Showing posts with label FOREIGN LANGUAGE. Show all posts
Showing posts with label FOREIGN LANGUAGE. Show all posts
Monday, March 14, 2011
ABC News takes a look at education
Definitely a good look into what the successful countries such as China and Finland are doing in terms of educating their children.
Friday, November 5, 2010
CQ - What is it?
CQ, otherwise known as cultural intelligence, is something many young Americans are lacking. According to David Livermore, PhD and author of the book Leading with Cultural Intelligence and directs the Cultural Intelligence Center in East Lansing, cultural intelligence is a "globally recognized way of measuring and improving the way we work in and out of lots of different cultural contexts. CQ is similar to IQ and EQ (emotional intelligence quotient) in that it quantifies a set of capabilities believed to be important to both personal and professional success. CQ is unique in that it focuses specifically on the skills needed for success when moving in and out of lots of different cultures—a reality for many of us and a certainty for our students’ in the future."
I believe that in addition to having a strong foundation in English, Math, and Science, it is equally important to instill a sense of global awareness and camaraderie in our children. So just how do we do that? Here are some tips to get you started:
1. Letting your child learn a second language. When learning a second language, it is important that your child learns all aspect of the language and not just the speaking function. Your child should learn how to read, write and speak the second language. More importantly, your child should be immersed in learning about the culture and history of the chosen language. Finding books and blogs about the legends, history, and current events in those countries is a great start. It is fun to find a mommy blog of a certain country as often times, it details the lives of their children as well. It is a fun way for a child to learn about how children in a different part of the world live each day.
2. Find an international pen pal for your child! A great website for finding a pen pal is Amazing Kids. The Amazing Kids! PenPals Program is a literacy-based, traditional letter writing pen pal program, available to all children ages 5-17 worldwide. At a flat fee of just $10 per child, per pen pal, their program is a low-cost (and fun!) way to help your child practice their literacy skills, while making a new friend. Teachers or groups of 15 or more receive a 50% discount, at just $5 per child.
3. Talk about global current events at home. You can spark an interest in global events within your child by first being interested in it yourselves. As you talk about different global events within your family, you will soon find your children asking questions about those happenings. Try to be positive about such events and if you don't agree with something that's happening, try not to lash out in a derogatory manner. :) Teach your children to form personal opinion of such matters and always ask why they feel about a certain issue. If possible, try to teach them to see the issue in all forms before firming opinions.
4. Try different ethnic foods with your children. This teaches them to enjoy other cultures and not simply live in their bubble of PB + J's!
5. Engage your child in different subjects. Having a strong CQ is not just about being globally aware. Your child should learn to be well-rounded in the arts, technology, geography, and literature, to name a few. Bring your children to watch different plays, listen to different kinds of music, read books of various genres, go to the Opera, go to museums, and so forth.
Well, these few tips should be plentiful to get you started. If you have any more suggestions or ideas, feel free to drop a comment!!! :)
Monday, August 30, 2010
Teaching your kids a second language
I speak Chinese as a second language. It's actually a funny story how I started learning Chinese. Both my parents are Chinese but we never really spoke that language much at home. Sure, the parentals will speak it to each other or to their friends, but somehow it was always English to us kids. After moving to Asia, I started watching TV programs that were in the Chinese language. Yes! Believe it or not, I started learning Chinese by watching television and reading the English subtitles. Of course, a more refined understanding and learning of the language began more formally when I was enrolled in the public school system. As tough as learning a second language was for me, it has become extremely beneficial. Because of my being in the public school and having to learn Mandarin Chinese as a mandatory subject, my level of reading, writing, and conversing has become more so of a native level. I also learnt how to speak a different dialect by listening in to the conversations my parents have with their friends and again from TV programs and movies. As I have my own child now, I do find myself struggling with speaking solely Chinese to him. However, from personal experience, I do know it's never too late to start teaching and conversing with your child in a different language.
Straight from Parents.com, here's how to get your little linguist to begin learning a second language at home:
•Start now. Two- and 3-year-olds are not only increasing their vocabularies, they're starting to recognize the speech patterns they've been hearing since birth. The earlier you introduce a second language, the easier it will be for your child to pick up its unique sounds. The ability to hear different phonetic pronunciations is sharpest before age 3, and we lose the capacity to hear and produce certain sounds if we aren't exposed to them early on, according to François Thibaut, director of the Language Workshop for Children, in New York City. So just hearing a television show, listening to music, or learning a few words in a second language will give your child essential tools for appreciating it now and learning to speak it later.
