ML Interest Tag: immersion-program

Portland Street Art to Check Out Now

by Annette Benedetti

Spring is winding down and summer is on its way. There’s no time like the present to get out and about and see great art. Did you know you can enjoy family-friendly art without spending a single cent all while enjoying fresh air? Portland is known for its next-level street art so we put together a list of murals and walls throughout the city that has some of the most inspiring art to be found. Read on for where to go on your Portland street art tour.

photo: by Annette Benedetti

People’s History of Hawthorne

Located on the corner of SE Hawthorne and SE 49th on the Eagles Lodge, this beautiful mural represents the best of the area and is a dedication to the neighborhood and community. It includes representations of historical figures and mythical figures that are said to have shaped SE Portland. Look closely and you will catch a glimpse of the individuals you see roaming the neighborhood. Artist, Chris Haberman painted this piece in 2012/2013 and your littles will love standing among the neighborhood folk while you capture an image of them hanging out in this vibrant depiction of their beloved hometown.

4904 SE HawthornBlvd.
Artist: Chris Haberman
Online: portlandwild.com

 

 

Rhinoceros Mural Wall

Located on SE Morrison street just east of SE 12 outside of There Be Monsters, this life-like mural is a community favorite. It was painted in August of 2015 by artists Josh Keys for the annual Forest For The Trees mural event. Your little animal lovers will love leaning on this friendly looking beast and the resulting photos will be unforgettable.

1308 SE Morrison St.
Artist: Josh Keys
Online: turningart.com


photo: Carrie Uffindell

Women Making History in Portland

Painted in 2007 for the now defunct In Other Words Feminist Community Center, this 18-foot by 60-foot acrylic painting by Robin Corbo honors amazing women who’ve influenced – or are currently influencing – the city. Think community activists, native artists, educational advocates and more.

2335 N. Clark Ave, a block off N. Interstate
Artist: Robin Corbo
Online: eliotneighborhood.org/2018/10/02/women-making-history-mural


photo: Carrie Uffindell

Woodstock Mural

Commerce, education and the outdoors dominate this mural, which was relocated to the western wall of New Seasons in 2015. Look closely and you’ll also see various mythological symbols scattered throughout, including a winged hat, an olive branch necklace and a lotus staff. Behind the young student is the Woodstock motto translated into Mandarin, in honor of the elementary school’s immersion program.

4500 S.E. Woodstock Blvd
Artists: Designed by Mark Lawrence and painted by Heidi Schultz. Reproduction by Dan Cohan and Christo Wunderlich.
Online: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woodstock_Mural

 


photo: Carrie Uffindell

Attitude of Gratitude

You’ll be hard pressed to find a more dynamic mural than the one SolTerra’s headquarters: a 70-foot tall woman, hands clasped in gratitude, with over one thousand living plants for her hair. Check back to see it flourish and change each season.

959 S.E. Division St.
Artist: Fin DAC
Online: solterra.com/blog-attitude-9-22-17-2

photo: Carrie Uffindell

The Musician’s Union Building Mural

This 100-foot composition at the Portland Musician’s Union Local 99 celebrates our city’s thriving music scene and heritage in vivid color. Jazz, classical, bluegrass, rock ‘n’ roll, hip hop, reggae and rhythm & blues — all showcase the power of music. Find it on the building’s south wall, facing the parking lot.

325 N.E. 20th Ave.
Artists: Isaka Shamsud-Din, Joe Cotter, Baba Wagué Diakité, Hector Hernandez
Online: portlandwild.com/art/86

photo: Carrie Uffindell

Ladies Up Project

Morrison Place’s retail center is home to seven murals and counting. This ongoing, multi-artist project (also in collaboration with PSAA) only features works by local female-identifying artists and artists of color. Images range from a bold tiger to messages of unity. Look for the murals along S.E. Alder St.

