A Basket Full of Languages

A tisket, A tasket , lots of languages in a basket.....

There's a new egg in my child's language basket this year. Swedish is a request, so I will allow a one semester trial before we set it in stone. I think kids need to have some experience with a foreign language to see if it's good for them. Especially helpful before having to study it full time for two high school years.

I find some foreign languages just aren't easy for me. They shouldn't be easy you say? Well, some of them are... for me. Some of them are more difficult. I'm a bit lazy so I want one that I will learn easier and quicker because it motivates me. If you can find a few languages good for them NOW, then they will make an informed decision later. Making choices is part of life so start the practice now.

I expect my child to have 3 languages during High School not including their mother tongue. You say they don't have time to have 2 years of three different languages? Sure they do ! In my state, home schooled children start collecting Carnegie Credit Hours in 7th grade. Check your state home school laws. Children with learning difficulties should only have one foreign language. They need a lot of extra time for their Native language so let them have it. They can always continue in college or as a hobby.

I believe selecting a language widely spoken in your area is a must, then let them pick two others. My child wants to be a clothing designer (at this point- they WILL change their minds). So French is on the list because of this. It's really a sensible pick imho. In public school, kids don't always have a choice and that's sad. Learning needs to be about information, freedom and fun otherwise the kids will hate it. Let's not make the same mistakes.

Have FUN!