Need Advice - use same DVD series if doing 3 different languages?

[TheyCan]

I'm hoping to teach my son Spanish, French, and Chinese (Spanish fluently and at least introduce the other two).  I currently own Little Pim in Spanish (love it) and French (hasn't arrived yet).  For learning Chinese - wouldn't it be mega Little Pim overload if he watched it in Chinese at well??  or would having the super familar format be beneficial?  If I change it up, I'm considering using Wink to Learn.  Any advice??  Thank you!!!   

[Nikita]

I think having little pim in the 3 languages is great, for the understanding of the meaning. But dont just rely on one series...use a variety of dvds, cds etc, and keep adding. You dont want your child getting bored! Look for kids dvds that have other language options on the same disc. anything from Pooh bear, Dora through to Chitty Chitty Bang Bang will likely have at least one of the languages you're interested in. Just choose that option with your remote. And you might find some have subtitles in those languages.

[aangeles]

Hi,

I am trying to teach my daughter Chinese, French, and Spanish as well. Chinese - to speak, read, and write. French and Spanish - to familiarize her with other languages. I am using Little Pim in French and Spanish as well as a ton of music CDs and the GD picture dictionaries (which introduces vocabulary in the form of bits in 5 different languages). I alternate teaching French and Spanish on a weekly basis. So for example, if it is French week, she watches 1-2 episodes of Little Pim French a day, listens to French music and rhymes in the car, and looks at her GD bits in French. And same for Spanish the next week. And like Nikita suggested, I also have children's shows/cartoons with different language options that I let her watch in the language of the week. Eventually I hope to introduce more languages this way if she continues to enjoy them like she does now.

For Chinese, I decided not to use Little Pim since I want her to learn traditional characters. I started her on Baby Learns Chinese which suits my purposes perfectly. It has an option to show traditional characters plus I feel that it is more effective in teaching actual reading rather than just conversational Chinese. I supplement the video by using the included flashcards Doman style and, so far, have succeeded in teaching my 15 month old to read about 20 Chinese terms (which may be made up of 1 or more characters). After she is through with all the available Baby Learns Chinese videos, I am planning to start her on Wink to Learn. Since my emphasis is more on Chinese, I try to teach Chinese every day. 

I realize that everybody has their own priorities as to what languages to emphasize more so what I am doing may not be applicable to everyone. I am also interested in reading about the different methods other people are using to introduce non-native languages to their kids. Comments or recommendations, anyone?

[aangeles]

After re-reading my post, I realized that I didn't answer your question. I think that having the same material in different languages is beneficial particularly for the non-native languages since your child will not be hearing these languages in everyday conversation. I think it will help him grasp the context faster. That was why I chose Little Pim for both French and Spanish.

[TheyCan]

Thank you so much for your responses!  That's makes a lot of sense to have repetition and to change it up!  It just means more money to buy everything...but I suppose that's expected with taking up the task of teaching several languages.


Aangeles - That's interesting that you switch between Spanish and French each week!  I think I've only read about people changing the langage based on the day (ex - Spanish on Monday and Wedesday, French on Tuesday and Friday), but I think I like the idea of doing it by the week much better - if only to keep it straight for myself!  It would also makes using a set of bits easier.  In addition, it would solve the problem of Little Pim overload .  Similar to you, I think I might do Spanish everyday and do either French or Chinese based on the week.  I just hope there's no harm in going a full week without being exposed to the language.  I'm a bit nervous about the time gap.  Is your child able to retain everything from two weeks before? 

I love this forum because of all the support from others with the same goals!

[patience]

Spanish, French and Chinese are three of the languages I am also teaching my son as well. There are three parts to the dvd series in each languages so for now I show him part 1 in spanish, part 2 in french and part 3 in chinese and after we finish with those I plan to rotate until we have completes all the parts. I agree that having other language dvds is good to have as well to give your little one a variety of language exposure.

[Skylark]

I think having the same programs in a few different languages is really good.

They use that method in Doman Institute from what I understand, using the same picture disctionaries in different languages. I do agree with Nikita, variety in programs and materials is an essential part.

What I found helpful asset is having engaging action songs, in different languages, -- the same song done in 2, 3, 4 different languages.

There is a lot written on how melodies and rhymes can aid in learning and memorisation. So having the same songs in different languages is a logical step. We started doing it, and we using very simple children music videos, with fun engaging songs, the songs are available in 4 languages ( we can choose from menu), -- spanish, english, portugese and french. For now we do English and Spanish.  I have most of the same songs professionally done also in two other languages that my daughter is learning, -- mandarin and russian. So even though they are not dubbed on the videos, I let her listen to them at her play times ( after all I do not have her watching videos for long anyways, and she does like having upbeat children music on the background as she plays), so this turning out to be a relaxed and engaging way to have an additional fun introduction of quite a large vocabulary from all these languages through songs.

In a few weeks, I am also planning to put some of the key words and couplets from these children music videos and songs into LR, and that can enhance our learning...

So this is just another additional way I found that works for us... Hope this idea is a help..

[aangeles]

Hi Skylark,

Thanks for the tips. I have been letting my daughter listen to music CDs but not the same song in different languages. Can you tell me where I can get the music video in 4 languages that you are using? Thanks!

[Mary M]

very good tips! maybe me as the parent can finally learn a another language with my boo

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