•Create a casual learning environment. The best way for a child to learn to understand a new language is for him to hear people speaking it fluently, says Thibaut. If he's exposed to conversations, he'll begin to pick up the sounds and the natural accent. Choose a language that is spoken in your neighborhood, on a television show your child can watch regularly, or one that is offered in classes or playgroups in your area. "If you have a bilingual babysitter, encourage her to speak her native language to your child exclusively," says Rhodes. Two- and 3-year-olds love to mimic what they hear, and soon they'll begin to understand the meanings of short words and phrases.
•Teach a word at a time. If you don't want to do formal lessons, you can introduce bilingual basics by pointing out to your child that objects can have two names -- one in each language. "When my 2-year-old son, Constantinos, sees a spider, he'll say 'spider' to me in English and then say it in Greek to my husband," says Cassandra Attard, of Nottingham, New Hampshire. "He knows they mean the same thing." As your child learns new words, tell him what they're called in a second language too.
•Have reasonable expectations. Of course, a child won't learn to speak another language fluently from hearing words, watching videos, or singing songs. But simply being exposed to a language will help her understand phrases when she hears them. So even though you probably won't be having a French conversation with your child very soon, if you say "bonne nuit" every night at bedtime, she'll figure out what you mean.
Personally, I think another fun way to get your child interested in learning a different language and not thinking that's the "boring parental language" is to immerse your child in that language's culture. For example, as a child, I loved reading about Chinese folk tales and legends. As I was reading the Chinese storybooks about them, I was exposed to the written language of Chinese idioms and proverbs. I was also fortunate to have a tutor who told me fascinating stories about how each proverb or idiom came to me. It was intriguing and I enjoyed learning. It also made learning a difficult language so much more interesting and it certainly captivated my attention. I also enjoyed learning about the different festivals and the stories and histories behind them. Share all the cultual details with your child. It will bring the language to life and will encourage a deeper interest in that particular language. If you can afford it or have the chance to, perhaps rewarding your child with a visit to that certain country after he/she has accomplished certain feats in attaining a higher level in that language skill will be a fun and educational incentive for your child and family as a whole.
Sometimes, having a foreign-exchanged student from that country will do wonders for your child as well. Your child have to learn how to converse with that student and it will be a great experience for both kids. If financially or for some other reason, that is not feasible, have no fear...there are a ton of other things you can do with your child. Purchase or borrow from the library, storybooks and movies in that language. Often times, it is quite easy to find Disney movies in different languages. That might be a fun way for your family to have that second language be a part of your lifestyle! Supplement their learning with music of that language as well. Music is often times a strong factor in teaching children. Do take advantage of that!!! Nowadays, with the internet being so widely used and available, it is easy to find such media on youtube or simply by googling it.
I do believe it is important for the child to not just learn how to converse. Their conversation skills will be strengthened when they learn how to read and write in that language as well. Create flashcards and teach your child the written word in addition to speaking it at home. That is often the harder part of learning a new language. Create a reward chart or system to encourage them to do so!!!
If you have any other ideas or suggestions, do share them with us! What do you do with your kids that help them learn a different language! I would love to get more great ideas!!!!
Straight from Parents.com, here's how to get your little linguist to begin learning a second language at home:
•Start now. Two- and 3-year-olds are not only increasing their vocabularies, they're starting to recognize the speech patterns they've been hearing since birth. The earlier you introduce a second language, the easier it will be for your child to pick up its unique sounds. The ability to hear different phonetic pronunciations is sharpest before age 3, and we lose the capacity to hear and produce certain sounds if we aren't exposed to them early on, according to François Thibaut, director of the Language Workshop for Children, in New York City. So just hearing a television show, listening to music, or learning a few words in a second language will give your child essential tools for appreciating it now and learning to speak it later.
•Create a casual learning environment. The best way for a child to learn to understand a new language is for him to hear people speaking it fluently, says Thibaut. If he's exposed to conversations, he'll begin to pick up the sounds and the natural accent. Choose a language that is spoken in your neighborhood, on a television show your child can watch regularly, or one that is offered in classes or playgroups in your area. "If you have a bilingual babysitter, encourage her to speak her native language to your child exclusively," says Rhodes. Two- and 3-year-olds love to mimic what they hear, and soon they'll begin to understand the meanings of short words and phrases.
•Teach a word at a time. If you don't want to do formal lessons, you can introduce bilingual basics by pointing out to your child that objects can have two names -- one in each language. "When my 2-year-old son, Constantinos, sees a spider, he'll say 'spider' to me in English and then say it in Greek to my husband," says Cassandra Attard, of Nottingham, New Hampshire. "He knows they mean the same thing." As your child learns new words, tell him what they're called in a second language too.
