Teaching Foreign Language

1. Teaching Foreign Language Copyright © The HomeScholar

2. Foreign language is one of the basic, core courses that most high school students need to cover before they graduate from high school. In fact, for those students who plan to attend college, it’s pretty much a requirement. Copyright © The HomeScholar

3. While some schools don’t have a foreign language requirement, the vast majority do, so it’s important to consider how you will incorporate it into your student’s coursework. Some schools require just one year, and others require up to three, so this is not something you can tack on to your child’s senior year and call it good! Copyright © The HomeScholar

4. In addition to being a requirement for college admissions, there are many other good reasons for a student to study a foreign language. First, studying a foreign language is a great way to improve your English grammar skills. As you learn about verbs and parts of speech in the new language, you can’t help but brush up on the English equivalents too. Copyright © The HomeScholar

5. Some languages don’t have the same parts of speech as English does, so learning about them just highlights our own language. Studying a language also improves your critical thinking skills. That’s one of the reasons colleges like to see a foreign language, because it gives them hints about a student’s critical thinking skills, as well as study skills. The effort that goes into studying a foreign language shows that a student will likely be successful at college, and have strong study skills. Copyright © The HomeScholar

6. Another good reason to study a foreign language is that English is not spoken everywhere in the world, and your student may someday find themselves in a place where they are not understood and don’t understand others. Americans are often criticized overseas for being rude; sometimes they give the impression that others should speak English to accommodate them, instead of the American learning the foreign language. Copyright © The HomeScholar

7. In order to successfully interact with people in other countries, whether as a guest, a missionary, a businessperson, or whatever, speaking the host country’s language is considered the polite thing to do. Even an attempt is appreciated! Learning a foreign language in high school makes it all the more easier to learn even a smattering of another language as an adult; the skills are the same at any age. Copyright © The HomeScholar

8. Foreign language takes a lot of time to learn, and most experts say that spending 15-20 minutes every day is the most effective way to improve. If you can’t fit foreign language in your regular homeschool schedule, there are other ways to include it. Many students take foreign language classes at their local community college, and three quarters there equals three years of high school language. Copyright © The HomeScholar

9. If your student earns an AA degree from a community college prior to enrolling in a four-year college, the foreign language requirement might be waived, as well. Foreign language can be acquired through natural learning too, instead of text book learning. You could learn a language on a mission trip or other trip overseas, interact with native speakers at home, or use a computer program to gain the speaking skills of a language. Copyright © The HomeScholar

10. Although many students choose from the standard options of Spanish and French (which are fine), there actually are tons of different languages a student could choose. American Sign Language is now accepted at most universities, and it’s a great fit for kids who like to move and are kinesthetic. For kids who are logically-minded or non-linguistic, Latin can be a good choice. Perhaps your child would like to learn Greek or Hebrew?! Copyright © The HomeScholar

11. Most universities honor all of these choices, but if you have any doubts, make sure to check with the universities you’re interested in, to make sure that your plans will satisfy their requirements. Copyright © The HomeScholar

12. Mail Us: Lee@TheHomeScholar.com  Visit Us: www.thehomescholar.com Call Us: 1-888-533-2435 (Toll Free) Copyright © The HomeScholar