Homeschooling Russian

[Rozov, Mr. Aleksander]

Hello,
I don't think the books you mentioned will be of great help developing your child's conversational skills. As Language Instrctor, I have tried to use those books with my students and ended up throwing them away. I strongly suggest that you utilize the "Berlitz method" which emphasizes conversation over grammar. From my teaching experience, I have developed my own curriculum, which encompasses Berlitz method, along with grammar and other elements essential for language acquisition. In short, I wouldn't use the traditional tools of language acquisition, as they proven to be ineffective, but rather hire the Russian tutor. If I can be of further assistance, please contact me off list at gerlend2007 at gmail.com     
________________________________________
From: SEELANGS: Slavic & East European Languages and Literatures list [SEELANGS at bama.ua.edu] On Behalf Of Kerry Millan [kerrymillan at EMBARQMAIL.COM]
Sent: Saturday, February 07, 2009 10:49 AM
To: SEELANGS at bama.ua.edu
Subject: [SEELANGS] Homeschooling Russian

Hello!  I am a homeschooling mother with a question about Russian language
curriculi.  My 9-year-old son has an amazing facility with languages and has
recently decided that he would like to begin studying Russian, in addition
to the other languages he is learning (he is currently taking third year
high school Spanish and second year high school Mandarin Chinese).  I am
having some difficulty in finding an appropriate curriculum for him.  I want
something that will prepare him for taking Russian at a University in the
future, so things like "Rosetta Stone" are not what I am looking for.  Also,
despite his young age, he tends to move quickly through a language, so a
"child's curriculum" is also not appropriate.  I have seen a few options
online, such as "Face to Face", "Golosa" and "Nachalo", but I do not feel
qualified to choose amongst them (or find something else altogether
different).  He will likely begin at home on his own, and after he completes
the basics (Cyrillic alphabet, basic words and structure), I will likely
find him a native-speaking Russian tutor.

Can anyone please give me advice or suggest a good curriculum for this setting?

Incidentally, we adopted both my son and daughter as infants from Russia, so
his wanting to learn Russian is very close to his heart, and ours as well.

Thank you very much for your time and expertise!!

Sincerely,

Kerry Millan :)

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