Bilingual in Home School
By Mimi Rothschild
Immersing your family in a second language will give your home school children a wider perspective and a greater understanding of the world, its cultures, and its people. Home school families have the perfect opportunity and environment for learning and using a second language. The knowledge of a second language will prove to be invaluable and will help to shape the future of every home school child.
Conversation is the best way to become proficient in a second language. If the language is never used, it is of little value. Learning a second language is not just a matter of reading a textbook or learning the rules of grammar and vocabulary. Home school families should make conversation in a second language a regular part of their daily activities. It is very likely that there are home school families where one or more parent can speak in their native language. Children will listen and learn from hearing their conversation and will want to take part in it. Practice does indeed make perfect and home school families have the advantage of frequent and comfortable association and interaction with each other. Home school families feel free to express themselves in a second language, knowing they won’t be subject to harsh criticism or unfair treatment.
Home school children gain an even better understanding of a second language when combined with their studies of geography and history. A second language should be considered in the total concept of the country in which it is spoken There are movies, audio books, newspaper, magazines, and tapes in second languages at the library. Many television shows that home school families can watch are aired in a second language. It is often said that to become proficient in a language, you must think in the language. Immerse your family in the sights and sounds of a second language.
Immersing your home school family in a second language will enable your children to participate in and contribute to their community. Make it a point to attend some of the international festivities and folk fests, where a second language is used. Explore the many ethnic foods, learn their origin and their names, and practice using them. Home school families can meet, appreciate, and enjoy people from other countries to a far greater extent when they are familiar with their language.
Immersing your family in a second language will enrich their lives and help to ensure their success in the world around them.
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