Foreign Language Curriculum Recommendations?

[mochick]

Tried to use Tell Me More (like Rosetta Stone, only cheaper) French with dd in 9th grade two years ago, gave it up due to feeling like I couldn't figure out how to grade her on it--no tests, no instruction that I could evaluate and say, "ok, you learned THIS." DD is now going into 11th, and we definitely still need that 2 years of foreign language...I think what I'd like to do is still use the Tell Me More but as a supplement only, and find a more textbook approach for grammar...so now I need a recommendation. I do know some French but would still like a Teacher's Manual for grading purposes, so I don't want anything that doesn't come with one. What have y'all used and had success with? I don't need all the CD's/DVD's, I just want a textbook/tests and TE.

 

Along those lines, I also need a recommendation for Spanish (except perhaps this time with a CD or DVD) for dd #2, going into 9th gr, who is not interested in French and will probably be somewhat foreign language challenged...don't want to spring the big money for another edition of Tell Me More, I don't think... can y'all help me out? :-) Thanks in advance!

[LanaTron]

bump

[memphispeg]

We are doing OSU German online. They have several languages. Courses have been well-reviewed on this forum. When dc are in high school you need a v. strong academic curriculum for foreign language. Rosetta Stone was too "casual" for us.

[mochick]

Yea, I did read the posts about OSU, but I don't have that kind of money. I agree I want a good curriculum for foreign language, but I cannot afford to spend $1000 this year for three of my kids to take one course (I didn't say it in the original post, but dd #3, going into 8th gr, is also going to be doing the French with her older sister.) I frankly can't even afford upwards of the $300 just for one of them to go that route. Please help me with some good textbook-type suggestions, all y'all! :-)

[Chris in VA]

My son used Allez, Viens in public school. Maybe it would work for you. There's a workbook and cd's, but you can skip the cd's.

I do think the best option is to do CC.

[mochick]

Thanks, I will look for that. I had hoped we'd be doing much more with CC at this point, but we are rural and finances won't allow the extra gas money, nor the tuition...

[StephanieZ]

We are very happy with Galore Park's So You Really Want to Learn Spanish. They also have it for French.

 

They have a special on the spanish right now

 

http://www.galorepark.co.uk/special-offers/home-educators-copies/1/

 

which is an excellent price.

 

My kids really like it. Their tutor (who teaches college & high school spanish) seems to like it and says it is very solid, and is very happy with their skills.

[1bassoon]

So - would Galore Park Spanish work for use with no tutor, as a stand-alone course for a h.s. student with "some" parent help? Is Level 1 worth 1 credit of h.s. Foreign language?

[cathmom]

I wouldn't worry about grading - I would just count hours of study. 120 hours studying French= 1 credit.

 

Have you ever seen French in Action or Destinos? Here's the links: http://www.learner.org/resources/series83.html

 

http://www.learner.org/resources/series75.html

 

They are half hour long shows that introduce the language via an ongoing storyline. For Destinos, there are companion materials which you may be able to find used on ebay or half.com or somewhere. There probably is for French in Action too. You can also watch the videos by themselves.