1401 S.E. Morrison St.
Artists: Tatyana Ostepenko, Salomée Soung, Amaranta Colindres, Isis Fisher, Kyra Watkins, Sunny Beard, Angela Saenz and Laura Medina
Online: pdxstreetart.org/articles-all/ladiesup

 

photo: Carrie Uffindell

Community Cycling Center Mural

There’s no better – or more iconic – mural in the city that celebrates Portland’s bike culture. Covering the western wall of the cycling center’s retail shop, the vibrant piece portrays a whimsical parade of unicycles/bicycles/tricycles, costumed kids, hot air balloons, happy pets and more.

1700 N.E. Alberta St.
Artist: Robin Corbo
Online: communitycyclingcenter.org

photo: Carrie Uffindell

Now is the Time, Now is the Place

One of Portland’s oldest murals, its message of Black pride and empowerment is as important today as when it was painted in 1989. On the north wall of the Portland Covenant Church, Martin Luther King Jr. is surrounded by other notable faces, including Nelson and Winnie Mandela, South African playwright Selaelo Maredi and Muslim leader Elijah Muhammad.

4046  N.E. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.
Artists: Isaka Shamsud-Din, Paul Odighizuwa, Charlotte Lewis and Kathy Pennington
Online: portlandwild.com/art/view/75

photo: courtesy of Portland Street Art Alliance

A Place Called Home

When airport travel is safe again, you won’t want to miss this sweeping 150-foot mural, located in Portland International Airport’s north pedestrian tunnel. All of what makes the Pacific Northwest great is on display here, from native peoples and natural wonders to farmers markets and local musicians.

7000 NE Airport Way
Artists: Alex Chiu and Jeremy Nichols
Online: pdxstreetart.org/articles-all/2019/10/2/the-pdx-airport-mural-project

—Annette Benedetti

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Building a Bilingual Global Future at the German International School

by Katie Lineberger
Partner Content

Ever wish you mastered another language as a child? When kids have a bilingual education, they’re challenged daily to step out of their comfort zone and connect language to the world around them. Becoming bilingual gives children the tools to thrive in many aspects of their lives—now and in the future. Dual language programs help develop critical thinking skills, foster creativity, boost problem-solving capabilities, and improve cognitive performance. 

At the German International School in Beaverton, children learn in a supportive environment dedicated to helping them grow into well-rounded, global citizens. GIS is an International Baccalaureate School, featuring German and Mandarin language immersion, and serving two-year-old’s through 5th grade.

Learn more about German International School and set up a tour today!

Early Learners Discover Language

Students in the preschool and kindergarten programs at GIS begin making important connections through play-based education, as well as interaction with teachers and native-speaking peers. Children are exposed to German or Chinese (depending on the chosen track) and English through stories, songs, art, movement and immersion-style instruction—building important communication skills and preparing for the transition to the full immersion program. Previous Chinese or German language experience is not required to enroll in preschool or kindergarten.

It’s a Collaborative Community with Student-Centered Learning

The German International School is an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, committed to developing knowledgeable, caring, bilingual world citizens. The IB program focuses on cognitive development, as well as the social, emotional and physical well-being of each student. The program's aim is to shape inquiring, internationally-minded students, who are culturally aware, prepared with skills to tackle society’s complex challenges and seek to create a better world.

Learn more about German International School and set up a tour today!

Small Classes Set Kids up for Success

Small class sizes help young learners succeed in Chinese or German immersion. From the classroom to the outdoors, this tight-knit community of students is provided with thoughtful environments and experiences that spark curiosity as they explore. By interacting with warm, knowledgeable teachers and friends of various cultures, kids at GIS become well equipped to connect with a wide variety of people from all around the globe.

Learning Extends Beyond the Classroom

GIS students also learn through music, art, and PE. These specials give students fresh perspectives and ways of experiencing what they’ve learned in the classroom through different mediums. No matter the activity, students have countless opportunities to nurture their curiosity with inquiry-based learning.  With a focus on empathy, the school’s Second Step program teaches kids how to recognize and communicate their emotions, so they can be good learners and good friends. Set up a tour today!  

Learn more about German International School and set up a tour today!

