What Spanish do you all recommend for high school?

[Naturalmama2]

I searched, but hardly anything came up for "Spanish."  We have been using Rosetta Stone.  I bought the largest set, thinking we would use it throughout high school, but it will not work.  It doesn't "hear" what my children nor I say.  We have bought another head set.  Plus, I have called support, but I have had the software past the 6 months or so that they support it.  So, it is back to the drawing board.  Can anyone recommend a Spanish curriculum?

[dhudson]

Homeschool Spanish Academy. My ds has used it for all of his high school career and is now in his 4th year. We really like the personalized instruction, the ability to actually talk over Skype to his instructor in Guatemala and their comprehensive curriculum. I personally like the ease with which I can also watch his progress and keep on eye on his assignments and grades. It is also fairly cost effective for private instruction.

 

http://spanish.academy

[cjzimmer1]

We've used La Clase Divertida with Senor Gamache for the past 3 years.  DS has done very very well with him.   I plan to have all my kids take Spanish with him (well unless he retires before we get through them all)

[HollyDay]

We have used a combination of AOP LifePacs and Fluenz.

[journey00]

Homeschool Spanish Academy. My ds has used it for all of his high school career and is now in his 4th year. We really like the personalized instruction, the ability to actually talk over Skype to his instructor in Guatemala and their comprehensive curriculum. I personally like the ease with which I can also watch his progress and keep on eye on his assignments and grades. It is also fairly cost effective for private instruction.

 

http://spanish.academy

 

Is this one on one instruction or is it a classroom setting? Thanks. 

[Woodland Mist Academy]

Homeschool Spanish Academy. My ds has used it for all of his high school career and is now in his 4th year. We really like the personalized instruction, the ability to actually talk over Skype to his instructor in Guatemala and their comprehensive curriculum. I personally like the ease with which I can also watch his progress and keep on eye on his assignments and grades. It is also fairly cost effective for private instruction.

 

http://spanish.academy

 

I've read negative comments about the curriculum the program uses. Do you have any thoughts on that? Just different learning styles or something else?  I am trying to decide what to do about Spanish.

[dhudson]

It is one on one, not a classroom. We have done all four years of high school with The Homeschool Spanish Academy and my ds has done very well. We are looking into him taking the AP Spanish test this spring as he has done so well. I haven't found any problems with the curricula, but my ds is speaking and reading fluent Spanish now so I admit to not looking too closely. It has been extremely successful and cost effective.

[journey00]

It is one on one, not a classroom. We have done all four years of high school with The Homeschool Spanish Academy and my ds has done very well. We are looking into him taking the AP Spanish test this spring as he has done so well. I haven't found any problems with the curricula, but my ds is speaking and reading fluent Spanish now so I admit to not looking too closely. It has been extremely successful and cost effective.

 

dhudson:  There are many instructors to choose from, can you recommend a female instructor? Should I just let them assign me one or how did you choose? Thanks.

[JadeOrchidSong]

How about Visual Link Spanish?

[dhudson]

We haven't ever had a bad teacher.

[SA Homeschooler]

I'm considering using Live Lingua which offers Skype classes with Mexican teachers.  This is appealing to me because the Native speakers will be using an accent and intonation that we are more accustomed to.  I will let you know how it goes.

 

https://www.livelingua.com/costs-spanish.php

[MarkT]

If funds are tight here is a free one:

 

http://allinonehighschool.com/full-curriculum/spanish/spanish-1/

 

 

[MarkT]

I'm considering using Live Lingua which offers Skype classes with Mexican teachers.  This is appealing to me because the Native speakers will be using an accent and intonation that we are more accustomed to.  I will let you know how it goes.

 

https://www.livelingua.com/costs-spanish.php

this looks like a great way to complement a home based listen/reading/writing course such as Easy Peasy with spoken practice.

[SA Homeschooler]

Update:  We are absolutely loving LiveLingua!!

[trudence1]

Can you give a basic idea of how Live Lingual works? How often have YOU chosen to use it? Do you get the same teacher each time? I don't know why, but their website confuses/intimidates me.

