Friday, May 10, 2013

Croghan Language Academy is moving!!! Wait. I thought you were online?



Yes, we ARE an online Spanish learning academy.  However, our business address will very soon be located in Grand Island, Nebraska. So what does this change if you are taking online classes with CLA, or would like to in the future?  Nothing!  But if you live in Grand Island there will soon be a local Spanish academy offering classes in a bricks-and-mortar environment (i.e. traditional classroom, not online).



The most recent U.S. Census figures for Grand Island estimate the 2011 total population to be 49,239.  This makes Grand Island the third largest city in the state of Nebraska, hence it's long standing nickname:  The Third City.  In 2010, the population of "White persons" in Grand Island was at 80%, the population of "Persons of Hispanic or Latino origin" was 26.7%.  There are two public school systems:  Grand Island Public Schools ("more than 8,000 students"), and Northwest Public Schools (at 1745 total students as of September, 2012).  Concerning the bigger of the two, GIPS, during the 2011-2012 school year, Hispanics comprised 46% of the total student population (White students accounted for 47%).  Through hearsay, I am aware that the Hispanic population is only growing in Grand Island.  Seems like a pretty good place to position a local Spanish language academy.  

Grand Island happens to be mi ciudad natal... my hometown.  I am looking forward to coming HOME!  I graduated from Northwest High School, and taught Spanish at Grand Island Senior High for three years.  So I truly feel I am both a Viking and and Islander!  (Sorry Crusaders.)  You can learn more about me here and I invite you to read student testimonials.  

If you or your company would be interested in Spanish classes to help you survive (or even thrive), please contact Krista via email to discuss your needs.  Our Fall 2013 schedule is now being organized!  Possibilities include, but are not limited to:
  • Spanish for banking professionals
  • Spanish for Realtors
  • Spanish for health care professionals
  • Spanish for Missional preparation
  • Spanish for restaurants
  • Spanish for law enforcement
  • Spanish for landlords
  • Spanish for housekeeping

I'm looking forward to serving the Spanish language-learning needs of Grand Island!



Census information retrieved from:  http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/31/3119595.html

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Learning Spanish colors, organically



In response to anybody who questions how early is too early to start learning a second language:  It can NEVER be too early!  In fact, the earlier the better.  Having taught students all the way from kindergarten through adults, I can tell you that anxiety levels (about the process of learning a language) are different depending on the age of the student.  The older a student, the more anxiety, stress and difficulty.  The younger the student, they barely realize they are learning something different or new.  Because it is ALL new to them!

Early Childhood news has a great article that talks about different ways of learning a foreign language including discussion about how language acquisition is easier for youngsters.  The U.S. has it all wrong in waiting to teach foreign languages until high school.  Now, there are many reasons for that, and that is a separate blog for another time.  But what inspired me in this article was the number of examples given for how students can naturally hone in on a second language through a more natural process, much like we learn our first language.  Howard Gardner and his Theory of Multiple Intelligences (1983 and 1989) are appropriately referenced in the article, supporting that we all have different learning styles, stronger in some, weaker in others.  So here are my "Gardner-inspired" suggestions for helping students learn colors vocabulary.  Most of them are ways to build the Spanish language into your life as it already exists, making the process much more natural and sensible.

Linguistic Intelligence:  Using written and spoken language to learn.  Here is a listening exercise for identifying colors.  Color-by-numbers have students reading the words at an elementary level.  "Listen and click" is a great way to practice the colors by hearing and reading the questions.  Then, El Arco Iris is an interactive story for students to listen and read and identify the colors of the rainbow.

Logical-Mathematical Intelligence:  Have students learn the colors in order of the rainbow.  Or associate numbers with colors:  If 2 = rojo and 3 = amarillo, what color would 2 + 3 = ?  ¡Anaranjado!   Use geometrical shapes (cubes, pyramids, cylinders) with Play-doh... have them create shapes in certain colors.  Use LEGOs to build numbers out of certain colors (also a Kinesthetic learning exercise!) and have students do the math problems like above.

Musical Intelligence:  Students learn and repeat a song, or even better... create one themselves!  Those who play instruments can associate a color term with a certain note.  Call out the colors, they play those notes.  Or vice versa, play the note and call out the associated colors.

