Trip to China

Well, it was not a real trip to China. We stepped into the Chinese culture on the weekend by going down the street. We live in the Greater Toronto area which is very diverse in cultures. All of us went to a local Chinese grocery store. We stepped into the store and were welcomed with the smell of Chinese food cooking at a cafe area. The grocery store was the size of other large grocery stores except the produce area was twice as big and filled with produce unique to the Chinese culture. We ventured into the produce area with my baby in an Ergo baby carrier and holding on to a hand of one son. My husband had the cart and another son. Just making a way down the aisles was an adventure. It was nearly wall to wall people with people bumping each other and moving carts out of the way. There were no "excuse-mes" or "sorry" for bumps - it was something that was normal. My husband described it as chaotic much like some places he has visited in Asia.

My boys were able to walk through the store and see many different kinds of food that they had never seen before. They were able to hear people speaking Chinese around them and see Chinese characters everywhere. They ventured into the meat section of the store where they could see a roasted pig's head, cow's feet, and raw fish sitting out in the open. The smell of the fish market section of the store made one aware that they were not in a western grocery store.

I'm thankful that we live in an area where the boys can be exposed to the Chinese culture. Toronto also has a China town which we do plan on visiting in the future. I had thought we were visiting a small grocery store, but didn't realize the treasure we would find. I'll go back again. While we weren't "brave" enough to buy the meat, the produce variety is worth the trip.

Alif Bah Taa Thaa Jeem Haa Khaa

The Arabic alphabet is becoming well-known in our household. My boys have really enjoyed the alphabet song. You can hear it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gI3oBB_n1AU The boys are learning the alphabet for French, Spanish and Greek as well but Arabic has caught on much more. I caught my 5 year old singing it yesterday and he was so proud of himself. I've caught everyone in our household singing it, well everyone that is except the baby. My 7 year old will make sure he gets the glottal kh sound in khaa correctly. The boys look forward to Arabic and want to learn more. It seems as though French and Spanish are somewhat "boring" when compared to Arabic and Mandarin.

We are starting to learn Arabic script as well. I always wondered how anyone could make sense of it, but not anymore. At the beginning of the year I purchased some magnetic Arabic letters that attach together. Learning the alphabet has helped us start to understand script. Tuesday is the next day we do Arabic and I know we are all looking forward to learning more of the Arabic alphabet.

Right now I am in search of a good Arabic comprehensive program. Rossetta Stone is at the top of our list, but I am looking for what else is out there.

Too much?

What do my kids think of this?

My 7 year old does Rossetta Stone easily. My 5 year old will sometimes do Rossetta Stone easily. So far my 7 year old is learning the languages a little quicker than my 5 year old. I have been surprised at how much my 5 year old remembers. They both earn video game time with each increase in skills so that may have something to do with it.

If Rossetta Stone was the only language instruction my boys would probably be bored with it. We use coloring, songs, games, online activities, videos, writing, and sticker books to help make things more interesting.

So far there does not seem to be overload. They do seem to be enjoying themselves especially with learning Arabic.

Where we are now

Mandarin Chinese - Currently we are working with Rossetta Stone version 2 level 1 Mandarin Chinese. Both boys are on lesson 1. Both boys practice writing Chinese characters in a dry-erase marker book.

Arabic - We are currently learning the alphabet and getting familiar with Arabic script. We are practicing on Rossetta Stone's Arabic demo. Both boys are on lesson 1. I am planning on buying Rossetta Stone's Arabic soon. We watch YouTube for kid's Arabic language learning videos.

French - We recently moved to Canada and my boys are getting exposure to the rhythm and sound of French through kid's tv shows. We are practicing Rossetta Stone's French demo and both boys are on lesson 1. I am currently looking for a French program that is fun for young children.

Spanish - Living in the US my kids have been exposed to Spanish for several years and are familiar with several Spanish words already. We have a Spanish Bingo game and they are doing Rossetta Stone's demo. Both boys are on lesson 1. I'll be looking for a Spanish program when we are finished with the Rossetta Stone's demo.

Koine Greek - We are using Hey Andrew Teach Me Some Greek. I am pleased with this program. Right now both boys are learning Greek letters and the alphabet song.

Our Language Journey

We have begun the task of learning 5 different languages simultaneously. We are studying Mandarin, Arabic, French, Spanish, and Koine Greek. Mandarin exposure began when my children were 2-3 years old. They were exposed to the language and picked up a couple vocabulary words. My children are currently 5 and 7 years old. My oldest son began with Rosetta Stone Mandarin when he was 5 years old. This school year we added Arabic, French, Spanish, and Koine Greek.

Five languages does seem like quite the feat to accomplish. We are starting while my kids are young so I do believe it is possible. Right now we are doing one language per day in each school week. Prior to 2009 our language study was inconsistent.

This blog is an attempt to relate our journey. In a way this is a case study. Is it possible for children to learn 4+ languages? Will we give up due to confusion? We will stick with the journey? I am choosing the curriculum and teaching my children these languages. My only history with the languages is a foggy 2 years of high school Spanish so I am learning along with them.