Teaching a child a language??

roguebrogue

Hello,

Just to say, have you looked at gumtree? There's usually a few language tutors there.

http://derby.gumtree.com/derby/Derby-skills-swap_3962_1.html

fawd1

Hi there OP,

Just so you know, I grew up being taught both Spanish and English and I absolutely agree that it's a lot easier to learn a language at a young age. If i were you, and it's what i plan to do with my children (or child, once it's born!), is to buy all of their favourite films, tv programmes etc in Spanish. You can also buy Spanish nursery rhyme cd's and books. The thing to remember when pronouncing Spanish is that it's almost entirely phonetic, so you should be able to just read it as you see it and not make too many mistakes! I would also suggest that you make you're children speak in Spanish maybe one hour a day, just asking for simple things, juice, milk etc in the language, you can always carry around a dictionary if things get tough to understand. Finally, don't forget that a load of places do those language cards, one word per card type thing that could come in very handy. You can learn them and then your children should say those words always in Spanish. Don't worry about their English, they'll learn that regardless, I promise!

neverdespairgirl

A child needs frequent exposure to a language to pick much of it up.

Our son (just 3) is bi-lingual. I always talk to him in English, and OH always speaks in Hebrew. We have Hebrew song CDs, and Hebrew DVDs and books as well.

If you live somewhere there are foreign students, perhaps you could combine DVDs and CDs with someone coming to the house a couple of hours a week to play and chat in the language? You would also be in the house, so no need to worry about safety.

mrcow

Rachelkiss08 wrote: »

Actually, parents are the best teacher of the kids. So being a good mom/dad is very important to your kids. As this field, I think you should ask some suggestion from the single parents on the dating club www.singleparentloving.com

Or you could spend your time more constructively by not spamming these boards?

beer_tins

mrcow wrote: »

Or you could spend your time more constructively by not spamming these boards?

Quite. Spam reported.

RoxieW

Thanks for those supportive replies - I was surprised to see this thread resurrected as sadly I felt it easier to let it die a death then continue having to justify myself.

I bought french and spanish dvd's from the ELC but tbh they're not that great. I think some kind of 'programme' such as muzzy is the way forward but I've heard mixed reviews. Will contact the library to see if it's available elsewehre.

We're off to Spain on Weds so that will give us a chance to practice the little we've picked up anyhow!

Happy summer holidays all!

neverdespairgirl

RoxieW wrote: »

Thanks for those supportive replies - I was surprised to see this thread resurrected as sadly I felt it easier to let it die a death then continue having to justify myself.

Sorry, it was me who brought the thread back from the dead - wanted to add something helpful instead of all the random abuse!

RoxieW

No don't apologise - its very much appreciated!

neverdespairgirl

At 3 years old, we find that DS mostly knows who speaks Hebrew - his Abba (Dad) and uncle, and people we visit in Israel. If people speak to him in Hebrew, he speaks back in the same language, and similarly with English.

There are some words he only seems to use in English or Hebrew. He almost always says, "Yes" in English, and "toe-da" (thank you) in Hebrew. But generally, he knows which is which now.

pavlovs_dog

do you find you've picked up much hebrew through his interactions with his dad neverdespairgirl?