Ok, I am trying to think this through. My son doesn't want to learn Spanish. I think it is because he doesn't want to do what everyone else does (or at least a lot of people). I try to point out the positives: it is an easier language than some, you can practice with a LOT of people right here, and I know quite a bit and can help. We were talking the other day and I was teasing that I would let him do something if he would learn a language-just as a joke. He said he would like to learn Russian. In one way, I think that is a REALLY good idea. I have wanted to try to learn another language and one of the ones I had thought of was Russian. So that means even if he doesn't go through with it, I could pursue it and maybe go further in the future with it. In one way, I think it is a bad idea. It is a harder language to learn, from what I have researched and I don't know how committed he will be. Anyway, what do you all think?
I think it's a great idea! I took German in high school, for the same reason your son is wanting something different -- I just didn't want to do what everyone else did! I had a lot of fun, I still remember bits and pieces. I haven't used it (except when I started thinking in German while I was in Spain, lol), but to be honest -- I really haven't had a specific need for Spanish, either. True, I was in Spain for a week, but I was able to read the signs well enough and figure things out well enough (even with zero Spanish training) that if I tried just a little to pronounce/speak, most locals would switch to English for me and were very gracious. I'm sort of rambling, but I guess my point is, if there isn't a super specific reason that he should do Spanish, I think it's a perfectly fine idea to let him choose something a little less mainstream. My homeschooler has chosen German, as well.
I don't see any reason to study the traditional Spanish or French either, but I know that it could be a passing phase. I have some time to think about it. I want to learn a third language, but I don't want to spend a lot of money on me right now. OK, I really do want to spend that much money, but I shouldn't. I wish he had my passion for languages, but he didn't inherit that. I can't manufacture that, and that is fine. Since he doesn't have a passion for it, I don't know if it will go very far.
Well, I bought Rosetta Stone today. I am excited and nervous. I would have liked to do another language, like Italian or German or even Swedish. He had to go and pick a difficult (but interesting) language.
My best friend in high school studied Russian. He took the bus to Ohio State University to do so. He loved it! (BTW, my "little" brother's first wife was German. We went to Germany for the wedding. My 4+ years of French came in very handy as we traveled around. I was at a camp that summer with lots of internationals. I asked the German guy to teach me to say something very nice to welcome Suzanne into the family. So he wrote it out, and taught me to recite it, even though I had no knowledge of what I was saying exactly. He kept telling me how well I was doing, though I never was sure I believed him, because the guy from Luxembourg kept snickering at me, lol! And, at the wedding, my English-only mom was trying to communicate with a German-only woman. This lady would tell her dh in German, who would tell me in French, who would tell Mom in English. And then we'd reverse the process for the reply!)
My friend Hector learned the Russian language and enjoyed it. He also enjoyed reading Russian Literature. Here's hoping that your son enjoys learning a new language.
Oh, thank you. We don't have the program yet, probably next Monday or Tuesday. I will let you know. How hard is English for you?
Well we got it Monday and so far it is very interesting and challenging, but I like challenging (in languages). To me it is like a puzzle.
