I am wanting to start with a language in kindergarten so my kids can hopefully become fluent in a language. I am adding Latin in about 3rd or 4th grade. I will add another modern language later on if the kids are receptive to it. Here are my pros and cons: German I speak this language really well (conversationally) It is a less common language to learn so that would set my kids apart There is very little ability to use this language in the US (especially in my area) The phonics of this language is very different from English so I would definitely delay reading German until about 2nd grade There aren't really any great early elementary programs for this language that I can find so I would mostly design my own Spanish I speak this language at an advanced beginner level, but could definitely follow a purchased curricula I have found a few really nice looking curricula that I could just grab and go with so it would be less work I would learn along with my kids It is the most useful language to learn in the US There would be a lot of opportunity to use this language (not in my immediate area, but on vacations) I don't have a passion for this language The phonics of Spanish is easier that English and I could introduce reading earlier I appreciate you advice. I also speak a little Russian (I took some in college). I would love to do Russian later (maybe in middle school or high school). _____________
I would pick German based on your ability to speak it and your lack of passion for Spanish. But really, either one could work. It may end up that you do both. If so, it may do well to start with one that you are passionate about. I seem to do a better job teaching if I am passionate about a topic. Das ist gut, ya? FWIW, I would love to do German with my kids. I love the language and picked it up so much quicker than Spanish. But the usefulness won out. I still speak what I remember from my one semester German class in college with my kids so they know a few words.
we are starting a new language route in the next few weeks, and teaching our kids with another hs family, and teaching multiple languages so that you teach 1 word but in various languages, and continue like that. I hope this makes sense! So maybe you could teach both languages in one go? I have been worried about them getting confused but have been reassured that young childrens minds work well like this, and yesterday dd1 took herself off to the computer and started learning french numbers, and found it easy s she knows them in spanish and she knows the difference between them! hth
I'd start with my passion. (Oh, wait, thats right I did! lol!) Spanish is fairly common in my area, but I've got a great passion for the language. I've recently began having Spanish time with my 3rd grade student and we are aiming to spend 30 minutes deliberately studying Spanish (7days a week) and plan to go to a Spanish restaurant in a couple of months if we can get a firm grip on the language. We're doing lots of informal ASL right now, with Signing Time and such, but sometime towards the end of summer we're going to begin a conversational study of ASL. In the fall, we'll start in on Arabic and French probably in the winter. (My French accent is atrocious! I'm going to do French Phonology throughout the year to help myself. Once I get through the course, I think I'll be more confident and able to help learn French.)
Wich one? We couldn't decide so we're doing them all! lol We live so close to Europe learning French / Spanish was a given - I don't have the passion for German even though I studied at school. But I recently took up an Asian language and am enjoying the challenge. When I looked at the stats for the languages we opted for I think pretty much if they can master them, they will be able to speak with most of the world. Again , like learning their native language, we are talking first and using pictures, the writing and spellings will come later. Well that is the theory
