There is a joke in international circles that goes something like this:
What do you call someone who knows three languages? Trilingual
What do you call someone who knows two languages? Bilingual
What do you call someone who knows only one language? An American
Like all generalizations, it isn’t the case for everyone in America. Unfortunately, like all good jokes, a thread of truth holds it together. Most Americans are fluent in only one language. Most families that immigrate to the USA speak several languages, but this ability fades by the third generation.
In an increasingly flat world, I’m not sure this is a good thing. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to fit the stereotype.
So I’m using Rosetta Stone to help me learn Spanish. I took Spanish in high school and college, but never really practiced. I hope to be conversationally fluent in a year. I want to read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone in Spanish as well. (Spanish is also the third most popular language online.)
We got the homeschool edition of Rosetta Stone. Each person in my family can have their own login and track their progress through the lessons. My daughter has already started working through the lessons and loves it. I recommend it.
Are you doing anything to help your kids learn another language? What programs are you using? Games? Activities?
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
My son took Spanish from seventh grade through college (minored in it there). Our daughter took German in high school and college (had to be out from under her brother's shadow). Our daughter also did a short exchange program where we hosted a girl from Germany and then her family hosted Rachel for about six weeks each way.
Neither there mom nor I speak another language, but wanted the kids to tap into that capacity while they were young. College requirements also helped with motivation.
College requirements helped me further my Spanish studies as well. I think hosting an exchange student is a great way to help your kids develop an awareness of the world around them.
Thanks for the comment, John!
-Paul.
I asked my South American friend from Second life to teach me Espanol.
As a very lazy Brit, I was impressed by my linguistics capacity and used it to help a Spanish Mum to empujón, with mucha apoyo.
Then our mac decided to give up on English and all the applications to defragment were in Spanish…. it still works
Now if only the Americans could spell properly
)
http://www2.gsu.edu/~wwwesl/egw/jones/differences...
I went to a British School in Hong Kong when I was little. Totally screwed up my ability to spell! I spell half my words American style and half British style. If I didn't have an American spell check on my computer, I would really be in trouble! (Since most of my work is with Americans!)
Thanks for stopping by!
-Paul.
Pablo, muy bueno, you always got me as a practice partner, see you in 2 weeks