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.    

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

Hip Homeschool Moms Giveaway!

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

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!  :)  

Looking forward to 2013!

As 2012 comes to a close, I am excited for what is to come in 2013.  

• I have expanded my commitment with Virtual Homeschool Group from two classes in the fall to three starting this spring.  When I reached out to VHSG about volunteer-teaching a class or two (now, three, come February!), I wasn't quite sure what I was getting into, or if it was a good idea.  But I must tell you, and I mean this with all honesty, it was one of the best decisions I made in 2012.  I've enjoyed immensely helping students learn Spanish.  I am passionate about teaching and learning, about the Spanish language, but mostly about my students.  I love the collaborative relationship that grows out of a teacher teaching and a learner learning.  It is dynamic and fulfilling, to say the least, and I look forward to 2013 with this group. 
• We have committed to setting up a booth at Great Homeschool Conventions-Cincinnati April 4-6.  I am really looking forward to getting out and personally meeting families that are looking for a solid online Spanish-language program for their families.
• I have purchased Rosetta Stone Italian!  In 2013, I will kill two birds with one stone.  I've always wanted to learn at least one other language, and everybody is always asking me about Rosetta Stone.  I always hear good things, so I will be trying it out first-hand and I will now be able to give my educated opinion when I'm asked about it.  So under the umbrella of CLA, I will be learning Italian with the intent to one day teach online Italian homeschool courses.  

All this said, here is what my husband tells me.  And I quote from an email message he sent me today:  "Remember – move slow to move fast – and “more mass equals more mess”.  At this point, remember what you are and what you are not as a business."  

Great, sound advice...  I love it.  I hope I can follow it.  :)