World Languages

• How to Homeschool World Languages in High School

  20 March 2013 / Curricula, Foreign Languages, High School, World Languages / 0 Comment

   

  We live in a world where it is not uncommon to meet people who count English as their second language. It is good for those of us who spoke English first to also speak another language.
  

  Many states and homeschool programs require at least 2 credits of a foreign (world) language. A number of colleges want 3 or 4 credits in the same language.

  

  The allowed languages vary from place to place, so check HSLDA’s website for information (and join, too) on state requirements.

  

  Grown-up homeschoolers: Nathan teaches in Korea, Justin is a Russian translator

  In our area, these languages count:

  -Any non-English language currently being spoken

  -Latin, Biblical Hebrew and Greek

  -Sign Language

  There are various ways to earn the credit:

  -Take classes at the local homeschool umbrella

  -Do a language co-op

  -Work with a tutor

  -On your own: try immersion courses (where the entire course is taught in the language) such as Rosetta Stone (homeschool version)

  1 level= 1 credit in the homeschool version
  

  -On your own: try grammar-based curricula such as Switched-on Schoolhouse                                            

  

  Kym teaches Spanish and Russian to local homeschool group classes

  
  

  
  -On your own: a couple of our local homeschool families have begun to use Speed Spanish

  Do Carnegie Units: 135 logged hours

  -On your own: Several of our local families have been using Tell Me More

  It has 4 years with online curriculum with 10 Levels with CD curriculum (students at our umbrella school complete 2.5 CDs/year for credit)

  -On your own: American Sign Language University
  Log 135 hour for Carnegie credit

  For struggling learners, there are ways to make the World Languages credit happen. However, you might need to work with your local homeschool advisor to see what is permissible in your area.

  How have your homeschoolers been learning world languages?

• How to Homeschool High School - A Quick Reference

  30 August 2011 / Curricula, Foreign Languages, Geography, High School, Homeschool Information, Language Arts, Literature, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Teaching, Transcripts, World Languages / 0 Comment

  Homeschooling the High School years can be intimidating!  It doesn't have to scare you away, though!

  I love having a quick reference available at my fingertips whenever I'm tackling a project.  As you tackle your new school year (tackle the year, not the student!), here's a quick reference list of some of our most popular posts explaining how to homeschool high school.  In case you don't know, 7 Sisters Innovative Homeschool Helps is Allison, Kym, Marilyn, Sabrina, Sara, and Vicki, and we have homeschooled our own 27 kids as well as hundreds of others in co-ops, homeschooling day-schools, and other cooperative homeschooling ventures.

  

  On Earning Credits and Transcript Creation:

  26 Credits Your Homeschool High School Needs

  6 Components of a Powerful Homeschool Transcript

  5 Cool Ways to Earn Homeschool High School Credits

  4 Reasons Why Your Homeschool High Schooler Needs Non-Commonplace Courses

   

  On English - Literature and Writing:

  How to Choose Books for Homeschooling High School Literature

  Understanding Why Students Hate to Edit Their Writing

  Steps 1 & 2 in the Writing Process

  5 Ways to Improve Vocabulary for Your Homeschooler

   

  On Foreign Language:

  How to Homeschool World Languages in High School

  Spanish, French, Russian, Chinese, Japanese - Making World Languages Fun!

  Spanish, French, Russian, Chinese, Japanese - Making World Languages Fun in a Group!

   

  On Math:

  How to Homeschool Math in High School

  What I Look for in a Great Homeschool Algebra Curriculum

   

  On Science:

  How to Homeschool High School Science

  3 Good Reasons to Study Earth Science

   

  On Social Sciences:

  New Text Reveals:  Boys Become Human!

  Why Human Development from a Christian Worldview is a Required Subject in Our Homeschool

  6 Reasons Your Christian High Schooler Need Human Development

  How to Homeschool High School Science

   

  On Social Studies:

  3 Ways to Teach Big Ideas That Change the World

  5 Ways to Teach Independence

  Curriculum Review - Ultimate Geography Guide by Hogan and Wiggers

  Curriculum Review - Critical Thinking in United States History

  ====================================

  Have you tried one of our literature study guides yet?  