Visual-Spatial Intelligence:  Wordle is a fabulous site to make word clouds that are enticing for visual learners.  Take the Wordle at the top of this blog (or go make your own), then print and color the words accordingly.  The position of these words is something that students can visualize spatially as they're recalling vocabulary.

Body-Kinesthetic Intelligence:  Color label items in your house.  These language cards can be used to cut apart, spread out and use as a matching or memory game.  Or, how about color tag in Spanish?  Go to the grocery store and call out a color and have kids find something that color and put it in the cart.  Make a Spanish rainbow cake.  The possibilities are endless, since colors are everywhere!



Social Intelligence:  Use the language cards socially.  Have a parent/mentor draw a card from a pile, say the color in Spanish and with crayons the student colors with that color.  Then switch roles so the student becomes "mentor."  For larger groups, give each a multi-colored toy.  Students partner with each other to tell what colors their toy is.  They trade toys before moving on to find another partner.        

Introspective Intelligence:  Student practices with the language cards alone, quietly.  Students can make two piles:  one pile they've mastered, the other they haven't so they know to where to shift focus.  The cards can be laminated and stored away in labeled drawers so they can be easily retrieved later.

Naturalistic Intelligence:  This is about how students use nature as a learning process.  Grow a garden in the summer and add the Spanish colors on the vegetation markers:  carrots (zanahorias):  anaranjado  peas (guisantes):  verde    roses (rosas):  rosado.  Another idea:  do a scavenger hunt, having students find something in nature of each different color.  Or play I Spy at the beach!  In Spanish, the game starts as a popular rhyme:
Veo, veo.  (I spy.)
¿Qué ves?  (What do you spy?)
Una cosita.  (A little thing.)
¿Y qué cosita es?  (What is it?)
"Veo algo morado..."  (I spy something purple...)

Bottom line:  Osmotically surround yourself with the language!




Wednesday, May 1, 2013

"Young Amigos" sneak peak at the future

I'm feeling reflective tonight.  A lot has transpired in less than a year's time.  October 1, 2012 I started delivering my first online Young Amigos class, appropriate for grades K-6.  This is a multi-level program, complete with 8 levels of 10-week classes.  Well, not quite all 8 levels are complete.  I have successfully taught and delivered 3 levels of classes.  And with a current session running now, I have two more under-development... just barely staying ahead of the students in those courses.  :)  It has been a busy year.  And I'm loving it.

We are getting ready to spend the summer at our little oasis.  I can't wait.  Lots of positive, creative energy out there!


I have been very blessed to get to teach wonderful families, many of whom have given me precious constructive feedback to help me improve the courses.  +Trish Corlew and +Leann Warren have been instrumental in this success, among others with whom I don't have a G+ connection (yet).

Trish has three awesome sons.  I teach her older two in my high school Descubre class, her youngest is in his 3rd session of Young Amigos with me.  She has provided me incredibly beneficial feedback after experiencing the courses firsthand and has even agreed to come on board with Croghan Language Academy to help me put some cool ideas into practice.  You should check out her blog, Live and Learn Farm.  It is creative, insightful and thought-provoking... love it!

I got to meet Leann at Cincinnati Great Homeschool Convention.  Actually, she is a friend of Trish's who entered one of my raffles for a free class... and WON!  She produces a fabulous blog called Montessori Tidbits.  Among other things, she has helped me see how I can use Google+ as an extension of my courses, potentially use Hangouts to offer interaction and provide a social place to support homeschool Spanish students.  Oh, and Pinterest.  She has helped me organize CLA boards better as well!  :)

Most importantly, +John Croghan is my wonderful husband.  He is a musician and he will be coming on board with CLA as a creative consultant.  I want my own music, so he will be writing, performing and producing the recordings.  I look forward to starting this process in the fall!  Music can be such a powerful learning mechanism if it is done well.  I have the right guy for the job!  :)



(I'm a lucky gal!)


Other things to look forward to in future Young Amigos classes:

  • A curriculum change.  The current classes use a 3rd party curriculum.  While approximately 75% of the course material is my own, I do currently rely on a workbook and online resource center that is not mine.  I will be creating my own work/textbook and replacing the online resource center with my own activities as well.  Additionally, I want to change up the order of presentation on some key concepts, to make for an improved learning experience.
  • As mentioned, my own MÚSICA!
  • More manipulatives for hands-on learning.
  • I already offer two models of classes, one of them offering a weekly intensive live class meeting.  In addition, I plan to offer a free Google+ Hangout for all enrolled students.  We will do a little storytime or "Canta con Juan," Sing with John!
  • More course offerings!  I am considering developing a "Spanish for Missionaries" online course.  Spanish Praise Music would be a part of this.  
  • Co-op or large group discounts.
What do you think?  I would love to hear any thoughts you have about these ideas.  Otherwise, onward and upward... ¡Hasta pronto!