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 An Education That Extends Beyond Borders

by Jamie Aderski
Partner Content

Wish you held on to that high school Spanish? Si, us too. The best time for your child to learn a language is now—the earlier the better! The opportunity to acquire another language is one of the greatest gifts you can give your kids, opening doors and expanding their world in a way that only being bilingual can. 

The International School creates an inclusive, multicultural environment where children are fully immersed in Spanish, Japanese, or Mandarin from preschool through 5th grade. Located in South Portland, The International School has provided its young students with a bilingual education for 30 years!

After graduating from The International School, children will not only be bilingual and bicultural, they’ll have the educational foundation needed to excel in school and life. Read on for three reasons why this school is excelente!

The First of Its Kind

The International School is a renowned center of excellence in multicultural education. They are the largest preschool program in Portland and (cue the confetti) are celebrating their 30th Anniversary this year! The International School was the first International Baccalaureate elementary school in the Pacific Northwest. They are one of only two schools in the United States (and perhaps the world) offering full immersion in three separate language tracks under one roof—it’s a one-stop language shop.

Language Program Offerings Like No Other

It is the only program in the country to offer full Japanese language immersion, and the only program to combine Japanese immersion with the renowned International Baccalaureate approach. The International School’s Chinese immersion program is the 8th oldest program in the United States. It’s also the longest-running program in the Pacific Northwest. Impressive stats for an incredibly impressive school (we’re not surprised!).

World-Class Educators

They boast having a highly-qualified and loving staff, hailing from over 17 countries. Kids get the attention they need and deserve with no more than 19 students per class, with the average class size being even smaller. All The International School teachers have native-level fluency, so kids learn native accents, speech patterns and expressions. It’s the ideal way to learn a language (and to fool someone into thinking you’re from another country).

 

Give an education that expands beyond borders and watch your child grow. They’ll acquire a new language and culture as they learn to pursue knowledge beyond the classroom and throughout life—all before the 6th grade! 

 

Virtual personal tours are offered daily and they are now accepting applications for Fall 2021. Financial aid is available.

 

—Jamie Aderski

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Can Your Child Dream in Multiple Languages?

By Meaghan Hlinka

Can your child dream in multiple languages? All kids have their unique talents and skills, bilingual or multilingual children have the extra ability of speaking and expressing themselves in more than one language. What special powers does this extra language bring them?

photo: Rochambeau The French International School

At Home and on the Playground

•   Improved self-control. Switching between languages activates the same areas of the brain that are active in applying self-control. Regular exposure to multiple languages exercises and strengthens self-discipline.

•  Easier adaptation to new environments. Multilingual children understand that different languages and cultures have different rules, a concept that can help them adapt flexibly to change and a variety of social settings.

•   Stronger ties to family and culture. Children who master foreign languages maintain closer bonds with their family and culture, which can help them develop a stronger sense of identity.

•   More opportunities for making diverse friends. Speaking multiple languages allows students to connect with children from a greater variety of backgrounds and cultures.

photo: Rochambeau The French International School

At School & in the Workforce

•   Heightened focus. Multilingual children are more practiced at filtering irrelevant information and ignoring distractions. Suppressing one language to access another strengthens executive function – the ability to manage time and resources to get things done.

•   Better mastery of home language. Students who study more than one language are more familiar with the mechanics of language in general, from parts of speech to etymology.

•   Enhanced problem-solving and abstract thinking skills. Multilingual people tend to be more competent at understanding mathematical concepts, word problems, logic puzzles, and other essential STEM skills.

•   Greater competitiveness in a global and multilingual workforce. Doing business in today’s world can mean crossing cultural and linguistic borders on a daily basis. Well over half of the world’s population speaks more than one language, and many careers favor multilingual job applicants.

photo: Rochambeau The French International School

In the Community & in the World

•   Increased tolerance and empathy. Studies show a possible link between multilingualism and empathy, perhaps because speaking additional languages requires seeing from more than one perspective.