  These affordable  ebooks (only $3.99 each) are a great introduction to 7 Sisters' curriculum.  Written by Sabrina Justison and Vicki Tillman, MA with collaboration by Dr. Gerald R. Culley, Ph.D., these guides help you and your student get the most out of a work of classic literature.

  Each literature study guide includes background information, vocabulary, discussion questions, supplemental resources, and answer key.  They take the lesson-planning out of English for the duration of the book you are reading.

  Download one and see how helpful a literature study guide can be!

  Click the book title to order the study guide for The Hobbit, British Poetry, Antigone, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, A Christmas Carol, Sense and Sensibility, The Invisible Man, Animal Farm, T. S. Eliot's Cats, or A Tale of Two Cities.

  From a homeschool mom who reviewed the literature study guide for A Tale of Two Cities:

  "Some time ago on 7 Sisters, you gave your "Tale of Two Cities" study guide as a freebie and asked for feedback.   Just wanted to say that it looks fantastic and helpful.  Love the questions, love the vocab, love the writing suggestions."

  

   

   

• 5 Reasons You Should Learn a World Language in Your Homeschool

  27 July 2011 / Curricula, High School, Homeschool Information, Transcripts, World Languages / 4 Comments

  Download for 1/2 price today! $3.49 for Introductory Guide to High School Poetry Writing.

  Your middle- and high-schooler needs the creativity inspired by writing poetry. It will help his word power for speaking, writing research papers, essays, and short stories.

  This 25-page guide to reading and writing poetry helps the novice poet learn the basics of poetry. He will feel more comfortable with creativity and more powerful with his language.

  ===================================================================

  Vicki has been asking me to write some World Language posts for what seem like forever.

  Since I am the procrastination expert among the Sisters and our umbrella school's longest tenured language teacher, I wanted to offer you "the perfect post". Well, we all know I'll never write "the perfect post", but Vicki's How to Homeschool World Languages in High School  got me all fired up.

  

  Before you can choose the correct  HOW TO you may want to consider your WHY.  With all due respects to David Letterman...

  5)    Meeting Requirements - Maybe for college admission, maybe for your state to issue you a "get out of high school free card" (aka diploma) or maybe even because your mom or your "Mrs Tillman" says you have to do it!

  4)    Getting that Career Edge - We all know the job market is very tight right now.  Knowing even a little of another language can give you a big advantage over your competition in landing the job and maybe even being successful once you've got it!

  3)    Connecting with the World Around You - Whether it's communicating with an internet friend or writing an email to the child you sponsor in South America.  There is a deeper connection when you communicate with someone in their own language.  I love writing to my Panamanian friend Bisli (http://www.bisli.net/) or my Mexican friend Roberta (http://www.ecoyuc.com/) and I'm so grateful when they help me with my grammar, spelling, colloquialisms, etc!

  2)    Ministering to Others -Volunteering at the local hospital, food bank, or church are all great formal ways to practice your new skills while you serve others.  It can also be much less formal.

  One year, we made it to the top of  the Grand Canyon after a 14 hour hike from the canyon floor in blistering heat.  We staggered into the ice cream parlor to find the line stalled.  A lovely couple from Venezuela was struggling to order and the scooper was struggling to understand. By simply knowing the words helado and chocolate, they all smiled and we were able to join our new French friends Christine and Alain for some glace de choclate!

  

  One of Kym's former Spanish students enjoying his ice cream. (The dog was not the student.)

  1)    Having Fun! - OK, some people may think the fun should have been reason #5, but I respectfully disagree.  Let's face it...FUN is a powerful motivator! Don't you care and want to learn more, or at the very least have a positive impression to share with others, when you are having fun?

  As a high school senior, I can remember having in-depth private conversations with one of my best buds, "Amada" Lewis, right in the middle of our kitchen.  We spoke in a mixture of Spanish, French, Russian and even a little pig-Latin! 

  Having fun is always among my top 3 goals when I teach.  Stayed tuned for more posts in our World Languages series.

  Which of these reasons motivates you and your homeschool?  Or can you add another great reason to our list?

  =====================================================================

  Don't forget to sign up for our free weekly newsletter right here on this page! (Look at the right-hand column.)