Betherina Posted March 23, 2014 Share Posted March 23, 2014 Hello, I have just spent the last ~too-many-hours~ researching these boards for advice on what to do for high school Spanish. We currently have Rosetta Stone 1-5, purchased for a steal on Craigslist several years back (my husband wanted to learn Spanish, but hasn't found the time, tee hee). I love the idea that I already have the discs - cost is free! However, I am very concerned about the lack of grammar instruction if we use RS. Is there something we can use to supplement the RS? Is that what you would do if you already had the discs sitting on your shelf? Another option is TPS, but I am concerned about workload for my ninth grader. She will be taking a couple other courses for the first time through TPS, and I don't want to completely overwhelm her right off the bat. Advice??? FYI, my sister is fluent in Spanish (that is all she speaks at home to her kids; her husband is native to Mexico) and lives down the street from us. Pretty much every-other-person that we know also speaks Spanish, so my dd would have plenty of opportunity to practice her skills in conversations. Please help me!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teeterbunch Posted March 23, 2014 Share Posted March 23, 2014 Same for us. Bought Rosetta, but then read reviews on here that said we need more. Language is more a "check off the box" course for us. What can I supplement with? Ashley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Random Posted March 23, 2014 Share Posted March 23, 2014 Here is a thread from a while ago, with some supplemental ideas: http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/503140-alternatives-to-rosetta-stone/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teeterbunch Posted March 23, 2014 Share Posted March 23, 2014 Could it be as simple as just buying "Spanish for Dummies"? It has great reviews, and some reviewers have used it specifically with Rosetta Stone. Ashley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KarenNC Posted March 23, 2014 Share Posted March 23, 2014 Study Spanish has a grammar section and is free---might that help? http://www.studyspanish.com/teacher-area/help/free-membership.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kareni Posted March 23, 2014 Share Posted March 23, 2014 ... advice on what to do for high school Spanish. One book to consider would be Madrigal's Magic Key to Spanish: A Creative and Proven Approach by Margarita Madrigal Here are a few older threads that discuss it. Madrigal's Magic Key to Spanish: A Creative and Proven Approach Rosetta Stone not working out? In which Dee decides to learn Spanish Regards, Kareni Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EndOfOrdinary Posted March 23, 2014 Share Posted March 23, 2014 Depending on what you are learning the language for, and how your student responds RSO might be fine. Especially if you know a native speaker your child can talk to and ask questions. My son bombed out on it, however he wants to be a linguist. It was important he could not only read/write/speak the language, but also explain why it behaved certain ways. Rosetta does not explain, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't try it with you kid if conversational language and box checking as the goals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingiguana Posted March 23, 2014 Share Posted March 23, 2014 I can't resist: Y un pequeno perro para ti.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
journey00 Posted March 23, 2014 Share Posted March 23, 2014 I can't resist: Y un pequeno perro para ti.... I'm dying laughing!! Ty for posting this. :) Very timely post. I'm also searching for a 9th grade Spanish curriculum. I'm a native Spanish speaker so she would have someone to converse with daily. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raristy Posted March 24, 2014 Share Posted March 24, 2014 Have you checked Duolingo? My kids really enjoy it. I think I'm going to teach them using Breaking the Spanish Barrier. Supplement with Think Spanish Magazine http://www.thinklanguage.com/spanish/. I like having them watch the Yabla videos also :)... Rosa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kroe1 Posted March 24, 2014 Share Posted March 24, 2014 Lifepacs are relatively short lessons which are grammar focused. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harriet Vane Posted March 24, 2014 Share Posted March 24, 2014 The number one issue with RS and every other language learning course is the lack of real practice with real people. Consider 121Spanish in addition to RS. You can search my name for more posts about them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverMoon Posted March 24, 2014 Share Posted March 24, 2014 We're going with Paso A Paso 1 for Spanish 1 with Madrigal's Magic Key on the shelf for an extra resource. I've read through some of the book, but we don't have any actual experience with it yet. Madrigal looks like a gem. We play around with Duolingo already and really enjoy it, but it does not actually teach the grammar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Betherina Posted March 24, 2014 Author Share Posted March 24, 2014 Thank you to everyone for the advice (and the laughs, flyingiguana)! It looks like I have some more research to complete. I have ordered Madrigal's Magic Key, so hopefully that combined with the links and information you have provided will point me in the right direction. Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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