•   Enriched travel experiences. Speaking the language while exploring another country is not only practical but also makes for a more authentic and immersive cultural encounter.

•   A stronger foundation for learning other languages. Once a second language is acquired, learning additional languages will come more easily and naturally.

•   More meaningful participation in a global community. Understanding other cultures and languages fosters a deeper understanding of our complex and interconnected world – as well as our role in making it a better place.

photo: Rochambeau The French International School

What Is Important to Keep in Mind When Introducing Your Child to Another Language?

Starting early is key, even child who are not yet speaking can benefit from exposure to another language. Everyone knows children learn languages more quickly and easily than adults, so the earlier the better.

Consider multiple languages, learning to learn languages is a skill set in itself. Multiple languages if taught by native speakers can have compounded benefits. Switching between languages activates the same areas of the brain that are active in applying self-control.

Quality is critical, be sure the language instruction comes from a native speaker. Even at a young age, children can recognize the subtle nuances of a language and quality of instruction is important.

Set a goal, a new language takes time. It takes 6-7 years to be become fully fluent in a new language, plan to commit to this language for a significant period of time.

Consider an immersion program, these programs offer dedicated instruction in a new language and provide students with significant exposure to this language. Programs vary from 50% of the day to 100% of the school day in the target language. Different program models exist, most public immersion programs offer the core curriculum translated in the target language, other schools such as the French or International schools provide a dedicated curriculum blending language and culture.

photo: Rochambeau The French International School

Take It From Mom

As a mother of a 3 year old trilingual daughter (French, English, and Slovak) I see the benefits everyday. When she learns a new concept in one language she carries it over almost immediately to the other two languages. We chose to expose her to these three languages because my husband is from Slovakia and I, as a French/American, growing up in the US have always regretted not being fully proficient in both languages.  We tried our best to balance the languages so no one language was more dominant. We started early, during the first two years child care was split between a French speaking nanny and her Slovak speaking grandparents. We set the goal for her to be able to speak fluently with both sets of grandparents and she is there but we are conscious that to maintain this will take more work. We enrolled her last year at Rochambeau The French International School where 80% of her day is in French. The school teaches the French curriculum which is uniform across all French schools around the world and also has a robust English language program based on the core curriculum. We hope the priority we have placed on language learning will give her a strong sense of identity and the confidence needed to study, work, or live wherever she chooses.

Meaghan Hlinka is Admissions Associate at Rochambeau The French International School in Bethesda, MD. Interested in language acquisition, she is bilingual French/English and has studied Arabic, Turkish, and Slovak. A mom to a 3 year old daughter she feels lucky to be able to share multiple cultures with her daughter. 

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Ideas Big and Small to Honor Hispanic Heritage Month in Chicago

by Maria Chambers

National Hispanic Heritage Month is observed September 15-October 15, and was established to recognize the invaluable contributions made by Hispanic and Latino Americans in the United States. This celebration of heritage and culture coincides with the anniversary of the independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Mexico, Chile and Belize also celebrate their independence during this period. Read on for ideas on for celebrating these important community contributors, whether they be in your home or a neighbor’s.

photo: quimuns via Pixabay

1. See a colorful new world unfold at the always-free National Museum of Mexican Art. The 10,000-piece permanent collection spans ancient Mexico to the present day, and is one of the largest and most respected in the country Beginning Sep. 20-Dec. 8, visitors can see a special Día de Muertos exhibition, a commemoration deeply rooted in ancient beliefs of life after death and a spiritual existence within the universe. (1852 W. 19th St., Pilsen)

2. If a kid in a candy shop is something to remember, what about a kid in a Mexican candy shop? Dulcelandia Candy is the largest distributor of Mexican candy in the Midwest and its three locations are well worth a visit. The colorful selection of sweets will make you wish that coconut and mango suckers were a food group. (Little Village, Brighton Park and Logan Square)

photo: XOCO, Gabriela H. via Yelp

3. Indulge in a chewy, fresh-from-the-fryer churro or flaky empanada from Rick Bayless’ XOCO, which offers a contemporary take on Mexico’s most-favorite street foods. After the first bite, your kids will be sold. (449 N. Clark St., River North)