Friday, April 12, 2013

Co-op specials!



True story.  John and I went to our very first homeschool convention as vendors, and we just happen to go to the biggest convention in the country!  Cincinnati was wonderful!!!  And nothing like starting out bigger than big, right?

On Friday of the convention, we were doing our thing, greeting people as they walked by.  One mother briefly stopped and said, "are your classes online?"  I said, "yes."  She said, "Oh, OK.  I'm looking for something for our co-op," and continued walking.  My wheels started spinning.  Why couldn't I help out a co-op by teaching it's members Spanish in an online format?  Is it possible?  Is it logistical?  Is it convenient? YES!!!!!

I had to get through the rest of the busy weekend before I could get home and start to put some ideas on paper.  So here is the announcement:  Croghan Language Academy offers AWESOME deals for co-ops!!!  There isn't a lot of information on my site because I don't want to define this offering too much.  This is relatively flexible, I am glad to work with your co-op to find a solution for your Spanish class needs.  Is your co-op time too busy already?  No problem, just sign up together and you can take the classes whenever best suits each family!  Would you like to set up a live meeting with me for your co-op during your scheduled time together?  Great, you just need computers or perhaps one computer with a projector and screen.  Does your co-op have a variety of ages, therefore a variety of different levels needed?  Fantastic, I offer online Spanish classes all the way from K to 12!

Please contact me at croghanlanguageacademy@gmail.com to discuss your co-op's particular needs.  Rates are offered at a 40% discount per person for 10-25 students who enroll with me or an insane 50% discount for 26 or more students.  You seriously cannot beat this deal!


Monday, April 8, 2013

Why learning Spanish should be towards the top of the curriculum list for homeschoolers




It was through talking to many families this past weekend at Great Homeschool Conventions Cincinnati that I was a bit shocked to learn that not everybody views a foreign language as a critical component of their learning.  Perhaps I am just a little too close to it, but I guess I figured it was well-known why it's a good idea to have at least two years of study in a given foreign language.  Time to evaluate:  Where are you in this thought process?

Each student's path is unique.  But no matter what decisions you make for your future, I whole-heartedly believe it is important to learn at least one new language during your lifetime:

  • College:  Did you know that most schools expect you to have at least 2 years of a given foreign language on your high school transcript?  Some actually even look for 4 years!  At some colleges, it's an absolute admissions requirement while at others you can fulfill the requirement during your years there (at high tuition prices and faster paces than it is taught at the high school level).  
  • Global society:  The Spanish language will not be exiting the U.S. culture anytime soon.  In fact, I've been reading up on this for a talk I'll be doing at the Omaha Teach Them Dilligently Convention.  Historically, other languages have been absorbed by English because the "subordinate" culture blends in to the "dominant."  But the Spanish language is gaining, not losing momentum in this country.  Cultural pride is strong.  Another point to consider is the fact that in many cases, Spanish was in this country before English when much of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California, Utah, Wyoming and Colorado were technically part of Mexico until the Treaty of Guadalupe officially signed them over to the U.S in 1848.
  • Travel and missions:  There are 20 countries (not including Puerto Rico since it is actually a territory of the U.S.) where Spanish is spoken as a first language.  All of these except for Spain (in Europe) are in other parts of the "Americas," not far from the U.S.!  With this proximity, travel to Spanish-speaking countries is so much more a convenience than many other countries in this world.  Those of you doing missions work know that many of these Spanish-speaking lands are impoverished and in need of a good deal of feeding... both nutritionally and spiritually.  You will be quite an asset to your mission group if you can speak Spanish!  One adorable little girl I talked to in Cincinnati told me she wanted to learn Hindi.  I asked, "why Hindi?"  She said she wants to do mission work in India, and in India they speak Hindi.  And so how could she talk to them about the gospels if she didn't speak Hindi?!?!?  Touché.  :)  I loved it. 
  • Jobs, jobs jobs!  Seriously.  If you can call yourself fluent in Spanish, you will be opening many doors to your future career.  In fact, sometimes bilingual employees get paid more which sort of makes the non-bilingual employees a little bitter.  Don't be bitter!
  • Brain research:  There are TONS of recent studies that show that people that learn more than one language actually have more brain activity than those that don't learn languages.  In fact, it has been brought to light that cases of Alzheimer's are significantly less in bilingual people or those who have studied multiple languages.  That may not mean anything to you now at this young age, but trust me...  you're doing your brain a world of good by learning Spanish!!!  :)


