End of the school year

We have come to the end of our school year. What has worked and what has not? My oldest son is on the second year using Rosetta Stone Mandarin verson 2. While it is a wonderful program, it has not been working well for him. We never seem to get very far with the program. Maybe it will be a better fit when he is older. My boys have learned more through Youtube videos while they ate their lunch. Next year I am going a different route. I will still have Rosetta Stone, but I plan to use the Chinese Made Easy for Kids curriculum for my boys next year. It comes with a text book and a workbook.

They both enjoyed their Greek workbook this year. They are about 2/3 of the way through book one of Hey, Andrew! Teach Me Some Greek! They are learning the Greek alphabet and doing quite well with it.

This was our first year learning Arabic. Basically, my kids learned the alphabet and about 30 different words in Arabic. It is probably their favorite language to learn. Youtube videos have been helpful for them. Next year they will be using Arabic for English Speakers Junior computer game and the Arabic for Beginners textbook.

The other language we are undertaking is French. This year I have focused on my kids getting exposure to the language. We moved to Canada so that helped! There are French TV programs for kids here and French writing on all labels so it isn't too hard to get exposure. I do need to learn pronunciation so I can read it. Next year I plan to use Ecoutez! Parlez! Learning French for Kids level 1.

We look forward to starting these programs in August. Spanish was a good choice to discontinue. In the USA we heard Spanish quite often. Since moving to Canada exposure to Spanish has become more and more infrequent. On the other hand, we have had increased exposure to French, Mandarin, and Arabic. Just last week we went to a part of town where stores had Arabic writing on their store signs. By middle school I hope to place my kids in a class where they can be taught by a native speaker for French, Mandarin, and Arabic. And I think we live in a great place to do that!

Learning Arabic

So I discovered my little girl trying to say the Arabic alphabet the other day.  She hasn't tried the English one yet.  I guess she has picked up on my boys enthusiam in singing the Arabic alphabet.  Granted her "singing" doesn't sound like the Arabic letters, but she is attempting to sing it.  

We are plugging ahead with Arabic and Mandarin.  French is pretty much only on a exposure basis right now and we are doing more with Koine Greek.  The Greek is slow right now.  My boys are learning the alphabet and the sounds the letters make.  

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.