Little Bears Family Homeschool Study Notes

Foreign Languages

Introduction

The study of "modern foreign languages" does not appear on the National Curriculum until Key Stage 3 when, if it's not already too late, many years of opportunity will have been missed (I'm told the best age to introduce a foreign language is under 3!), and it is likely that the child will never become truly fluent in the language, although if you're already in that situation, don't despair - I'd be the first to say "it's never too late":- I didn't start learning Swedish until I was 18 and I am nevertheless very fluent, although I say so myself! (The trick is incentive!)

Which Languages?

The most obvious starting-point would be to teach a language which you as a parent are fluent in. Failing that, you might like to think of the reason for wanting to learn a language; for example, if you think it might be a business advantage for your child to have a second language, you might like to try your hand at learning Japanese, another European or an Eastern European language. (Useful "world" languages other than English include Chinese, French and Spanish).

UK secondary schools tended in the past to offer French and German, and sometimes Spanish. However, I am aware that Urdu and Gujerati are now available in some inner city schools. It seems to me that to study these languages affords an excellent opportunity to gain a better understanding of another culture.

You may feel, as we do, that all of these reasons are worthy. We are aiming, therefore, to introduce a range of languages. We don't expect to study all of them, but rather introduce them to a degree sufficient for the child to decide for him/herself whether or not to pursue them; a "taster", if you like (which in fact is really no more or less than schools achieve in most cases).

MODERN LANGUAGES

We will be aiming to introduce the study of the following modern foreign languages from an early age in varying degrees :-

Swedish, French, German, Spanish, Italian

Swedish

In the case of Swedish, we have spent a year in Sweden and since I speak the language fluently this is a great help, and we have been able to amass a collection of books, videos and music tapes. Obviously, immersing a child fully in a language is usually the best way of teaching it. However, since Mark doesn't really speak Swedish fluently, we aren't really able to converse, and Tommy has more or less rejected the language (although sometimes I catch him unconsciously responding to things I say in Swedish, so it's still in there!).

Recommendations for Textbooks and dictionaries

(This really ought to be a longer list... I'll be looking out for more and letting you know!

Recommendations for Literature

French

We felt that it might be useful to learn a new language, for example French, as a family where we would be more or less on the same level and, if Mummy and Daddy speak to each other in French, Tommy might be more likely to be interested.

Recommendations for Textbooks and dictionaries

Games

Recommendations for Literature

Suggestions would be welcome

German, Spanish, Italian, etc.

Recommendations for Literature

Suggestions would be welcome

CLASSICAL LANGUAGES

We will also be aiming to look at the following classical languages at a later stage:-

Latin, Greek, Hebrew and Old Norse (see below)

Latin

Latin is the classical language of the Roman Empire and, as such, represents part of our linguistic and cultural heritage, so we will be aiming to look at the language at least at a basic level, perhaps when we look at the Roman Empire in depth in our study of History.

Recommendations for Textbooks and dictionaries and Literature

Suggestions would be welcome

Greek

Greek was the classical language of learning in the ancient world, and since it is the language in which the New Testament was written, I would hope to at least take a look at the language at a basic level.

The only resource I have found so far is a "Teach Yourself New Testament Greek". I do really like the "Teach Yourself" series as well as "Hugo's [language] in three months" series, but these might not be the best thing for teaching children. But of course it all depends upon the age of the child. An older child who wants to learn a language may be able to take a book like this away and really teach himself!

Recommendations for Textbooks and dictionaries and Literature

Suggestions would be welcome

Hebrew

Hebrew is of course the sacred language of Israel, a language which has been miraculously preserved down through the ages, despite numerous exiles, scatterings and returns of the Jewish people. it is also the language in which the Old Testament was (mainly) written, and since it is such a very rich language full of pictures and metaphor, much of the original meaning inherent in the Bible texts are lost in translation. So there are many reasons to study the language, at least at a basic level.

Recommendations for Textbooks and dictionaries

Recommendations for Literature

Suggestions would be welcome

Old Norse

Old Norse may not truly qualify as a "Classical" language, but since I have some knowledge of it, it might be interesting to look at it later on, for example, when we study the Vikings in depth! Unfortunately, of course, there is very little material available for Old Norse, but I am looking and will report back!

Recommendations for Textbooks and dictionaries and Literature

Suggestions would be welcome

Internet Resources

Home

Site Index

This page is under construction
Please be patient - I am working on it! Links to follow!
Comments & Suggestions Welcome

© Sharon Mortemore
08 August, 1999