Children are very receptive language learners because the neurological and cultural gateways that close up as we get older are still wide open in young learners. Not only do they have an easier time learning, but, according to Sheryl Olinsky Borg of Berlitz Books, acquiring a second language has benefits that extend well beyond the language itself--intellectual growth, enhanced mental development, flexibility in thinking, a better ear for listening, and improved understanding of the child's native language. Recognizing these advantages, many parents are seeking creative ways to help their children learn a second language, particularly since only a small percentage of elementary schools offer language education. Here we look at some of the products that will thrill parents almost as much as the children for whom they are intended.
Penton Overseas distributes several programs that stand out in the language learning arena, including a kids' version of the LEARN IN YOUR CAR series, a LINGUAFUN CD and card game, and even a TEACH YOUR BABY in Spanish, French, Italian, and German. LYRIC LANGUAGE is Penton Overseas' own language audio series for children. It uses music so effectively that even a single listen to the 35-minute tape or CD will have your child thinking--and singing--in a new language for weeks. Decorated with illustrations from Bil Keane's "Family Circus" comic strip, each of the programs has an accompanying lyrics book and contains 10 or 11 songs introduced and performed by youngsters in English and in the target language. The switch between languages is made so frequently that children are likely to find themselves saying and understanding the new language before they realize what they're doing. LYRIC LANGUAGE is available in French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish, and Swedish.
TEACH ME TAPES, published independently and distributed by Penton, is a series of CDs and cassettes developed by Judy Mahoney to help younger children become comfortable with a new language. Numbers, the alphabet, days of the week, and everyday phrases are presented though songs, stories, and games. Children sing songs like "The more We Get Together," "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes," and "Oh Susanna," translated into the target language, as well as songs native to the target language, such as "Alouette" and "Frere Jacques" (on Teach Me French), "La Bamba" and "La Cucaracha" (on Teach Me Spanish), and "Sakura Sakura" (on Teach Me Japanese). Teach Me Tapes are recorded on cassette and CD, and come with a 20-page coloring book containing lyrics. TEACH ME. . . and the follow-up TEACH ME MORE. . . programs are available in French, Japanese, Spanish, German, Hebrew, Russian, Italian, Chinese, Korean, and English. A third series, titled "Teach Me Even More. . ." has been released in French and Spanish.
BERLITZ KIDS' LANGUAGE PACK. "Kids love anything with a handle," we were told by Sheryl Olinsky Borg of Berlitz Books. So their newest product for children is designed to look like a suitcase. The KIDS' LANGUAGE PACK is designed around a series of children's books called "Adventures With Nicholas," available in French, Italian, German, Spanish and Ingles (English for Spanish speakers). "We have three stories for each of the languages, 'The Missing Cat,' 'A Visit to Grandma,' and 'The Five Crayons.'" All the stories feature a polyglot dog named Nicholas who travels around with his family and friends. The books are written in the target language, with English translation provided below in a smaller typeface. Each picture book comes with a cassette containing the story and additional songs. One "Adventure With Nicholas" book is bundled in each Language Pack, along with a CD version of that story, flashcards, a Kids' Club certificate, a picture dictionary, and a copy of the 216-page book Help Your Child with a Foreign Language by Opal Dunn. Best of all, says Olinsky Borg, "when they're done learning, they can pile everything back into the suitcase and close it up. Parents are very happy about that."
POWER-GLIDE. When we asked Kenneth Tomkins of Seattle's MultiLingual Books about audios that help children learn a new language, he didn't have to think hard: "We like Power-Glide. Their products are especially popular with home schoolers, but all around, it's our favorite children's program." Power-Glide courses are available for elementary age children in Spanish, German, French, and Latin. Middle school, high school, and adult level courses are available in all the above as well as Russian and Japanese. Robert Blair, who developed the program and serves as narrator-host, put together an integrated approach using over 25 linguistic methodologies. "From the beginning," Blair says, "the students are involved in an adventure story and activities that are like a fun game to them. Thus they enjoy their studies and are highly motivated to continue the learning." One of the strategies used on the Power-Glide courses is the Diglot Weave. Put simply, Diglot Weave involves telling a story in two languages. "Students start with familiar stories in their own language and gradually transition word by word, into the other language. The context provides the meaning and thus makes the learning an almost effortless, natural process." The developers of Power-Glide have worked closely with school systems, in order that coursework and exams can qualify for school credit.--Steven E. Steinbock
Steven Steinbock is a contributing editor for AudioFile. He can read and speak English, Spanish, and Hebrew and is working on Japanese.
Illustration by Debra Spina Dixon/Getty Images, Inc.
[To read more about language learning and audiobooks, see the feature "Lost--and Found--in Translation" in the February/March issue of AudioFile. Subscribe Now! ]
April/May 2004
(c)2004 AudioFile Publications, Inc.
