Homeschool, Language Requirements and Curriculum
Is your child in middle or high school and ready to tackle her or his language credits? As a Spanish certified teacher and homeschool mother I will say the following: The earlier a student starts learning the language the easier will be to acquire the language skills he/she needs to learn it.
I love this video because explains in 2 minutes why students should considering learning a language.
Where to start?
First, understand your state requirements for high school graduation. For example, Virginia states require 3 credits of one foreign language or two years of two languages. Now, it is important to clarify these are requirements for the advance studies diploma. For a standard diploma these requirements do not apply. I will say most parents and students choose to go for the advanced diploma for many different reasons, specially the academic ones.
Virginia residents, you can find more information when you go to this link http://www.doe.virginia.gov/instruction/graduation/advanced_studies.shtml#note4
Second, choose the appropriate language. Sometimes as parents we already have a desire or a reason why our child should study a specific language. However, we need to help our child discover which one is the appropriate one for him or her. A good exercise is to start with the WHY? I must say the earlier students make the choice the better! If they start exploring the language earlier they will be able to decide and move forward to the advanced language level
Third, choose the right curriculum. As a home school parent and as an educator having the right tools to teach and learn are an essential decision. There are many wonderful foreign programs out there that are worth our investment. If your child is between the 7th-12th grade range I strongly recommend a curriculum that has:
- Strong vocabulary and grammar structure
- A whole language approach gear to communication not just grammar approach.
I have discovered through the years that there is not a curriculum is perfect. But asking the following question will help you make a better choice:
- What is the curriculum teaching and learning style?
- Is the curriculum missing an essential component to learn the language effectively?
- Is the language curriculum too much or too advanced for me to teach?
- Do I need to supplement the curriculum?
- If I do not speak the language and my child needs help… what are my options? Have a plan ready. If you plan ahead you will be able to move forward and encourage your child to not give up!
Shule ya nyumbani, mahitaji ya lugha na mtaala Je, mtoto wako yuko katika shule ya kati au ya sekondari na yuko tayari kushughulikia mikopo yake ya lugha? Kama mwalimu wa lugha ya Kihispania na mama wa shule ya nyumbani, nitawaambia hivi: Kadiri mwanafunzi anavyotumia muda mfupi kujifunza lugha, ndivyo itakavyokuwa rahisi kwake kupata ujuzi wa lugha anahitaji kujifunza. Video hii inaelezea kwa dakika mbili kwa nini wanafunzi wanapaswa kuzingatia kujifunza lugha. Ninapaswa kuanza wapi? Kwanza, fahamu mahitaji ya jimbo lako kwa ajili ya kuhitimu shule ya sekondari. Kwa mfano, Virginia inahitaji mikopo mitatu ya lugha moja ya kigeni au miaka miwili ya lugha mbili. Sasa, ni muhimu kufafanua hizi ni mahitaji kwa ajili ya diploma ya masomo ya mapema. Kwa diploma ya kawaida mahitaji haya si kutumika. Kwa sababu hii, wazazi wengi huamua kwenda kwa diploma ya juu kwa sababu nyingi, hasa za kitaaluma. Kwa wale ambao wanaishi Virginia, unaweza kupata habari zaidi kwa kwenda kwenye kiungo hiki http: www.doe.virginia.gov.au: mafunzo au kuhitimu au masomo ya juu.shtml: #note4 Pili, chagua lugha inayofaa. Wakati mwingine kama wazazi tayari tuna tamaa au sababu kwa nini mtoto wetu anapaswa kujifunza lugha fulani. Hata hivyo, tunahitaji kumsaidia mtoto wetu kujua ni ipi inayofaa kwake. Zoezi zuri ni kuanza na kwa nini? Lazima niseme kwamba wanafunzi wa mapema hufanya uchaguzi bora zaidi! Ikiwa utaanza kujifunza lugha mapema, utaweza kuamua na kuendelea hadi kiwango cha juu cha lugha. Kama mzazi wa shule ya nyumbani na kama mwalimu kuwa na zana sahihi za kufundisha na kujifunza ni uamuzi muhimu. Kuna programu nyingi za kigeni nzuri huko nje ambazo zinafaa uwekezaji wetu. Ikiwa mtoto wako yuko kati ya darasa la 7-12 napendekeza sana mtaala ambao una: - Usemi wenye nguvu na muundo wa sarufi - Njia nzima ya lugha ya mawasiliano sio mbinu ya sarufi tu. Kwa miaka mingi nimeona kwamba hakuna mtaala kamilifu. Lakini kuuliza swali lifuatalo kutakusaidia kufanya uchaguzi bora: - Ni nini mtaala wa kufundisha na kujifunza mtindo? - Je, mtaala huo hauna sehemu muhimu ya kujifunza lugha hiyo kwa ufanisi? - Je, mtaala wa lugha ni mwingi sana au ni wa hali ya juu sana kwangu kufundisha? - Je, ninahitaji kuongeza mtaala? - Ikiwa siwezi kuzungumza lugha na mtoto wangu anahitaji msaada... nina chaguzi zipi? Kuwa na mpango tayari. Ikiwa utapanga kimbele utaweza kuendelea na kumtia moyo mtoto wako asikate tamaa!