-Krista
www.croghanlanguageacademy.com

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Can a machine decide if you can speak Spanish?

Recently, I've been learning from families that have young children trying to learn Spanish that certain automated programs (I mention no names!) that guide you through Spanish lessons may not be all that user-friendly or effective. Here's the deal... you use a computer microphone to submit speech. The program then tells you whether you are saying it "right" or not. I do not yet have first-hand experience with this program, but my understanding is that it either won't let you pass on to the next lesson, or it is discouraging to the child in some other way. I think this is one area where technology just cannot out-do a human. To put this into perspective, think about people you have encountered who are learning English. They may struggle through the language, and you may struggle to understand, even have to ask them to repeat a time or two. But if each syllable is not pronounced correctly, would you throw a hand up to stop them, stating that they are not doing it right? I mean, what is the goal here? For those formally studying the language for work or school, perfection might be the objective. But for most people, they just want to be able to understand and be understood in the target language.

 At Croghan Language Academy, there is a real person behind the computer (who happens to have a Bachelor's in Education and a Master's in Spanish), receiving your oral submissions and returning uplifting and encouraging feedback. Mistakes are used as learning experiences, not road blocks!


Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Raffle! (Ends March 27)


It's time for another raffle giveaway from Croghan Language Academy!  This is a Facebook Raffle only.


Would you like the opportunity to try out a session of Croghan Language Academy's online Young Amigos class completely for free???  Check this out!

Up for giveaway...  100% paid tuition for the next 10-week session of K-6 online Young Amigos, beginning April 15, 2013, for one family!  The class is also appropriate for almost-kindergartners.  It is the Asynchronous offering (no scheduled live class meetings) up for giveaway.

DISCLAIMER:  This raffle is for new-to-Croghan Language Academy families only.


Croghan Language Academy is a new venture for Krista that started in 2012.  She has many years of experience with Spanish and teaching of all ages (both online and bricks & mortar).  She is a current member of ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) and is excited to be an exhibitor at Great Homeschool Conventions Cincinnati April 4-6 and Teach Them Dilligently in Omaha, May 30 - June 1.  Look for the Croghan Language Academy booth if you plan to attend either of these conventions.

 Learn more about Krista.


This Giveaway for one K-6 online Spanish class is open now and ends March 27 at 12:00 a.m. (just in time for me to get your course materials out to you for class!)

Click to enter: Facebook raffle

Happy Raffling!!!

Giveaway Day

Thursday, February 28, 2013

Learning to listen to Spanish




This post is primarily for adults learning Spanish, for example in my college-level courses.  The most popular inquiry is regarding how to hear, and more importantly understand, the Spanish language.  So please read the following strategies and ideas about how improve your listening skills.    

1.  First thing is first, get over the notion that you need to understand every word.  It's just not realistic.  It won't happen.  But instead, listen to get the gist and then use educated guessing to fill in the blanks.  If you have comprehension questions to answer, know those when you're watching, and listen just to find out the answer and forget the rest.
2.  In that process, you will need to repeat audio/video playing several times...  maybe even 50 times or more!  Use the pause button judiciously, then rewind immediately, until you do your very best to get it.  It is good ear-training.
3.  Are you using earphones?  If not, I highly recommend them.  Having the sound closer to your ear is helpful.
4.  Write down what you DO understand.  Leave blanks where you DON'T understand.  Then, see if you can figure it out.  Seeing it written down can be helpful.  
5.  If you hear a word that you don't understand, see if you can spell it out.  Type it into Google Translate, and see if it gives you anything that might be appropriate to context.  
6.  Be patient with yourself.  It is easy to get frustrated, but frustration does you no good.  Take a break from it, walk away.  Come back later when your brain is fresh.  This may do the trick!

