Languages have a formula to understand. We study the formulas and structures, which is important, but here is where we get stuck. We focus on the minute details of the formula
They say math doesn’t lie, meaning your equation needs to be exact for the math to work! Languages are similiar but there is a space for grace too.
My husband is a timber framer, and his math qualifications are vital. You can’t be a 16th off or something like that. Precision is needed while cutting joinery for a timber frame. Nick’s timber framing has zero space for interpretation. Will this timber frame support the structural load? YES OR NO?
You see, languages are like math but elevated; they allow space for error and imperfection. The objective is getting a message across, to communicate meaning but precision, unless you work at the UN and it's very crucial. We teach children languages early, so they fall in the love with them and continue to have them as a companion in life.
Languages aren't they aren't so black and white, errors are welcome.
Did your high school language class feel like an algebra class with all the formula calculations, verb charts, and agreement rules? Chinese might be easier than you think, read our post on it - it doesn't have all those complicated formulas. Do you know what I mean?
And let's not forget those dreaded verb charts. While they help organize language structure, they don't necessarily aid in communication.
Many of my students have mastered verb conjugation formulas, but struggle to answer simple questions. It's like there's a glitch in the system. At our core, we want to inspire children to love learning languages by making it enjoyable and accessible.
Engaging children in activities they already love, such as drawing, dancing, scavenger hunts, coloring, and reading stories, is a great way to introduce them to different sounds and cultures. Do you already do all of these things? That's perfect! It's an effective method to expose your little one to new experiences.
Have you ever thought about learning a new language through drawing?
You may be hesitant, but let me explain.
We once tried to follow a Spanish-speaking artist on YouTube, but it wasn't very effective. The phrases they taught were not helpful for kids who didn't know any Spanish.I had to go back to the drawing board on how to make language learning more inclusive of different learning styles.
It's all about the approach, like teaching verbs through verb charts in a math class. How much can you acquire in a language from remembering verb endings?
Now, our drawing activities are attached to short stories with a teacher video that speaks slowly and leaves space for the child to repeat! We call it StoryDraw!
The kiddos hear it, speak it, write it, draw it!
Kiddos are so proud of their drawing, it makes the learning process more memorable. The stories are bitesize designed for kiddos to repeat and tell the story!
I love how we tackle and approach grammar for our little language learners. I think it's better to focus on learning the language in a more natural way, without overwhelming kids with all the grammar rules at once.
After all, kids might not even understand what verb tables are until they have more experience with the language. We’ve created our Decode It, using symbols for parts of speech.
Try it out! Which language will your kiddo learn with us? Spanish, French, Italian, Japanese, Chinese? Next on our language offering is German! Stay tuned.
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