[Lori D.]

To be honest -- I recommend outsourcing to a live teacher, if you really want to learn the language, and to be working at actual high school level. Unless you have a strong background in the language yourself, I think it is incredible hard to do a decent job of foreign language at home.

 

There are online classes through Landry, Potter School, BJU, etc. Or local dual enrollment. And probably some local high school level classes. Or, work with a language tutor 2x/week (live, or skype), using the materials they recommend.

 

We went with dual enrollment at the local community college, and it was a fantastic experience. Great teachers, and DS earned simultaneous high school AND college credit, which helped knock out the *college* foreign language gen. ed. requirement before he even got to college! :)

 

BEST of luck in finding the best fit for your family! Warmest regards, Lori D.

 

[SA Homeschooler]

Can you give a basic idea of how Live Lingual works? How often have YOU chosen to use it? Do you get the same teacher each time? I don't know why, but their website confuses/intimidates me.

 

Trudence, we get the same teacher each time.  My ds takes two lessons per week.  The lessons are done via Skype and are very reasonably priced.  You can specifically select a teacher from the Latin American country of your choosing.  I have also been able to give my input as to what I would like the class to focus on--for me, conversational Spanish is more important than grammar and verb conjugation.

 

It was important to me that my son have a Mexican teacher, as that is the dialect and accent that we are accustomed to here in South Texas.  You can get a free lesson so you really have nothing to lose.  I should get them to pay me a referral fee...lol!!

[journey00]

I'm bumping this because I'm wondering if OP is still liking Live Lingual.  If so, which package did you choose to be optimal for your student? There's so many options.  Thanks.

[crazyforlatin]

I'm not the OP but I did buy a livelingua package that gives us the lowest fee per hour. I like it, and I am picky with what is taught. DD is a fast learner, so I don't want the teachers treating her like a child who needs to play online games to learn the language. You have to let the coordinator know exactly what you prefer. I've tried various teachers, and livelingua does not charge you for each new trial.

 

I couldn't decide between HSA or livelingua for this summer. For last year, I supplemented with HSA but decided to go with the latter this year since it does offer more advance Spanish lessons without the increase in fee like with HSA.

[thowell]

How many hours for a full year credit with Livelingua? Trying to figure out what total cost would be.

[Lori D.]

How many hours for a full year credit with Livelingua? Trying to figure out what total cost would be.

 

JMO:

For the typical high school credit I would shoot for a total of 150-180 hours broken down this way:

- minimum of 120-150 hours as teacher contact/instruction hours (with in-class conversation/verbal practice)

- additional 30-60 hours for "language lab" (practice of listening to and repeating vocabulary, phrases, etc. from audio tapes/CD), conversation with other Spanish speakers, homework assignments and other written work, etc. to practice the grammar and sentence structure of the language

 

 

ETA:

Wow, I just looked at LiveLingua costs. Even at the cheapest package of $9/hour, that would end up running just over $1000 for 120 hours of instruction. I know community college dual enrollment varies widely, but it only cost us $680 for two 4-unit semesters of dual enrollment (2 credits of high school Spanish) through dual enrollment at our community college -- and that includes the cost of the text and online access code for the homework as well as tuition...

[thowell]

JMO:

For the typical high school credit I would shoot for a total of 150-180 hours broken down this way:

- minimum of 120-150 hours as teacher contact/instruction hours (with in-class conversation/verbal practice)

- additional 30-60 hours for "language lab" (practice of listening to and repeating vocabulary, phrases, etc. from audio tapes/CD), conversation with other Spanish speakers, homework assignments and other written work, etc. to practice the grammar and sentence structure of the language

 

Sooooooo for minimum 120 hours teacher instruction at $9 per hour that is $1080!!!! Am I missing something???? Surely there must be a more affordable way.

[Lori D.]

Sooooooo for minimum 120 hours teacher instruction at $9 per hour that is $1080!!!! Am I missing something???? Surely there must be a more affordable way.