Here are some idea for more organic forms of practice:

1.  Watch a movie, but set the language to Spanish.  If it is a movie you know well in English, you will find you can learn the Spanish you are hearing due to your pre-established knowledge.
2.  Listen to music in Spanish.  Find Spanish songs and then Google the lyrics so you can read along as you play the song.  Then take this song with you on your MP3 player, in your car, wherever you can listen to it.  Like #2 above, repetition will help you learn the language.  It's how we learned as babies... by listening over and over before we attempted to say a word for ourselves.
3.  Check out the podcast News in Slow Spanish.




Saturday, February 23, 2013

Talking point #1: Latinos are not falling into the U.S. melting pot


In preparation for a presentation I will be doing about the importance of learning Spanish in this country, I read Bilingual is Better by Ana L. Flores and Roxana A. Soto.  This book has a lot of great points, but one that stands out to me is the notion of Hispanic cultural sustainability.  They quote an April 2012 Nielsen report, saying "Hispanics are the largest immigrant group to exhibit significant culture sustainability and are not disappearing into the American melting pot" (Flores and Soto, 50)  That was a real Oprah "ah-ha" moment for me.  I had to think about this.  So the Hispanics in the U.S. don't fold in and acculturate into American society?  They are not just naturally going to blend into our Proverbial melting pot?  That is what other immigrant populations have done over time.  It's called acculturation, which Merriam-Webster defines as "cultural modification of an individual, group, or people by adapting to or borrowing traits from another culture; also : a merging of cultures as a result of prolonged contact"

Isn't this the way it goes in the U.S.:  Introduction of a new cultural community --> Fear, confusion and insecurity --> Reluctance to tolerate -->  Gradual tolerance --> Eventual acceptance AND/OR acculturation  --> Two cultures eventually becoming one --> Birth of new cultural community.  

What they are saying is that Hispanics are maintaining their cultural identity, their traditions and customs, their language.  They are not losing their culture.  Yes, when two cultures unite, some acculturation is going to happen.  But for the most part, Hispanic traditions (i.e. Spanish language!) are not being lost along the way.  Think about the number of Spanish words that are now recognized in the English language.  Flores and Soto offer the following as examples:  "taco, macho, burrito, fiesta, amigo, cilantro, poncho, barrio, piñata, siesta, coyote, hombre, co-jones, tortilla, rodeo, salsa, cabana, guerrilla, loco, sombrero, patio" (Flores and Soto, 51).  Some of those words are so commonplace English, that you may not have even realized it is a Spanish word!

I think of my hometown Grand Island, Nebraska (population roughly 50,000).  It was established by Germans.  But to find someone who speaks German there today is a real rarity.  There are no German print magazines or newspapers, nor is there even one German food restaurant.  All that I can think of are the two local halls:  The Liederkranz (this supposedly was the "high German club") and the Platt Duetsche (apparently the "low German club").  Those buildings are the most prominent traces of a once-thriving German culture.  The German culture of my hometown is considered a part of the history, not it's present, and certainly not it's future.

Spanish is different.  We see it everywhere.  If Latino culture is here to stay, then so is the Spanish language.  It's not going away!



Flores, A., & Soto, R. (2012). Bilingual is better. (1st ed.). Bilingual Readers.

Merriam-webster online dictionary. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acculturation

(2012). State of the hispanic consumer: the hispanic market imperative. (Quarter 2), Retrieved from http://nielsen.com//content/dam/corporate/us/en/reports-downloads/2012-Reports/State-of-the-Hispanic-Consumer.pdf

Thursday, January 31, 2013

Inflation




The next session of Young Amigos starts April 15!  There is an early registration discount of 15% if you commit to the class at least 60 days before it starts.  That happens to be February 14.  So… ¡Feliz Día de San Valentín!  My Valentine's Day gift to you!

My tuition prices did increase with the start of the new year, so I wanted to offer some assistance for those who register early.  I did so begrudgingly.  I'm a softy, a teacher, not really a businesswoman.  It was brought to my attention that once I pay for the online resource center access, the workbooks, the cost of shipping and handling, etc. for each family that I’m actually under market, and not really earning that much.
  