4. Celebrate the musicality of the Hispanic culture with ¡SÚBELO! – A Celebration of Pan Latin Music and Culture, highlighting artists from Puerto Rico, Peru and Mexico as part of the World Music Festival held in venues across the city. (Sep. 14, 3 p.m.-7 p.m.; Jay Pritzker Pavilion, 201 E. Randolph St., Millennium Park)

5. Take part in a one-hour joyous, heartfelt adventure that delves into the rich, tuneful traditions of Día de los Muertos through music and dance at the MAC’s Sugar Skull! A Día de los Muertos Musical Adventure.

photo: Mindy’s Hot Chocolate, Tim M. via Yelp

6. No matter the temperature, hot chocolate is always a treat. Our favorite take on the steamy sensation comes from Wicker Park hot spot Mindy’s Hot Chocolate (1747 N. Damen Ave., 773-489-1747). The Mexican hot chocolate is a rich, flavorful melange of dark chocolate, milk, fresh cinnamon and cayenne — all topped with housemade marshmallows. If you’re in the western ‘burbs, Le Chocolat (127-129 S. Washington St., Naperville) also does an amazing Mexicocoa.

7. Hola, shoppers! Maxwell Street Market is a historic outdoor bazaar filled with vendors that sell jewelry and crafts inspired by Mexico and some of the best Mexican and Latin street food vendors in Chicago. (Every Sun., 7 a.m.-3 p.m.; 800 S. Des Plaines St.)

8. Highlight a traditional Hispanic dessert at mealtime with a visit to one of Bombon’s four locations. The neighborhood bakery is known for its Tres Leches Cake, a vanilla sponge cake soaked in three types of milk with hints of rum, sweet vanilla, cream and cinnamon. They give it their own twist with variations like Amaretto and Peachy. (West Loop, Pilsen, Little Village and Chicago Lawn)

photo: The Kids’ Table

9. Create a Mexican Fiesta as a family with hands-on cooking fun at The Kids’ Table. Families will make Quesadillas, Broccoli Guacamole and Pina Colada Milkshakes. (Sep. 13, 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m; 2237 W. North Ave., Wicker Park)

10. The fun in the kitchen doesn’t stop there. Taste Buds Kitchen is looking to spice things up with an adult-only, BYOB Mexican Feast. They’ll help you whip up your favorite recipes from street-style Carne Asada and Crispy Fish Tacos to handmade Guacamole, Lime Crema and Mexican Street Corn. No celebration is finito without made-from-scratch Corn Tortillas, you won’t believe how easy they are to make. (Oct. 4, 7 p.m.-9 p.m.; 2521 Waukegan Rd., Bannockburn)

photo: The National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture, Jane V. via Yelp

11. Visit The National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture, the only freestanding cultural institution in the nation devoted to Puerto Rican arts and historic exhibitions year-round. It’s located right here in our Humboldt Park community. (3015 W. Division St., Humboldt Park)

12. Sign baby up for classes at Rayito del Sol, Chicago’s first full Spanish Immersion program that had their grand opening this summer. Geared toward ages 6 weeks to six years, Rayito del Sol offers full and part-time childcare and its award-winning programming allows kids to consciously grasp both the Spanish and English languages. (2550 W. Addison St., Roscoe Village)

13. Work your way along Clark Street, from Devon to Touhy Avenues, tasting samples of signature dishes in the diverse Rogers Park neighborhood for Taste of Clark Street. The community celebration will include family-friendly activities and live music, including Mariachi Sirenas, Chicago’s first and very own all-women Mariachi. (Sep. 22, 2 p.m.-6 p.m.; 6950 N. Clark St., Rogers Park)

photo: Daughter of the Cuban Revolutionary, credit Steve Gunther

14. See Goodman Theatre’s midwest premiere of Daughter of the Cuban Revolutionary, a one-woman tour de force telling the tale centered on three towering figures in her life: her father, Raul, who co-wrote the manifesto for the Cuban revolution with Fidel Castro; her uncle, Eddy, who was the frontrunner for the Cuban presidency in 1951 before committing suicide; and her mother, Dalia, Miss Cuba runner-up in 1959. (Oct. 8-13; Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn, Loop)

