Hola! I have a 2 high schoolers (Freshman and Junior), one in 6th and one in 4th. (And a 5 year old listening along). I was planning to have everyone do the same videos and the same work at the same time each day- a family class. Would you recommend this, yes or no and why?
We've had a rough beginning trying to understand what assignments arein the packet and what assignments are the Spanish Now book. After reading some forums I THINK it's starting to take shape.
I originally bought one Spanish Now book but looks like I probably need one book for each student since it's more of a workbook? Is this what you suggest?
Also, the High School Level seems a little much for the younger kids, so wondering if I should have them do See it and Say it - but is that a different membership? And, should I pause and just have EVERYONE do See it and Say it?
overall I would love your recommendations for how to lead a whole family in learning Spanish, especially with 2 in the high school level.
Thanks so much.
Hola Tiffany!
Yes, I'm so sorry you're frustrated with figuring out the set up. This has recently become a fairly often mentioned issue, but I hadn't heard it before this year, really. I'm not sure what changed. I do apologize.
If you think of the course like a college course, you go to class, then do the assignments from the text. So ANY page number will ALWAYS be referring to the Spanish Now Textbook.
If there's not a page number, that's because the assignment is right there in the lesson packet/ printed spiral guidebook. Each lesson begins with a video, and then has three or four days of assignments designed to go with the notes from the class time video.
I'll address the family question in a separate response. :-)
Some times too many words is TOO MANY!
So, for your family, I highly recommend allowing the High Schoolers to "drive" their own course and pace for Spanish. Yes, each students needs a textbook (Spanish Now) and each one needs their own print out or guidebook spiral to take notes in and track their assignments for the week. In addition to the Lessons 1-25, they can jump to other series, like comic strip Spanish, lazy Spanish, etc.
For the younger ones, See it and Say it is PERFECT for them. It's a physical curriculum, no screens, no memberships, nothing like the video service you have here. You'll buy one SiSi Box Set that contains 2 YEARS of curriculum. You lay out the cards for the week, listen to the audio. There's no reason a 5 year old should be able to sit through the Spanish Geniuses Level 1 class. ;-) - That's expected to be for a scholar level student who is self-directing.
However, the SiSi hands on lessons are only 10-15 minutes MAX, so your high schoolers can absolutely jump in along with the family. It's simple, hands on, and FUN!
THe bonus sessions we have (I think I saw your name yesterday on the desserts session?) are TOTALLY applicable for everyone. Let the little ones sit and hop up, come back, or not. All ages, Moms and Dads too, get a lot of fun and absorption from those 30 minutes every week. Our next one is tomorrow @2pm central, if you can make it. We do upload those too, so you might want to go find old ones, if you think of it.
Finally, to make the most of your membership, I think the little ones will love Story Time Spanish, and your high schoolers will also get something out of it. I'm creating a tool right now to help learners know which story book might serve them best at their level.
PHEW! I hope that all helps! I'll be releasing a new page on the FlipFlop Spanish.com website with all this laid out, now that we have a clear map on "the utopia" for using Flip Flop Tools. It's been 20 years in the making, and the organic growth has not been linear. So it's time to get the definitions better defined. Thanks for your patience! I hope these tools help you!
Sra. Gose