available native speaker for foreign language…now what?

Well, I’ve never had this neat opportunity, but if I did….

I guess I’d first ask your friend what kind of time she has to devote to this and what she thinks would be a good time frame. Maybe 2 hours is too long but she could handle 45 mins? Maybe you’d like to start with just a try-out period in case it just doesn’t turn in to what either of you would like? Give it a month and reevaluate then? Maybe ask her what she thinks would be best. Make sure you agree on simple things such as whether there will be just conversations, and casual time or if it will be more structured with tests and such. Ask if she would need copies made, notebooks provided, etc.

As far as specifics, I think it depends on how old your kids are. Mine are 6 and 9 and we’re starting Spanish this year. Do your kids already know some of the language? We are starting from square one and I think I’d start out with a native speaker reading simple, recognizable stories like Three Little Pigs and Billy Goats Gruff. Or maybe doing songs like Jesus Loves Me or Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, but entirely in Spanish. I think it would spur my kids’ interest to hear something kind of familiar, but still different and challenging. Once they had heard one or two stories/songs each session, maybe they could pick out a few key words and she could ask questions like “What did the big bad wolf say?” With multiple choices of words that are similar in sound (the equivalent of “Woah” and “wow” and “When” and “Why” – or whatever), and have them give the answer verbally only. I think I’d keep everything verbal and audial for starters and introduce writing and reading much later.

I think I’d start out with twice a week if your friend can commit to that. Read aloud the selection each time, more slowly the first day, more quickly the second, followed by questions and review the second day.

You could get pretty creative at Christmas time with food items and carols, etc.

Just a few ideas since I noticed no one else chimed in….. HTH!! And I hope it is a fun ‘class’ for your kiddos.