Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Recommended Resources French online resource for the summer?

Hi. DS11 is going to a new school in September where most of intake will have had basic French lessons already. There are a couple of Intro to French mornings that the school is putting on to help deal with the issue, but I was wondering if anyone here can recommend an online course that could set him up properly. Thanks

Is it possible to find someone to tutor him in person? It's so much easier to learn a language face-to-face, as opposed to on a screen.

The only computer-based system I've heard recommended is the Rosetta Stone one, but I think that's pretty expensive.

You know, that might just be the answer Epoh. Not sure why I hadn't thought of it before. The only downside I can think is only hearing French once a week but perhaps the tutor can compensate for this in some way. Thanks for the idea.

This University of Texas online course is free and appears to be pretty basic:

http://www.laits.utexas.edu/fi/home

I plan on using it with DD14 this summer. She was in an immersion program from Pre-K through 2nd grade, but she hasn't kept up with her French.

A tutor is also a good idea. Are there any older kids at his new school that could help? My eldest, DD16, is fluent and DD14 sometimes helps her younger sister (DD7) with her homework (DD7 is still in the immersion school).

The University of Texas has a free online "course" that appears to be pretty basic:

http://www.laits.utexas.edu/fi/home

I am going to have DD14 go through this course over the summer. She plans to take French Honors 2 in 9th grade next year, though she took Spanish in middle school (will continue with Spanish in HS). She was in an immersion school from Pre-K through 2nd, though she has not kept up with her French.

A tutor is a good idea. Perhaps there is an older kid at the new school that could tutor? My eldest, DD16, is fluent and can help DD14. It also helps DD14 when she assists her little sister (DD7) with homework (DD7 still attends the immersion school).

Thanks Epoh. You are absolutely right. I'm on to it: )

I keep trying to post here, but it won't show up...maybe the fourth time will work.

The University of Texas has a free online "course" that is fairly basic:

http://www.laits.utexas.edu/fi/home

I plan on having my DD14 use this online resource over the summer. She will take French 2 Honors in 9th grade, and she hasn't kept up with her French since she attended an immersion school from Pre-K through 2nd.

A tutor is a great idea too. Maybe an older kid at the new school can help? My eldest, DD16, is fluent and can help DD14. Also, her little sister, DD7, still attends the immersion school, and DD14 sometimes helps with her homework.

Good luck! I loved learning french!

Check with your local library. My library offers Mango Languages and Muzzy Languages online free of charge to residents. So many of the homeschoolers in our community are astounded to find this!

Have you tried LiveMocha at all (http://www.livemocha.com/)? It is free if you are willing to review other people's English submissions, which gives you points to learn the language of your choice and then native speakers of that language review your written and spoken submissions earning points themselves.