•Have reasonable expectations. Of course, a child won't learn to speak another language fluently from hearing words, watching videos, or singing songs. But simply being exposed to a language will help her understand phrases when she hears them. So even though you probably won't be having a French conversation with your child very soon, if you say "bonne nuit" every night at bedtime, she'll figure out what you mean.
Personally, I think another fun way to get your child interested in learning a different language and not thinking that's the "boring parental language" is to immerse your child in that language's culture. For example, as a child, I loved reading about Chinese folk tales and legends. As I was reading the Chinese storybooks about them, I was exposed to the written language of Chinese idioms and proverbs. I was also fortunate to have a tutor who told me fascinating stories about how each proverb or idiom came to me. It was intriguing and I enjoyed learning. It also made learning a difficult language so much more interesting and it certainly captivated my attention. I also enjoyed learning about the different festivals and the stories and histories behind them. Share all the cultual details with your child. It will bring the language to life and will encourage a deeper interest in that particular language. If you can afford it or have the chance to, perhaps rewarding your child with a visit to that certain country after he/she has accomplished certain feats in attaining a higher level in that language skill will be a fun and educational incentive for your child and family as a whole.
Sometimes, having a foreign-exchanged student from that country will do wonders for your child as well. Your child have to learn how to converse with that student and it will be a great experience for both kids. If financially or for some other reason, that is not feasible, have no fear...there are a ton of other things you can do with your child. Purchase or borrow from the library, storybooks and movies in that language. Often times, it is quite easy to find Disney movies in different languages. That might be a fun way for your family to have that second language be a part of your lifestyle! Supplement their learning with music of that language as well. Music is often times a strong factor in teaching children. Do take advantage of that!!! Nowadays, with the internet being so widely used and available, it is easy to find such media on youtube or simply by googling it.
I do believe it is important for the child to not just learn how to converse. Their conversation skills will be strengthened when they learn how to read and write in that language as well. Create flashcards and teach your child the written word in addition to speaking it at home. That is often the harder part of learning a new language. Create a reward chart or system to encourage them to do so!!!
If you have any other ideas or suggestions, do share them with us! What do you do with your kids that help them learn a different language! I would love to get more great ideas!!!!
Friday, July 16, 2010
A fun way to learn a new language!
Since we're on the topics of summer camps, I have to give a shout out to an innovative summer camp: Concordia Language Villages. Concordia Language Villages is the premiere language and cultural immersion program in the United States. They are advocates for language learning. For nearly 50 years, Concordia Language Villages, in the beautiful North Woods of Minnesota, has been boldly and optimistically pursuing a vision of peace and understanding by introducing learners to the languages and cultures of our world. Kids live in "villages" of the language of their choice and are immersed into the language, culture, and cuisine of that country. The kids are called "villagers". So how do villagers learn the language when counselors speak only that language and don’t explain in English? Speaking the language to villagers, without using English, is a hallmark of immersion language learning. Counselors help villagers understand the Village language in many ways: gestures, pictures, pointing, facial expressions, actual objects, mime, repetition, examples, demonstrations, use of themselves or villagers as models – to name a few!
Although providing an English translation is one way to support understanding of another language, it’s not one we use very often. For instance, the counselors would tell a child that a certain new word means “lake,” and say the word “lake” in English to explain. However, they can also explain it just as clearly by saying that new word and pointing at the lake.
They even have a fun family program where you can attend the camp as a family!!! This seriously is a great way for your child to learn a new language!
Although providing an English translation is one way to support understanding of another language, it’s not one we use very often. For instance, the counselors would tell a child that a certain new word means “lake,” and say the word “lake” in English to explain. However, they can also explain it just as clearly by saying that new word and pointing at the lake.
They even have a fun family program where you can attend the camp as a family!!! This seriously is a great way for your child to learn a new language!
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Reading Tip #5: A Creative Way to Get Your Child to Read!
Most of the kids I've met LOVE watching TV and movies. A fun way to get your child to read for them to watch foreign language cartoons or movies with English subtitles. Studies have shown that children learn to read faster when they have to keep up with subtitles. In addition, they may also pick up a second language along the way. I first learnt Mandarin Chinese by watching television and reading the English subtitles. It's amazing what children can pick up. You can rent or borrow foreign movies and cartoons from your local library, netflix or blockbusters. Certain DVDs also include Spanish or French languages with English subtitles so be sure to check out your collection of movies at home first!
Of course, I wouldn't encourage dumping your kids in front of the tube all day. This can always be a special reward for good behavior, helping out with the chores, doing well in school, etc... Try it out and let me know how it goes!
Of course, I wouldn't encourage dumping your kids in front of the tube all day. This can always be a special reward for good behavior, helping out with the chores, doing well in school, etc... Try it out and let me know how it goes!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
