Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Parenting and Advocacy Foreign Languages

questions - i'm with you in being jealous of the other kids' love of foreign languages! I can only hope. I have slipped into French for fun every once in awhile since DS4 was born, and almost as soon as he could talk, he would say, "mommy, speak english!" It doesn't help that we live in a small midwestern town where everyone speaks English. And I thought he'd finally get excited when he heard people speaking different languages when we were on vacation (especially when some people were speaking papiamento!) But he said, "When I grow up and have to go anywhere, I'm going to speak only English." Sometimes I'm not sure whose kid he is.

But now, thanks to LMOM, i have hope! Because there is something that is called "magic french"! DS is now totally into anything magic. Thanks!

Same thing for my DS - fun works. We need something fun.

fyi, in first grade, DS told the Spanish teacher I have an idea, why don't I teach you English?

ROFL! That's a riot!

Hee-hee! Lately, DS wants to speak pig-Latin.

Y-Whay?

I-hay on't-day ow-knay.

And then there are all the "spells" that the kids picked up from Harry Potter. Hey, maybe they'd like to try Latin...

Good thinking!

questions - i think my DS would get along great with your DS!

Agreed!

My dd grew up bilingual (English/Spanish) and is a great translator. Since day one I would speak to her in English and than repeat the same thing in Spanish. I just wished I knew a third language. Her school offers French, Latin, Spanish and I believe we will be getting Chinese next year, but not until middle school (6th grade). The only option for lower school is Spanish. She is learning how to write Spanish now.

My XH's new wife is German. I recently hinted that maybe she could teach her German. We will see where that goes...

When my nephew was a little boy they moved to a neighborhood that was predominantly chinese. He had to either learn chinese quickly or not have any friends. Before long he was fluent in Chinese. I think this is the best way to learn a language.