Ecoutez, Parlez! (French) / Escucha Y Hablemos! (Spanish) Oral Language Programs

Description

So you have studied a foreign language for several years. Suppose you get the opportunity to visit a foreign country and put your skills to the test. Are you excited, or do you feel a little nervous? Will native speakers really be able to understand what you're trying to say? Well, the goal of this program is to get you sounding like a native speaker while teaching simple phrases you'll probably have occasion to use. Please note that this is not a complete program. You won't get specific lessons on grammar, syntax, writing or reading comprehension. However, you will learn correct pronunciation, practical vocabulary, and basic conversational skills with a full 10-15 minutes of speaking practice a day. Each program consists of a spiral-bound textbook containing 50-55 pages and an audio CD.

Black-and-white (non-reproducible) student workbooks are available separately, with written exercises corresponding to the lessons in the textbook. The workbook exercises tend to focus on writing and translating sentences and phrases, plus fill-in-the-blank and word search activities (answers included).

In each unit, new vocabulary (and the sentences and questions you can make using that vocabulary) is introduced. The book contains colorful pictures and English translations next to the French or Spanish phrases and sentences. Instructions are given in English, but everything else you'll hear and be asked to repeat, will be in the foreign language. It is recommended that you repeat each unit once for 9 days before going onto the next unit.

Each book has five units. Program one introduces greetings and numbers, fruits and colors, family, farm animals, and school words. Program two covers vegetables, days, months, numbers to thirty and dates, facial features and body parts, weather and seasons, and breakfast and lunch foods and conversation. Program three focuses on sports, wild animals and geographical features, places in the city, place settings and meals, and items of clothing. Program four features marine animals, rooms in a house, continents and countries, transportation, and zoo animals. Verbs and questions that go along with each topic are also introduced and used. Though I've only worked through Unit 1 myself, this seems like a really easy program to implement. With consistent use, you can develop a better "ear" for listening to and understanding spoken languages and gain increased confidence in speaking them yourself. ~ Anh

Teaching Method
Traditional
Teacher-centered curriculum commonly used in classrooms that may include a text, teacher manual, tests, etc.
Charlotte Mason
A methodology based on the work of a 19th century educator who maintained that children learn best from literature (Living Books), not textbooks.
Classical
A methodology based on the Latin Trivium (three stages of learning), including the grammar stage (memorization and facts), logic stage (critical thinking), and rhetoric stage (developing/defending ideas).
Unit Study
A thematic or topical approach centered around one topic that integrates multiple subject areas.
Montessori (Discovery)
A methodology based on the work of a 20th century educator that emphasizes student and sensory-driven discovery learning and real-life applications.
Other
Other methodologies
Religious Content
Secular
Contains content contrary to common Christian beliefs (i.e. evolution).
Neutral
Avoids religious or theoretical topics or presents multiple viewpoints without preference.
Christian/Religious
Faith-based or including instructional religious content.
Learning Modality
Auditory
Learns through listening, talking out loud or reading out loud.
Visual
Learns through seeing, prefers written instructions and visual materials.
Kinesthetic/Tactile (Hands-On)
Learns through moving, doing and touching.
Multi-Sensory
Curriculum that employ a variety of activities/components.
Presentation
Sequential
Curriculum progresses through well-defined learning objectives. Emphasizes mastery before moving to the next topic.
Spiral
Topics and concepts are repeated from level to level, adding more depth at each pass and connecting with review.
Conceptual/Topical
Focus is on the “why,” often with a unifying concept as well as specific skills; coverage may be broader.
Teacher Involvement
Low Teacher Involvement
Student-led materials; parent acts as a facilitator.
Medium Teacher Involvement
A mix of teacher-led time and independent student work.
High Teacher Involvement
Teacher-led lessons; may utilize discussions, hands-on activities and working together.
Additional Materials Required
No other materials needed
Everything you need is included.
Other Materials Required
There are additional required resources that are a separate purchase.
Other Materials Optional
There are additional resources mentioned or recommended but are not absolutely necessary.
Consumable
Consumable
Designed to be written in; not reusable.
Non-Consumable
Not designed to be written in; reusable.