Another thing, the pricing from 2012 reflected a different model.  I did not interact, check in or provide personalized feedback.  I developed that model against my own beliefs about quality education.  As the session was running, I couldn't have felt any less attached to the families taking my courses.  I spent December revamping my model so that I have relationships with the families taking my classes, or at least offer relationships.  I followed my heart on this one.  I also feel this differentiates me from my competitors.  For example, Rosetta Stone (impressive program, by the way!) won't ask how things are going, offer unique solutions to issues, send personalized videos or hand out stars for a job well done!  They won't remind you that you forgot to do an item during the previous week, or update you when everything is back on track.  I don't have the impressive technology that some of the others do.  I am simply a caring human being; a qualified, certified instructor, teaching your family Spanish from afar.  And it means a lot to me!

Tuition information can be found here:  http://croghanlanguageacademy.webs.com/tuition    Some explanation might be appreciated:

Synchronous = There is a weekly 45-minute live meeting  
Asynchronous = There are no live meetings to attend, all work is completed on your own time.  

If you are currently taking my Asynchronous class and feel like you’re just not getting enough structure, enough instruction, enough feedback, etc. perhaps consider the Synchronous offering.  In my honest opinion, I feel that the blend of some work on your own and some done with me is ideal.

Questions?  Email croghanlanguageacademy@gmail.com!

Saturday, January 19, 2013

College students: How to get started


Your questions about where to go, how to begin, where to start... I will attempt to answer all of that here, providing a road map to get on the right path in your Spanish class.

In all cases, the syllabus is where you need to start. It is displayed prominently in your course, but if you can't locate it, post a question in the discussion forum. Read it at the start of class and refer to it often.
  1. I then would make sure you have accessed the assignment due dates sheet, or course calendar and get those into your own personal calendar. They will not change (unless I have made an error, in which case I would send out an announcement).
  2. If your course includes the purchase of passcodes to an online homework site, you will want to get that purchased and register there ASAP. You get your code(s) through the purchase of your texbook (so don't throw away ANY of the packaging until your code(s) are accounted for and you've enrolled in the site).
  3. From there, I would then spend some time getting to know the all aspects of the course. Do not try to pass up this self-orientation time, and do not rush the experience. 
  4. Once you have spent some time orientating to the course, you should go ahead and begin learning your first lesson. You naturally may feel hesitant or doubtful as you begin. I would be glad to check on something for you to confirm completion. Just send me a note about it.
  5. Each lesson in all of my classes will work the same as the first.  I think consistency and routine is important, so for the most part, Lesson 2 should get easier, just because it works the same as Lesson 1! 
If, after following all 6 steps, you still have questions or feel lost in some aspect, please let me know!

Monday, January 14, 2013

Send me photos of my students learning Spanish!



If you are a Young Amigos student that purchased a January course before the end of December, you should have received a t-shirt for each student as a token of my thanks for early registration!  If you registered after January, I am selling these (children through adult sizes), so let me know if you are interested!

If you are a Descubre student, you can also buy a t-shirt and this blog pertains to you as well...

I would like to ask a favor.  I don't have any photos of students working on my courses.  Being an online class, that's a little hard, if not impossible.  But I would LOVE it if you would shoot some shots and either email them to me, post them on www.facebook.com/CroghanLanguageAcademy or on our Edmodo social class site.  Students wearing their Croghan Language Academy shirts in these photos, even if they are too big :), would be the icing on the cake for me!

It is also an option to only share them with me, with the promise that I will not share them with anybody else.  I completely understand that you may not want to make them public, but I would still like to see them, regardless.  But if it doesn't bother you, I'd REALLY appreciate it as I'm trying to bring in more students, and I think pictures of students in action will help.  See permission slips below...




For now, I can only borrow pictures from the internet, but these just don't mean a thing to me.  :(      (:






-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

If sharing photos, please copy and paste the following, and mark the appropriate categories.  In all instances of sharing, no names (first or last) nor locations will be mentioned.

___  I grant permission to use the photo(s) of my child(ren) for the CLA website.
___  I grant permission to use the photo(s) of my child(ren) for the CLA Facebook page.
___  I grant permission to use the photo(s) of my child(ren) for the Bilingual Babble Blog.
___  I am sending photos for Krista to view only, but do not share in any other way. 

Friday, January 11, 2013

Is English threatened?


We are in the 21st century.  While discrimination and racism may feel to some like they are behind us, I think minorities would tell you that they are not, necessarily.  In some ways and in some places, it is still with us.

