and was in gifted programming. He was accepted into one of the top five engineering programs in the nation(yes, Sue, THAT one)
We were pleased as punch until midterms came home. Suffice it to say he dropped out before he flunked out
DS1 worked at a factory until this week when he began class at the local community college. So far, so good!
When his two years are up, he can transfer to just about any 4 year he wants. Frankly, its easier to get into competitive colleges with 2yrs of community college AND good grades under your belt than it is straight out of high school.
Your diploma still reads “University of……” and no employer will know the difference. And with the money you have saved, you can set your kid up in an apartment AND buy him a car.
We will definitely go this route with the 16 yr old when his time comes(also a kid for whom school is a breeze).
And the LD 12 year old? Time will tell. I’m keeping my options open but the local community college is looking even better as I’ve just made the connection that Sue works there!!!! :D
BTW, DS1 was accepted into the engineering program with only 2 years of Spanish. They require more but it didnt effect his acceptance. He would have had to take it at the college level to graduate
I took Spanish at the local cc this spring for personal growth and my class was filled with University students taking their language requirement at the cc so they could graduate. But, obviously, they were accepted into the University without it!
And I have NEVER heard that switching languages is an advantage for college acceptance. My 16 yr old has a love/hate relationship with his German teacher and we have been told that switching to another language for his junior year is pointless as hes going to be seen as ‘2 yrs of language” no matter what.
And, a final funny….
When I told my LD son he would be expected to learn a foreign language in junior high …..
“No way, Mom! How can I learn another lanaguage? I have enough trouble with this one.”
http://www.ldonline.org/cgi-bin/htsearch
http://ericec.org/faq/ld-forla.html