15. Attend HispanicPro’s networking event on the rooftop at Godfrey Hotel and meet some of Chicago’s most prominent Latino organizations for an evening of mingling, cocktails, light bites and celebrating. (Sep. 13, 6 p.m.-9 p.m.; Godfrey Hotel, 127 W. Huron, River North)

16. CSO Latino Alliance is celebrating their 5th anniversary with a tribute to the great Mexican composer Silvestre Revueltas. The event will include a rare screening of the film Redes (1935), one of the early examples of Mexico’s Golden Age of cinema. Before the film, musicians from the Civic Orchestra of Chicago will perform Revueltas’ String Quartet No. 2. Stay after the film for a Q&A with Angel Gil-Ordóñez, who conducted the PostClassical Ensemble in the recording of the score you will hear. (Sep. 5, 6:30 p.m.-10 p.m.; Chicago Symphony Orchestra, 220 S. Michigan Ave., Loop)

photo: Mariachi Herencia de México

17. The free and open to the public YAS! Fest is Chicago’s largest celebration of young artists and youth arts organizations. The day will feature the creative work of musicians, actors, dancers, artists and visitors can explore youth arts programs from across the city. This year’s fest will include a performance by Latin Grammy Award-nominated ensemble Mariachi Herencia de México. (Sep. 21, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; 201 E. Randolph St., Millennium Park)

18. Sign the kids up for a sugar skull workshop. Participants will have their own sugar skull to design while learning more about sugar skulls, the history Día de los Muertos and what it means to many. The workshop offers age-appropriate knowledge and experience worth remembering and passing along to new generations.

— Maria Chambers

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Easy Ways Parents Can Raise Their Kids to Be Bilingual in English & Spanish

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How to Teach Your Kids a Foreign Language When English Is All You Speak

By Mara Vorhees

I have plenty of friends and acquaintances in international, multilingual marriages who are raising their children to speak two and even three languages. Fantastic for them. But what about the rest of us plain old English-speaking Americans, with plain old English-speaking spouses? I know several languages well enough to get into trouble, but not well enough to make any of them a primary means of communication around the house. (Seriously, communication is hard enough in my mother tongue.)

Fortunately, even monolingual families can raise multilingual children – or at least expose the next generation to the many challenges and rewards of communicating in a foreign language.

School

The most effective way for kids in a monolingual family to learn a second language is to attend a language-immersion school. We were privileged to send our twin sons to a Spanish-immersion preschool when they were three years old. It was a wonderful place – warm and welcoming; the teachers were nurturing and supportive for kids as well as parents; and the twins were interacting in Spanish for 12 hours a week. Here, for the first time, the twins began to sing songs, recite words and occasionally speak spontaneously in Spanish. It was expensive, but not more so than other private preschools in our region.

When it came time for kindergarten, we had the chance to apply for the two-way English-Spanish immersion program in our school district. This cutting-edge program includes kids from both English- and Spanish-speaking families. Classes are taught in both English and Spanish, so that the students gradually develop fluency in both languages. Such a program offers an excellent opportunity for families that are committed to raising bilingual children.

This type of program is not a good fit for everybody, however. Our family, for example, was unwilling to give up the community and convenience of our neighborhood school. Fortunately, in our increasingly global world, there are other options for teaching kids a foreign language, and not all of them require a full-time commitment.

At-Home Instruction

With no other practice, at-home instruction is unlikely to lead to fluency in a foreign language. But modern technology means that kids can learn and practice basic reading and communicating skills – with or without an expert teacher on-hand.

