Languages???

[GinainMD]

Hello to all! Just wondering what HOD's, or any of you homeschool Mama's, take is on foreign language instruction. I've always thought that younger is better when teaching a child a second language so should I be adding this in or?

[MamaPajama]

As far as I know Heart of Dakota does not promote any foreign language or have it in their guides. However, I can give you my personal stance. When my DS starts writing proficiently, I plan to begin Prima Latina with him (hopefully around 2nd grade). Once we complete that and Latina Christiana, I want him to learn a common language. Most likely we'll do Spanish since it's becoming more prominent in our country. We'll likely use Rosetta Stone. Hope that helps.

[mamanlait]

We use the BBC website and Rosetta Stone right now to help teach language in our home. I'd *love* to have a little check mark box for "Languages" on our HOD guide just to remind me

Yes, I believe the younger the better UNLESS you feel totally overwhelmed all ready. We really mix our language learning up based on whether I need it to be more relaxed or can stand a bit more rigor that particular month or year. We've done private tutoring, classes, and sometimes nothing at all or a few books or DVDs in our language a month. My dd9 can do RS on her own now so that really helps! The studies I've read show that as long as you get started with a language before the age of 11.5, the child can pick up on the accent. So, I think you can use that as a guide to when you must start. Of course with Latin accents don't matter, so there's always an exception to that rule!

Hope that helps.

Amy

[south5]

We do French and Latin. Charlotte Mason said in the early elementary ages they should only hear and speak it, preferably from a native. We have a friend of the family who is French Canadian and speaks it fluently, so that is why we chose French. My children do know general Spanish as well, I have taught them common phrases, counting, colors, body parts and food items. I am doing the Latin Primer with my 5th grade son, this is our first year doing Latin. I wanted to incorporate it because I think it really helps with grammar and vocabulary. I did find a bargain on Song School Latin (doing half speed with 6yo) and I must say I am loving it! The songs are so great. We just started Monday. We are doing Latin MWF and French on T/Th.