 

Ha -- I just cross-posted with you with an ETA on my previous post. ;) I had the same reaction about the cost. However, when you compare with online classes, say through Landry or Potter's School, you're still looking at $300-$500 per semester (each is 0.5 credit), so a total of $600-$1000 for one high school credit of Spanish. That puts Livelingua on the very high end, but not totally out of line, esp. if you're getting private tutoring.

 

And if you take Foreign Language when at an average-cost 4-year university, each unit can run anywhere from $500-$1000, so a 4-unit Spanish could easily run you $2000-$4000 PER SEMESTER...

[crazyforlatin]

It is scarily expensive when you crunch the numbers. Alternatively, maybe go with Senor Gamache and add in one livelingua class for pure conversation. Senor Gamache is about $400 this year, materials not included, with two classes per week, each 1.5 hours and loads of homework via Vista.

[thowell]

Hmmmm think I am leaning towards Destinos. Free is doable!! Looks like even with purchasing the needed textbook and workbook I will still be under $100! Community college would be great but we live about 1 hour from it so by the time I figure in gas and time it doesn't seem so attractive.

[Lori D.]

Hmmmm think I am leaning towards Destinos. Free is doable!! Looks like even with purchasing the needed textbook and workbook I will still be under $100! 

 

Duolingo is also free. :)

 

Be sure to incorporate some weekly live conversation/listening options. Ideas:

- LiveMocha

- hire a local tutor

- involvement in a Spanish-speaking club, group, etc.

- swap English for Spanish with recent immigrant family

- Spanish TV programs (start off with things like Sesame Street in Spanish)

 

 

... Community college would be great but we live about 1 hour from it so by the time I figure in gas and time it doesn't seem so attractive.

 

Totally get that. DSs had to take the city bus 50 minutes one way to get to our community college campus. For a few semesters, bus passes were available and saved a bit of money, but the school dropped that option… :(

 

Buena suerte en sus aventuras en Español! ;) Warmly, Lori D.

[Classical Katharine]

For cobbling together free resources, this woman's site may be helpful. She's a fluent French speaker and teacher from Quebec who is teaching herself Spanish for free. The italki site she mentions sounds useful. Also, the free Foreign Service Institute materials might be worth looking at. I found her when starting in on teaching myself. We have different goals but she is a good source of information.

 

http://www.tobefluent.com/free-online-spanish-resources/

[shadanjem]

We love Ray Leven.  He teaches the AP Spanish with PA Homeschoolers and Spanish 1-5 privately.  This will be DS's 3rd year with him.  I've raved about Mr. Leven.  If you can't find the posts let me know.  It isn't the cheapest option, but my son has learned more than his friends in the brick-and-mortar schools locally. 

[Renaissance Mom]

We've used La Clase Divertida with Senor Gamache for the past 3 years. DS has done very very well with him. I plan to have all my kids take Spanish with him (well unless he retires before we get through them all)

I did Spanish 1 with my dd myself and then had her do Spanish 2 with Sr Gamache. Once she acclimated to his style, she did very well and is enrolled to do Spanish 3 this year. With 2 live classes each week plus occasional outside practice with a native speaker, it is more interaction than any local options we have. I've been very pleased.

[BlessedMom]

Bumping for updates

[catz]

We are using Middlebury Interactive Online with teacher corrections.  This is our 2nd year.  The 4th year is AP prep.  I really think whoever said to have a real teacher is right for corrections.

[happybeachbum]

Pimsleur is ancient, but it does help you to remember.  Same for The Cortina Method

[speedmom4]

I haven't read all the replies so I may be repeating what others have recommended.

 

With my oldest we used Rosetta Stone and it was a total flop. She learned next to nothing about real Soanish. She had decent pronunciation but as the course progressed she just had to guess at the answers.

 

With my second child we used Homeschool Spanish Academy. It was MUCH better than Rosetta Stone but she still never really grasped grammar and vocabulary. She has good pronunciation but even after two years her understanding was quite limited.