I start out one of my college courses with a discussion about whether or not they think the English language is threatened in the United States.  With the influx of minority populations, especially those who predominantly speak Spanish, my sense is there is fear out there.  Many people feel uncomfortable when in a public place and they hear people speaking Spanish.  And then they get mad and say "If you're going to live in this country, you better learn to speak the language (i.e. English)."  Why?  Have you considered... maybe they do speak English, but they are just having a private conversation?  Or perhaps they are just more comfortable speaking in their primary language?  Or maybe they are really trying to learn English and just struggling with it (after all, learning a new language is NOT easy, especially the older you get)?  We shouldn't jump to conclusions about intentions just because we hear people speaking a language other than English.

My point is... why waste time judging, speculating or criticizing?  Where is it really going to get you?  It is wasted energy.  My belief is that people fear it is really going to affect them one day, this speaking of Spanish or whatever other languages they feel threatened by.  English isn't going anywhere, folks.  You need not feel threatened.  So if that is the case, then why not turn this energy positive and learn to accept, tolerate and welcome into your lives people who speak another language.  Build relationships with them!  Reach out to them:  learn to speak their language as they are learning yours.  

Monday, January 7, 2013

How to start a new class

So, today I had about 45 minutes to kill.  I wanted to do something productive, there's lots on the list, but I wasn't sure what I was in the mood for.  I decided to start learning a bit of Italian.  I purchased Rosetta Stone (it's been sitting here a couple of weeks now, in it's pretty yellow box, just begging to be opened).  What did I actually accomplish?  Well, I got the package opened, the program downloaded and registered, and that's about it.  I didn't even have time to start looking around to see what there is to see!

This was a good reminder to me about something I always preach to my college-level students:  Give yourself TIME when getting started.  Be realistic.  It was not realistic for me to think I'd actually start learning Italian in just 45 minutes.  Now that it's ready to go, I STILL have some orientation to do to learn how this is going to work.  So it will probably be a little while before I actually start learning any Italian.  :)  I can be patient.

I am also getting ready to start new sessions of Young Amigos next week.  This is a good notion for them, too.  I estimate families can plan to spend about 2-3 hours per week on the course.  But the first week just takes more time, because you are learning the objectives and plan of action for the course.  Be realistic.  You need that orientation time.    

Saturday, January 5, 2013

Color label your house in Spanish!



One common strategy to learn a language is to label items that are often in your sight. When you look at the item, read the label. Over time, you should be able to look at the item and identify it without reading the label anymore! Here is a color label template that you can use to make labels for your house. Each label includes the actual spelling of the Spanish word (in bold) and a pronunciation guide based on the English language (in italics).

Alternatively, if you don't want to place the labels around the house, go ahead and color them without cutting them apart.  Then study them once a day in the same fashion, until you can look at the color and identify it in Spanish without having to read it.

Here are the translations of each, so that you can color your labels appropriately!

1.  negro - black
2.  blanco - white
3.  azul - blue
4.  rojo - red
5.  morado - purple
6.  verde - green
7.  amarillo - yellow
8.  anaranjado - orange
9.  gris - gray
10.  café - brown
11.  rosado - pink
12.  turquesa - turquoise
13.  azul marino - aquamarine blue
14.  verde oscuro - dark green
15.  azul claro - light blue
16.  violeta - lavender or violet
17.  de oro - gold
18.  de plata - silver
19.  bronceado- bronze
20.  cobrizo - copper

Thursday, January 3, 2013

Hip Homeschool Moms Giveaway!

Giveaway Day

Would you like the opportunity to try out a session of Croghan Language Academy's online Young Amigos class completely for free???  Check this out!

Up for giveaway...  100% paid tuition for the next 10-week session of K-6 online Young Amigos, beginning January 14, 2013, for one family!  The class is also appropriate for almost-kindergartners.  Review my January 1 blog post for details on this course.  It is the Asynchronous offering (no scheduled live class meetings) up for giveaway.

Croghan Language Academy is a new venture for Krista in 2012.  She has many years of experience with Spanish and teaching of all ages (both online and bricks & mortar).  She is a current member of ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) and is excited to be an exhibitor at Great Homeschool Conventions Cincinnati April 4-6.  Look for Croghan Language Academy if you plan to attend!