For the youngest children (age zero to six), Pimsleur has a series of videos called Little Pim – a nice gentle introduction to sounds and vocabulary, available in 12 languages. Rosetta Stone has a “Built for Homeschool” program geared toward older kids.

Other options vary greatly depending on your language of choice. For Spanish, a homeschooling friend recommended Risas y Sonrisas, which is a complete curriculum of songs, games, skits and workbooks for elementary-aged children. It requires a fair amount of direction from a parent or teacher, but they do not need to be a Spanish-speaker to oversee the lesson.

Other options range from on-line videos to smart-phone apps (some for free). Again, no one program by itself is likely to teach your child a foreign language; but all of them will help, especially if used with regularity.

Extracurricular

Over the years, we have also experimented with a variety of after-school programs and summer camps, including Hola-La, Yak Academy and some other local providers. The programs are similar to each other, in that they use songs and crafts and movement to help the kids learn vocabulary words and common phrases. The teachers speak only Spanish (or whatever language); and the curricula keep the children engaged and entertained.

The afterschool programs are usually one or two hours a week. Truthfully, this is not enough time for a child to gain fluency; but it is valuable exposure that will help them retain knowledge and/or prepare them for future instruction. Summer camp is a more intensive option, offering 12 to 20 hours of instruction a week.

Travel

This is my favorite way to get the twins speaking Spanish. When I had a one-month writing gig in Costa Rica, I signed the twins up for a few weeks of language instruction. They made a friend. They learned some new words.  And at the end of the first week, they stood up in front of the whole school and introduced themselves in Spanish. By the end of the second week, they were practicing basic greetings and introductory questions on strangers.

So, there is something to be said for learning a language in an environment where everyone around is actually speaking that language too. Suddenly, kids get why this is important.

If you don’t want to send your kids to school while they’re on vacation, they can still brush up on some basic vocabulary, using the First Words series by Lonely Planet Kids. The books teach 100 of the funnest words in English, French or Spanish, and Mandarin, Japanese and Italian due out in March next year. Just being able to ask for an ice cream or read a sign is an empowering first step for children in a foreign country.

***

The options for kids to learn a foreign language are many. The most effective method is the one that can be implemented with consistency and persistency. It takes time and effort to learn a language – even for children. The more hours they can devote (preferably at least 3-5 hours per week), the more likely they are to learn. And the longer the instruction persists (preferably several years), the more likely they are to retain their knowledge.

The good news is that exposure to foreign languages is beneficial for children, even if they don’t become bilingual. Early exposure will make language acquisition easier later in life, when they finally get around to learning a second language in earnest. Even if they never achieve fluency, studies show that exposure to a second language abets cognitive development, boosts abilities in the native tongue and improves academic performance across the board.

Most importantly, learning a foreign language allows children to become adept cross-cultural communicators and more tolerant citizens of the world. Even if that is the only benefit of their language instruction, it is time and effort and money well spent.

Featured Photo Courtesy: Mara Vorhees

Mara Vorhees is a family travel expert for Lonely Planet and its imprint, Lonely Planet Kids. She often travels with her twin boys and shares their adventures on www.havetwinswilltravel.com. Lonely Planet Kids inspires young adventurers to explore the world around them with educational and informative books. Learn more at lonelyplanet.com/kids. 

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Kochavim Hebrew Immersion Program at Neveh Shalom

by Tina Ly

Kochavim (Stars) is a fun and dynamic immersion-style Hebrew program for your 3-8 year old in an after-school setting. Youth play and learn in a Hebrew-speaking environment, using music, art, active games, stories, yoga, dance, computers, and drama. Kochavim is an amazingly positive way for children to gain second language skills while having fun with peers, laying a foundation of comfort and delight in Hebrew language and Jewish culture that will last a lifetime. Nationally recognized for our innovative curriculum and excellent pedagogy, we also offer a parent-tot program called Notz’tzim (Sparkles) for children ages 0-3 and their caregivers.

Neveh Shalom
Contact: Mel Berwin | mberwin@nevehshalom.org | (503) 246-8831
www.nevehshalom.org 

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