 

Now my third and fourth children are in Spanish and we are using a Landry Academy class. It is very traditional in the sense that they use a textbook. It's very similar to the way I learned in high school and college. It is a live class with a teacher who grew up in Ecuador. They have homework and vocabulary to memorize. There are quizlet games and listening activities as well.

 

I'm now a firm believer that to learn a language at the high school level they need grammar work and lots of vocabulary memorization.

 

Just my $0.02!

[JadeOrchidSong]

I did Spanish 1 with my dd myself and then had her do Spanish 2 Sr Gamache. Once she acclimated to his style, she did very well and is enrolled to do Spanish 3 this year. With 2 live classes each week plus occasional outside practice with a native speaker, it is more interaction than any local options we have. I've been very pleased.

Do you mind sharing how you did Spanish 1 at home? I need to do it for my ds13. I am a fast language learner and can teach ds.

[flyingiguana]

Pimsleur put out two more levels in recent years (bringing the total up to 5).  My library finally got them so I'm plowing through that.

 

It's not grammar intensive.  But the repetition of what it does do is VERY helpful.  

 

I found I had to do a couple levels of Pimsleur before I was able to keep up with Destinos when working through them on my own. I wouldn't have gotten that much out of Destinos without the repetitive Pimsleur helping me along.

 

Duolingo is kind of fun, but it's more of a supplement/drill than an actual program.

 

I would also recommend finding a show in Spanish that you like.  There are a number of them on Netflix (and probably other streaming services).  Netflix does subtitles in Spanish.  You can also get an app that slows down video so you can watch it as slow as you need to.  It's really painful at first, but you do tend to pick up more as you go along.  I'm now at the point where I can watch a show at regular speed, but I still need the subtitles (that's a crutch I haven't figured out how to get past).  There are simple children's shows you could start with and then move up to something with more meat to it.  

 

I thought this would never work without heavy duty classes to push me along, but after talking to some foreign students at my college who claim they learned English mostly from watching movies I thought I'd give it a try.  Some of these kids didn't have a whole lot of formal English learning. 

 

I'm watching El Internado on netflix.  There's a bit of nudity but it's pretty tame.  (And it's back on netflix!  Yay!)  I tried Gran Hotel during the El Internado netflix hiatus.  My impression was that the speech was clearer (there are a lot of mumbling teens on El Internado....)  However, it seems to have more adult, um, situations that might not be what many parents want for their teens.

 

I don't get every word.  I don't understand every grammatical construction.  But I am picking up more and more.  And I'm motivated to look up things I don't understand.  The only real danger is that you get into the story and want to find out what happened by power watching.  But I'd have to switch over to English to do that.

 

You could also watch English shows dubbed in Spanish.  One of my kids is currently watching Jessica Jones this way.  It works well because there are long stretches of silence with occasional speaking.  You have time to digest the speaking.  (For myself, I'm not a big fan of the dubbing.  I can understand better if the lips move the right way.  Which is also why I have trouble with animated shows.)

 

There's also Buenos Dias America 

http://www.voanoticias.com/z/537.html

and news in slow spanish

https://www.newsinslowspanish.com/latino/

(neither of which I've personally used, but my daughter really likes Buenos Dias America)

 

And the BBC has some language learning tools as well as news in Spanish.

 

There are tons of Spanish textbooks out there that you can get for pennies.  Just about every one I've looked at has seemed to do an ok job explaining grammar to me.  If you're doing Destinos you might want their actual textbook so the grammar and vocabulary follows the videos.  (The videos, if people don't know, are free online.  At one point, the audio tapes were also free online in a variety of places.)

 

Rosetta Stone was a bust for us.  Both the older version and the newer one.

 

Both my kids tested into 3rd year college Spanish with a combination of Pimsleur and Destinos (when Pimsleur only had 3 levels).  I don't think the bar is very high for these placement tests, but it does give you an idea of what these programs can do.  

