Learning/Teaching a Second Language

[NicaG]

My ds is in public kindergarten, but we'd like him to be learning a second language, specifically French.  I took French throughout high school and college, and I'm reasonably proficient, and my accent is good.  We signed ds up for a French class after school sponsored by the PTA, but he didn't find it interesting, and he didn't learn much.  Now dh would like me to teach the kids French, but I don't know how to put together a program.  We have the Little Pim video series, and we watch that once a week and practice repeating things in the video out loud.  We had Muzzy but put it away because it seemed outdated and not appropriate for a five-year-old. We have some flash cards, so I try to quiz ds in French.  But ds doesn't really like it, and I am feeling discouraged.  Dh tells me I'm not doing enough.  What else should I be doing?  Should we be working on this every day?  Maybe get some music to sing along with?  If anyone could share ideas for language learning with younger kids, I would appreciate it so much, thanks.

[mama_y_sol]

I'm interested in the responses you get.  My husband and I are bilingual in Spanish, but we are really struggling with getting our two kids to speak.  It's a lot harder than I though it would be.  

Edited by mama_y_sol - 5/25/11 at 4:09pm

[summermay]

Our dc loved:

Un, Deux, Trois: First French Rhymes (Book and CD) by Opal Dunn and Patrice Aggs

The narrator/singer has a beautiful voice and an excellent native French accent. It's a good start for developping French language skills.

http://www.poissonrouge.com     (The red fish, it's free and bilingual French English) for a starter.

[summermay]

http://boowakwala.uptoten.com/kids/boowakwala-home.html

Boowa et kwala is also a lovely bilingual French/English play and learn site. Has many sing-a-alongs and games

[kittywitty]

L'art de dire is great. The kids and I use it every day, even after 6 years. They have more advanced levels, too. The Skoldo book is ok, and the First Start French is for probably 4th+ grade. Otherwise, I would say Rosetta Stone if you can come up with the money.

[NicaG]

So, do you practice every day? Do you play games? How do you use the resources you suggested?

Also, I know a little about Rosetta Stone, but can anyone tell me an age range? Can six-year-olds use it? Can toddlers use it?

[kittywitty]

My 6 year old easily did the Rosetta Stone demo. You can request a demo disc from them online. My 3 yo kinda got it.

We do practice almost every day. I try to do it immersion style where I don't necessarily give them the translation after the first time I say it. L'Art de Dire has a lot of games and songs and such. We do circle time and incorporate it there. Why doesn't your dh help out more in teaching the french instead of complaining about you not doing enough?