Foreign Languages for Kids by Kids  (Pe-K +)

Successful, award-winning language learning program called “Foreign Languages for Kids by Kids®” (FLK).

If I had to rate my language skills in Spanish on a scale from 1-10, I’d give myself a 4.  I am decent at reading and understanding the Spanish language (I mean, I did take six quarters of Spanish as an undergrad and lived in Malaga, Spain for a semester…..) but after years of not really ‘speaking’ it on a daily basis, my skills are super rusty.  Like embarrassingly so that I will only speak it if necessary (which has been on a few occasions in Austin.)

  This was my first trip to Spain as a teen.  Sorry for the horrible quality of ze disposable camera and clothes that I assume got at some charity thing.  I also love my high school notes in my little photo album which say things like, “Me in Some Castle in Spain!  Cool!”  It really helped explain the trip for me years later…not!  Ha!

How do you keep up?

I have lived in Austin for a few years and know that Spanish is used all the time there as it is here now in the Washington, D.C. area where this program was created! When my children were younger, I thought that living in Austin, with all its diversity, I would have no problem finding quality language programs for children. I was wrong. I am always on the hunt for cool kids products and language and it makes me feel hopeful that no matter where you live, you can learn a second language!

Foreign Language for Kids created the video series to help parents who don’t speak Spanish themselves but who felt it was important to introduce the language in their child’s early years.  In Austin, Spanish is spoken frequently in our city and while immersion certainly helps, it is also good to try and teach languages in a fun way at home.  It still is hard for kids to pick up on things like a second language unless it is spoken in the home and Foreign Language for Kids created this video series because they want children to become excited about learning Spanish and to experience success with it so that they want to continue learning year after year.

I tried many classes and products and found that they did little to effectively teach my children and even less to spark an interest in learning or knowing Spanish. We look for related language programs that will help Brooke learn Spanish and this video series was such a successful experience to keep Brooke’s interest and continue learning year after year.  I think it has a LOT to do with kids on the video speaking Spanish to your child and the nice way they explain items (in Spanish) so that those who aren’t able to speak the language to your child, you can at least have a teacher a la the video to do that for you!  Brilliant!

  Brooke LOVES Spain, yet has never left the USA yet.  

Check it out!  The second volume DVD is brand new and hasn’t even been put up on the site or on Amazon yet. Each volume will retail individually for $29.99 and the 2-Volume Set will retail for $49.99.  For Language for Kids by Kids will also offer memberships for online viewing of the videos in a slightly different format.

Psst!  Foreign Language for Kids also has a board game teaching different languages for ages 7+.  Check it out!

The Foreign Languages for Kids by Kids series

The Foreign Languages for Kids by Kids series will eventually contain SEVEN videos. We have now completed the first two which are included on DVDs, Volumes 1 and 2, as well as online in a format of 24 lessons.  There were parts of the workbook that were a little too advanced for a preschooler, but there were certainly many sections that we enjoyed or I modified for teaching purposes.  There are some foreign language videos for very young children and others for older children and adults, like Rosetta Stone, but the group that FLK is geared toward is the more lacking high quality programs for Elementary School age children. FLK was created to provide a fun and effective program for this group of kids. I really love how Foreign Languages for Kids tied in the different countries with their fun cultural section.

I also loved that added touch of the multi-lingual, and adorable Squisher, the international inchworm.  In addition to the videos, there are also workbooks, both interactive-digital and hard copy versions, and online games to create a broader curriculum for teachers and homeschool parents.  The teaching philosophy behind the videos is that folks remember vivid images, stories and what is funny.

We are planning on completing the rest as they come out later this summer and I am SO CURIOUS as to how much my preschooler will retain at that time.  To Be Determined!  In the interim, this has proven to be a great way for kids to focus attention on secondary language skills!  Hey, we might be using our Spanish skills when visiting ‘Papa’ (Bob’s dad) in Argentina sooner than we had ever thought!

Retention!  Retention!  Retention!  You know the old saying, “if you don’t use if, you’ll lose it!”?  Well, it is TRUE.  As far as retention for Brooke, it is critical that she watches the videos on a consistent basis initially. With foreign language, repetition is key. While the same words will be used in the videos, they are used in a variety of different real life situations so that the videos will hopefully remain interesting and not seem repetitious, as with many foreign language videos.  The videos are short so they don’t take a lot of time to watch and your child can learn the series well.  Go back from time to time with your child to watch them from time to time to keep the vocabulary fresh.  There are also online quizzes that accompany the videos that help with retention. Nice!

Award-Winning!  Dr. Toy’s Top 10 Educational Products (2013); Media of the Year, Creative Child (2013); and the National Parenting Foundation Seal of Approval (2013) and now Dr. Toy’s Best Vacation Products (2014).

Check it out!  Foreign Language for Kids has a game available through their website and Amazon.com called Dice Off.  Check it out at the link here.

Foreign Languages for Kids by Kids  (Pe-K +)

www.foreignlanguagesforkids.com

List Price: $ 49.99 (2-Volume Set) – $29.99 Each