Good foreign language curriculum?

[LaurieG]

Maybe this would be better placed in the homeschooling forum but I thought I'd try here first since I'm really not a homeschooler...

DS is now entering 3rd grade and basically is not getting any support for gifted ed.  So I had the thought that he might like to learn another language as a kind of self study activity and he likes the idea.  He is thinking Japanese or Spanish.  Any thoughts on good curriculum for this age?

[whatsnextmom]

My kids learn through shool but we know several who have really liked Muzzy and Rosetta Stone. I think rosetta has a trial disk for free to try. Muzzy is probably more kid friendly.

[moominmamma]

We haven't used Muzzy but my impression was that it was more suitable for pre-schoolers through maybe 2nd grade. My kids have used Rosetta Stone from age 4 or 5 on up and we really like it. It is challenging for adults too. Dd12 is doing French and dd8 is doing Japanese, thinking of adding or switching to French. I think that, combined eventually with some other resources (language-learning podcasts, familiar movies dubbed in the new language, occasional contact with a real live native speaker, for example) Rosetta Stone is a pretty robust second language program that can carry one fairly far towards conversational skills.

Miranda

[Linda on the move]

My kids had a blast with https://funclase.com/welcome.html when they were about that age.

This is a DVD based program designed to by used by parents who don't know ANY of the language. It includes cooking, art, and culture to go along with the language. It's basic stuff and is not going to get a kid fluent, but it's a wonderful start.

[MomofSev]

We use Rosetta Stone for Spanish, Japanese and French currently. I use it for myself and help reinforce when my son practices it, too.

[Geofizz]

Our library has a Mango subscription that we can log into for free with the card number.

DD start lesson in ASL tomorrow. She dislikes learning by DVD and online, and she much prefers a group for conversation. She just finished a three week class and learned a ton that way. Especially if no one in the family speaks the language, a real class with a real teacher is valuable.

[LaurieG]

Thanks for the tips everyone.  I stopped by Borders going out of business sale to look at Rosetta Stone - the only option they had was Lessons 1, 2, and 3 for $500+.  We're not quite that committed at this point.  Will have to check out the other options and / or see about just lesson 1.

[whatsnextmom]

Originally Posted by LaurieG 

Thanks for the tips everyone.  I stopped by Borders going out of business sale to look at Rosetta Stone - the only option they had was Lessons 1, 2, and 3 for $500+.  We're not quite that committed at this point.  Will have to check out the other options and / or see about just lesson 1.

I've never seen it cheap but you can get deals at Costco or on ebay. I've seen it as low as 300. Too rich for our blood but cheaper.

[FarmerBeth]

Can you get Rosetta Stone on line from the company.  DH used it for himself, but it turned out he used Pirate Bay, so he wasn't of much help for explaining how to get it legitimately. Still, you'd think it might be cheaper to get online, somewhere.

[MomofSev]

I found this from GiftedHomeschoolersForum:

http://www.bachelorofarts.com/40-exceptional-web-apps-for-foreign-language-students

[meemee]

how comitted is he to learning the language?

watching anime and reading manga online inspired dd to learn japanese. she is learning the hiranga style and following this website http://www.freejapaneselessons.com/lesson01.cfm

but really she is picking up much more thru the translations from the anime even if its not too good. she is just picking up vocabulary.

she plans to go to the community college to take the japanese class later (she has too much on her plate so i wont let her do it now). 

[FarmerBeth]

Cool link, meemee.  We have a lot of manga readers and anime watchers in the house, so I think this would go over well!