 Learn more about Krista.


This Giveaway for one K-6 online Spanish class is open now and ends January 11 at 12:00 a.m. (just in time for me to get your course materials out to you for class!)

Happy Raffling!!!  Here's how to enter...


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Defining myself

I am NOT...
  1. A software developer or computer programmer.
  2. A book or Do-It-Yourself manual.
  3. An automated machine or program.
  4. An app on your phone or tablet.
  5. A DVD or CD you throw into the machine.


I AM...
  1. A trained teacher who holds a B.S. in Spanish Language Education and an M.A. in Spanish with an emphasis on education, and who has spent extensive time in Spain and the Dominican Republic.
  2. Experienced with nine years of full-time teaching in public schools and four years of adjunct teaching at the college level, including in-class, online, and blended (in-class and online) learning.
  3. Passionate about cultures, diversity, tolerance, travel, and want to share those interests with my students.
  4. A nurturer of hearts and minds; a cultivator of relationships that are established through the teaching and learning process.
  5. Human.


Which would you prefer to help your family learn Spanish?  

Let's do this together!

Young Amigos 2013



Do you have a K-6 student (also appropriate for "almost-K") looking to learn Spanish online with a certified instructor?  I offer two types of courses for this level:  Synchronous and Asynchronous.  Synchronous, think "synchronized," means that you work through most of the lesson on your own, but there is a weekly online class meeting to facilitate learning.  Through experience, I've learned that this model is best for optimal learning.  But I also understand the need for flexibility, and so I continue to offer an Asynchronous (not synchronized) course where all of the work is done on the family's preferred schedule, no meetings to attend.  Both courses involve some self-feedback (quizzes that grade themselves or provided answer keys) but also some personalized feedback communicated to you directly from the instructor.   

Both of these course types last 10 weeks.  After 10 weeks, there will be the option to enroll in a subsequent class.  I am pleased with the number of seats I've filled so far, but I'm hoping to get a few more students for my course beginning on January 14.  If you would like to purchase a course "taster," I've set up the option to purchase Week 2 of the course for just $18, so you can see how things will work.  

For more information:

croghanlanguageacademy@gmail.com 
http://croghanlanguageacademy.webs.com/ 
Level Objectives for each course of Young Amigos
Course Information
Course Manual
2013 session dates

¡Próspero Año Nuevo!  -Krista  


Intellectual and Relational Capital

Streams of Life Pastor Mark Fry had a great sermon this past Sunday.  John said to me as we were having lunch after service:  "Wow, those are some heavy challenges!" I agree.  But I found the notion of these challenges for an improved "me" inspiring and motivating.  Here they are, in particular order of importance:

Types of Capital

  1. Spiritual
  2. Relational
  3. Physical
  4. Intellectual
  5. Financial
I encourage each of you to consider how you can invest in each of the 5 different types of Personal Capital in 2013.  But let me share an idea about how to kill two proverbial birds with one stone.

Language-learning in the 21st century is a great example of Intellectual Capital.  You are awakening major brain power to learn the structure of a language other than your own.  It is no easy task, and I often tell students who are struggling:  Hey, if it were easy, wouldn't we all speak at least 2 or 3 different languages?  It takes time, effort and determination if you are learning a language in any other way than survival-mode (i.e. living in the target culture).   

I also see language-learning as Relational, in a couple of different ways.  First, there are motivational factors involved when a teacher/student relationship ensues in order to learn a language.  It is one reason that I am not a big proponent of do-it-yourself language-learning programs, such as Rosetta Stone.  Some learners just need accountability, and this implies a relationship between at least two people.  A computer or software cannot hold you accountable, because there is no relationship with the technology (no matter how much a person loves their iPhone!)  Although, I'll be trying out Rosetta Stone Italian this year, so I'll keep you posted on my hypothesis.

Secondarily, as a person expands his or her language horizons, new friendships are possible that are tough to attain if you only speak one language.  When I ask my college students why they are taking my Spanish class, one of the most popular responses has something to do with relationship with others.  They want to be able to communicate with co-workers, new friends, new family members, neighbors, etc.  Expanding communication opens up hearts!    

Just a couple of thoughts to consider.  I hope you will take some time to decide how you will invest in each of the 5 types of Personal Capital for 2013!  And then... find a way to follow through on those commitments!  :)