|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
| Bilingual/Multilingual Families |
| Public online group |
|
|
| |
|
|
Hi everyone,
I am new to this group. I am a mom of 3 bilingual children (English/Spanish) and I am a recently retired Spanish teacher of 10 yrs. I know how important it is for children to be introduced to a world language as young as possible, and I am taking complete advantage of it. I speak Spanish & English to my 7 & 4 1/2 yr old and only Spanish to my 2 yr old. It has made a tremendous difference.
The 2 yr old is switching between the 2 languages effortlessly and the 4 yr old does when I insist. However, my son, the 7 yr old will only answer in English.
Maribel, I will be starting a playgroup very soon too. I will be using total immersion. Partly because of my personal experiences with my own children.
Now, I'd like some advice, please. I have a mobile world language program for children 1 to 7 years old. I teach children world languages (ESL, Spanish, French, Chinese, Portuguese, Italian, Urdu, Russian, Japanese...). The key word is MOBILE. I am looking for a location to offer my program and haven't had any success. I tried the YMCA, Community Center & sent postcards to local daycare centers. NO LUCK. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I have decided to start a playgroup at my home and offer an abbreviate or tweaked version. Please offer some advice.
Thank you, Gracias, Xie Xie! |
| Posted by Ayishah on 04/20/2008 08:45 AM
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Hola Ayishah!!
It's always a treat for me to meet people that share the same passion as I do. Also, thank you for your input in my poll, it sounds like you've been doing this much longer than I have, and I know I have a lot to learn. I would however like to reply to your comment:
Total immersion may be the best way to teach young children to speak a new language. However, it depends greatly on how it is done. "Swim or sink" can be a cruel and ineffective way to teach, and can leave children - and their caregiver- feeling lost and intimidated, and the child can quickly loose interest. Therefore, the immersion experience needs to be adapted to the needs of beginning language learners. I look at young children's general learning needs and communicative interests to develop "easy immersion" techniques. I believe that the key to successful language acquisition in the young child is the partnership between parent, child and teacher. I don't expect a child to acquire the Spanish language by attending my playgroup once a week. The age group I teach acquires language naturally during everyday activities, so the minimal bilingual support and/or instruction that I provide is more of a "guide". It's a win/win situation- the parent comes out of the playgroup having learned useful words and phrases she can use immediatly with the child. On the other hand, the child doesn't want to leave the playgroup because it's fun and they can effortlessly follow along and not loose interest. Again, my English support is minimal, and I use less of it with more advanced groups.
Your program sounds impressive!! Do you speak all the languages in your program? I also have tried daycare centers and some preschools with no luck. I did get contracted to teach at a "kids club", an indoor play and activity center that is privately owned. I'm a very busy mom of two little boys, so I haven't done too much leg work I must admit. But everytime I take my boys to the park, I always carry business cards that I hand out to other moms. Some of my most loyal students I've met at the park. I also give free classes from time to time at my surrounding library, it's a good way to let parents know that your program exists. You may want to check with your local "Gymboree", they offer sign language but no world language. Also, check with your local book stores like Barnes & Nobles or Borders. You'll probably have more success with your "home" playgroup. OK, this was a mouth full, sorry. But I would love to pick your brain and you do the same with me. Like I said, I'm new at this and I have a lot to learn. What guides me in developing my program is my personal research, my experience with my two little boys, and good old common sense.
Chat with you soon.. gracias!!!
PS- my personal e-mail: maribel@wearelittleamigos.com
|
| posted by Maribel on 04/20/2008 09:40 PM
|
|
|
|
|
There is a lovely tutoring web site that can help you get started with your program. tutorsteach.com
Parent will write to you requesting classes. You also might want to hook up with a local Chinese Day Care in your area. They love to teach their children languages. I aught to know because I used to work in a Chinese school. |
| posted by Lisa on 04/21/2008 10:54 AM
|
|
|
|
|
| Thanks for the suggestions Lisa. I'll check out tutorsteach.com. As for the Chinese Day Care, there are none here. I'll keep checking though. Thanks |
| posted by Ayishah on 04/21/2008 02:33 PM
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
| |  |
| |
|
|
|