 

My younger daughter has excellent pronunciation and can understand a lot of what is said to her.  She just can't rattle off  much in Spanish.  (Her boyfriend is a native Spanish speaker -- that's where I get my assessment of her pronunciation.  However, I don't think he knows exactly how much she understands of his conversations with his family or he might not talk in Spanish to them quite so much in her presence....)

 

(I have no idea how good my older daughter's pronunciation is because she never spoke Spanish.  I don't think it was as good, though.  She just doesn't have as good an ear for language.  And she didn't start listening to Pimsleur CDs when really young.)  

 

But both kids seem to have done ok with reading Spanish and being able to answer multiple choice questions on a placement test with just Pimsleur and Destinos.

 

So, I guess my answer to the question would be that I wouldn't bother with a class.  Unless there's a reputable one that can be done easily and for not a huge amount of money.  I would explore free options first and when I hit a wall I'd look into a class.

[OnMyOwn]

My kids have both used the same providers for the last couple of years and are continuing this year. My son uses Sr. Gamache at La Clase Divertida. Overall, it has been a positive experience for ds. He wanted to continue with Sr. G this year for Spanish 3 because he feels he is really learning Spanish and he likes the teacher. He also enjoys the online work at the Vistas website. At least one mom here on the boards has said their child was able to CLEP out of 12 credits of Spanish after taking all three levels of Sr. G's class. I'm hoping ds will be able to do the same.

 

My dd is continuing on with Ray Leven for Spanish 4. It has been her favorite class over the last couple of years. She enjoys the class meeting on Skype, small class size and the efficiency of the class. The homework only takes her a couple of hours a week, but it is well-thought out, so she feels she is really mastering the language. Ray Leven also teaches AP Spanish through PA Homeschoolers and that was a real draw for us because we wanted a provider that could take her all the way through to the AP level. My dd also gets in extra speaking practice once a week through a Spanish 121 online tutor.

[JadeOrchidSong]

Sr. Gamache is going to add AP Spanish class taught by a native speaker teacher. He will retire from his public school job and will have more time to manage La Clase Divertida.

[OnMyOwn]

Sr. Gamache is going to add AP Spanish class taught by a native speaker teacher. He will retire from his public school job and will have more time to manage La Clase Divertida.

Good for him! When is he planning on making that change?

[JadeOrchidSong]

Good for him! When is he planning on making that change?

Maybe he will retire next year. Not very sure. He told me in mid August in a phone conversation.

[SA Homeschooler]

Ha -- I just cross-posted with you with an ETA on my previous post. ;) I had the same reaction about the cost. However, when you compare with online classes, say through Landry or Potter's School, you're still looking at $300-$500 per semester (each is 0.5 credit), so a total of $600-$1000 for one high school credit of Spanish. That puts Livelingua on the very high end, but not totally out of line, esp. if you're getting private tutoring.

 

And if you take Foreign Language when at an average-cost 4-year university, each unit can run anywhere from $500-$1000, so a 4-unit Spanish could easily run you $2000-$4000 PER SEMESTER...

 

Lori D,

 

That is exactly my though process!!  I spend about $700 per semester w LiveLingua but I think it is a reasonable sum considering it is private one-on-one tutoring.  I also like that the teachers have been very receptive to my requests for non-traditional teaching methods. 

 

I am a native Spanish speaker who took 3 years of formal traditional Spanish instruction in school and found it a miserable experience.  I hated the extreme focus on grammar.  I knew how to speak Spanish without ever having known the grammar rules so this just seemed like a useless exercise to me.  In the same way, I learned English without learning the grammar rules prior to speaking.  For instance, a 4 year old  knows how to speak and forms complete sentences without knowing the grammar rules or being able to identify the adjective or noun.  This is learned through immersion and context.

 

I am very much a believer in context learning for second language acquisition.  So the LiveLingua teacher and my son choose articles, movies, etc in the the target language and then read/watch, translate and discuss them.  She also conducts the entire class in Spanish.  He practices reading and speaking with his dad and me through out the week.  My son really enjoys learning this way!