Developing Second Language Skills While Homeschooling in English

[author][author_info]Flossie Epley has been with TEAM since 1981, and is founder/director of School Support Services (SSS) at Christian Academy in Japan (CAJ). For 30 years SSS has offered consultancy, resources, and programs to home schoolers and schools affiliated with CAJ in Japan. Flossie and her husband Russ have two adult children and one grandchild.[/author_info] [/author]

Flossie wrote this wonderful article for the families that she serves in Japan. While the Japanese-specific resources may not apply in your situation, they may give you ideas for supporting your homeschooling families in their language learning. Enjoy!

N and A have a one-year-old baby. They are thinking ahead and wrote, “At the moment we are hoping to homeschool but also want him to learn Japanese well and make friends!” They wonder if it’s possible to homeschool in English and still learn Japanese. The answer is, “Yes!”

When you make a conscious effort to not mix languages as you converse, your child has the opportunity to develop a strong language base that sets the stage for adding additional languages. Here are some ideas of ways to teach your child Japanese while keeping English as your home language.

Listening Skills

• PREVIEW–Read famous Japanese fairy tales online in English first. Go over some key vocabulary words and then read it in Japanese. Your local library should have these famous stories.

http://www.japanippon.com/fairytales/index.htm

• LOW STRESS LISTENING–Watch Japanese TV programs as a family. Two recommended programs about everyday life in Japan–Chibi Maruko Chan & Sazae San are aired Sunday nights at 6:00 and 6:30 PM respectively. You’ll learn about Japanese culture and boost your listening skills too. They even provide fodder for interesting family discussions.

• COMBINING VISUAL & AUDITORY–Listen to children’s audio books while following along with the text in the corresponding picture book.

• REAL LIFE LISTENING–Get involved in Sunday School, a local swim club, soccer team, kendo club, or some other group activity where your child will hear Japanese even if he doesn’t attend Japanese school. Invite Japanese into your home and involve children in ministry.

Speaking Skills

• PUPPETS–If your child is reluctant to speak Japanese, sometimes it helps to let him have his puppet do the talking.

• ROLE PLAY–Role play at home and then go out and try your new skill.

• SING–Buy a children’s songbook and CD. Learn the songs together.

• COMBINE SINGING & VISUAL–Sing Japanese Praise Songs together. These DVDs are terrific. http://l4jp.com/en/products/japan-video-praise-1.html#buy

• USE COLOR–Categorize vocabulary cards by color (i.e. blue for words used at kendo club, yellow for food words, red for words at Sunday School, etc.). The little cards held together with a ring work well for this.

• CLUES–Write mnemonic clues for new vocabulary

• LEARN SOMETHING SIMPLE & USE IT–Teach your child a simple phrase and go out and use it. The first sentence I remember learning in Japanese was, “Yonde kudasai” as I helped my Dad pass out tracts as a little kid.

Reading Skills

• SONGS–www.genkiJapan.net has songs and games for learning hiragana, katakana, and common kanji.

• GAMES–Play board games in Japanese. I especially love Japanese Monopoly. It’s a great way to learn the kanji for major cities in Japan.

• READ ALOUD–Some kids that are reluctant to read aloud will read to a favorite stuffed animal.

Writing Skills

• COPYWORK & DICTATION– These are valuable in Japanese just like they are in English. To learn the merits of these techniques check out these websites:

Copywork– http://wonder.riverwillow.com.au/home_education/english/copywork.htm

Dictation– http://www.eclectichomeschool.org/articles/article.asp?articleid=423

• TEXTURE–Hundred yen stores sell foam hiragana letters. If your child runs his finger over the kana while saying it aloud, he’ll feel, see, and hear all at the same time.

• DIARY–Keep a diary in Japanese either individually or as a family taking turns writing the entries. Initially your child may need to speak his thoughts in English. Teach him how to write a key word in Japanese and work up to writing complete sentences gradually.

Miscellaneous Thoughts

• INTERESTS–Find out what interests your child and read books together about that subject. Learning content through Japanese is language learning at its best. If your child likes trains, check out a book on trains. Even if he can’t read all the words, if he learned a few key words, his vocabulary would be enriched. The fact that it interests him helps the words stick.

• TUTOR–If you don’t know of a competent tutor in your area, you might want to try Skype language lessons with LCM Japan (Language & Culture for Ministry in Japan). Two of our SSS students take lessons with them. http://www.landislifeline.com/LCM_Japan/LCM_Japan.html

• DON’T TEACH TOO MUCH TOO FAST–Be careful not to overload your child with too many new vocabulary words or grammar rules at a time. Review, review, and review again.

© 2012-2023 PACE
All rights reserved