Home School Heartbeat Radio Program

Mike Smith:
This week, we’ve been talking about how to teach a foreign language in your homeschool. With all these resources, you’re ready to start working toward the end goal of learning a language—the ability to speak it.

Meeting international students is a great way to practice a second language. Many universities have programs that will connect you with a foreign student who is eager to practice conversational skills with an American family. In exchange, your children can learn about the language and culture of your foreign student.

If you don’t live near a university, find out whether there are classes for teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages in your area. You may also be able to find speakers of other languages by visiting an international church in your area. You could get language immersion experience while you worship with believers from around the world!

Your student could correspond with a missionary or sponsor a child overseas, getting practice in writing and reading a foreign language. Learning other languages can also prepare your student to travel on short- or long-term mission trips.

Be creative—in this day and age, you can find ways to interact with people from all over the globe! Make a foreign language come alive for your children by giving them opportunities to engage with native speakers. Involve your whole family—from the little ones to Mom and Dad—and start talking!

Until next time, I’m Mike Smith.