Homeschooling in a different language of that from the culture we live in?

Question

Lets say you are immigrant, or son/daugther of immigrants and you want to homeschool your children. You speak both languages (that from your original culture and English), but feel more comfortable using your native language to explain things.

Your children speak and understand well both languages too, they just feel more comfortable reading and watching videos in English.

What do you suggest? Science, Math, Social studies, values and philosophy in your native language and Literature, grammar, composition in English?

What about their needs to go to College/University?

Do you think with alternative activities such as field trips, concerts, workshops and meetings is enough for them to grow their English vocabulary too?

Does anyone have this same situation? Know experiences? Books? Groups?

Answer 1

¿por que veo tus preguntas en ingles??? Besitos...

Answer 2

immersion is good for any young child, but the same applies to english, both must be fostered and different techniques can be used. I think that college is important, but that choice should ultimately be left to the child, never forced, they have to want to do it to get the most from it.

I dont think that you should rely only on videos and field trips for their english, but it is a good start.

like you said you could teach certain subjects in your native tongue and others in english, I would even teach grammar/compostition in both languages for added understanding

good luck

Answer 3

There's nothing wrong with teaching in more than one language. Being home-educated in our family means doing exactly this, lol.

Also many of the best schools here are now teaching more and more of their curriculum in Mandarin, Cantonese etc and not in English.

Similarly it is not uncommon in the city for Anglo-Saxon/European kids to begin such a bi-lingual education (often in English & Japanese) on starting Kindy.

Answer 4

We are sort of in that situation, except that we aren't immigrants. Home language is French; the society around us is English. Our homeschooling, at the present time, is only in French, except for whatever English work they choose to do. There is so much English around us that my kids are bilingual--and I've never really spoken to them in English.

Your plan sounds find, but don't neglect doing literature, grammar and composition in your native tongue as well. Knowing two languages is such a good thing!! In the province I live in, they are trying to make it a requirement for a high school diploma that you've studied a 2nd language; they've already almost made it a requirement that ALL students in grades 4 and up study a second language.

Yes, it means a little more time on schooling, and yes, it means making sure there are enough English-language activities so the kids can function in the society around them. When they hit high school, then you might look at a more bilingual or heavily English approach so that they can get into college. However, there are students here who do all their education in French, except for English lit/composition, and they do just fine doing only English classes in university.

Answer 5

I think it is a benefit to the child to instruct in a foreugn language.  from 0-12, the child can pick up a native accent and plus, foreign language, like German, Spanish, etc. helps the child to understand English Grammar.  And vocabulary in English becomes better.  

In Asian languages/African/Semetic, it is also benefitial.

It also helps the child develop an appreciation and understanding for other cultures and people.

In a global society, this is a MUST.  

Foreign instruction also helps in thinking.  It helps math/sciences English, and other areas of learning.

I wish you all the best!! :)