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2012-07-18 8:32 PM

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Subject: Kids language education question
We're trying (last minute) to find a week long summer camp for our 9 year old.  Real close to us there's a college that holds language exploration/immersion camps that come very highly recommended and look like a ton of fun.  Here's the link:  Click Me  At 9 years old, is a kid going to really learn anything and retain it for further use, or should this just be all about fun?  What I'm really wondering is, do I just let him pick any old language that looks like fun, even if he'll never use it?  Or would you steer him towards one of the more popular languages that could actually be useful to know as he gets older?  As interesting as it might be for him to learn Portuguese or Chinese, would he have as much fun in Spanish, French or German which might actually prove more useful in the long term?


2012-07-18 9:01 PM
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Alexandria, MN
Subject: RE: Kids language education question
Well, for what it's worth I showed him the languages available for the dates we're looking at and he chose Spanish.  Other options were German, Chinese, Swedish and Swiss camps.  I actually asked him if he was sure he didn't want to do German, Swedish or Swiss and he said that he definitely wanted to do Spanish.
2012-07-18 9:04 PM
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Subject: RE: Kids language education question
Kids are sponges, especially when it comes to languages. They will remember and perhaps develop a real interest. If you can help them keep it going whe they come home by labeling things around the house I their newly learned language, it will only benefit them. I would recommend Spanish or Chinese as they will likely carry the most advantages going forward. Learning languages helps to develop skills in other areas. In sum, do it. It can only benefit your kiddo.
2012-07-18 9:58 PM
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Subject: RE: Kids language education question
My 2yo retains a decent amount of Spanish from a class at daycare. I'm amazed how much she learns. They mostly sing and play, but she's learning.
2012-07-18 11:23 PM
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Subject: RE: Kids language education question
If he learns, great if not and if he had fun then awesome. Camp shouldn't be about learning more unless they learn as they have a blast. jmo
2012-07-19 8:46 AM
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Subject: RE: Kids language education question

My kid is starting kindergarten this year, and we enrolled him in a Chinese language immersion school.  As sort of a prep to it, we sent him to a week long immersion summer camp.  Quite frankly, there was a very brief introduction to the language.  He learned only a handful of words, mostly how to say a couple colors and hello and goodbye.  And I'm sure that since my wife and I know absolutely no Chinese and can't help to keep it going, he will forget it all within another week.  But he had a lot of fun, learned a little about the Chinese culture, and is now really excited about getting to go to school and speaking the language.  So if you're going to do it, go in with the attitude that it's nothing more than a fun camp that might possibly give your kid the desire to begin learning a second language. 

FWIW, we chose Chinese over Spanish and French because by the time he graduates highschool they will most likely own us.  So being fluent in the language seemed like it had the most potential to open doors.



2012-07-19 9:12 AM
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Subject: RE: Kids language education question

Climbinggonzo - 2012-07-18 9:32 PM We're trying (last minute) to find a week long summer camp for our 9 year old.  Real close to us there's a college that holds language exploration/immersion camps that come very highly recommended and look like a ton of fun.  Here's the link:  Click Me  At 9 years old, is a kid going to really learn anything and retain it for further use, or should this just be all about fun?  What I'm really wondering is, do I just let him pick any old language that looks like fun, even if he'll never use it?  Or would you steer him towards one of the more popular languages that could actually be useful to know as he gets older?  As interesting as it might be for him to learn Portuguese or Chinese, would he have as much fun in Spanish, French or German which might actually prove more useful in the long term?

Interestingly, my oldest daughter learned French in school.  She worked at it and became reasonably fluent.  She now lives ahd works in Brazil and has had to learn Portuguese.  Her work is conducted in mainly in Portuguese.  She translates between her US or London customers to her Brazilian team.  Brazil is an up and coming country with vast natural resources, particularly oil and gas. 

It is good to learn a foreign language and with the Latin languages there is some carry over from one to another.  Spanish is a great choice.  My daughter's company wants her to move to a Spanish speaking country and become proficient in that as well so she can work with all their South American offices.  Having language skills opens a lot of doors.

Youngest daughter was in a Spanish immersion program from kindergarten through junior high school.  Half of the school classes were taught in Spanish every day by a native Spanish-speaking teacher.  She now works in research studying language acquisition.

 



Edited by tech_geezer 2012-07-19 9:13 AM
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