OT-Carrie: Greek? . . .Spanish? . . . .Both?

[momtofive]

Carrie,

In a recent reply you posted about a high school credit related question, you mentioned that you are teaching your children spanish and greek. You also mentioned that you are learning as well. . . . . .which is really wonderful! You recommended the Getting Started with Spanish program. Is that what you are using for your sons? If so, how do you like it? I am also wondering what you use for teaching Greek? And, do you use different resources for different ages?

Sorry for so many questions all at once. I've wanted to do a little more research into this topic for a while now. It seems that so many missionaries that we know are having to learn spanish before they can really get started in the countries that God has called them to. How wonderful for children and families to already know a language like that. Maybe that's something that God could use someday? I also see so much benefit to learning greek. I don't know if this is too much, or if one could manage it over time. Our children are still young. Our oldest is in fifth grade, but we'd like to see if we can start incorporating some of this now, little at a time. Anyway, I was hoping, if you get a chance, you could let me know your thoughts on this.

Thank you so much!

In Christ,

Lisa

[Carrie]

I'm so sorry if I gave the impression that I am learning Greek and Spanish... while I definitely should, I must confess I am not. My hubby is learning Greek and Hebrew and my older two boys have been learning Greek very slowly over the last 3-4 years through Hey Andrew Teach Me Some Greek (which we like very much). It is very easy for the kiddos to do on their own, very incremental, and has a great answer key. It can be used even with smaller children. My hubby is taking a college level Greek and Hebrew class at church right now and said his foundation in Hey Andrew (which is all he'd used too) was very good.

We do like the Spanish program I mentioned very much too. It is similar in approach to the Greek program, even though it was written by a different author and by a different company. It is very incremental, easy for my son to do on his own, and has a great key. The pronunciations for all of the words are also online for free on the author's website. It gets kiddos identifying Spanish words and speaking a little Spanish pretty quickly.

Hope that helps!

Blessings,
Carrie

[momtofive]

Thanks so much for the clarification on that, and the recommendation of the Greek program. We're just thinking right now on what sort of path to take with foreign language, and thought I'd ask you first since it was recently mentioned.

It's good to know that those programs are working well for your family! My children are leaning more toward an interest in Spanish. We have relatives that are missionaries in Mexico, and know several other families that are missionaries in spanish-speaking countries. That may be sparking an interest in them!

Thanks so much!

~Lisa