Do I have to be good at the language being learnt?
However good or bad you are, there are useful things you can do to help. If you are willing to try, learning alongside your child can provide a real stimulus to both of you. All the software is carefully structured, clear and above all – fun!
Can my child get on with the software on their own?
Yes, but it’s a good idea to watch your child using the software sometimes. Many activities are scored. Challenge them to try and achieve a higher score on a particular activity. Inevitably, some activities are more fun than others. You may need to encourage them to attempt some of the more ‘serious’ ones. Another factor that should motivate them to get a good score is that access to the adventure game depends on it!
Is there any speaking practice in the software?
Yes. (The speaking activities require a microphone.) This is where your child listens to a short dialogue and then takes the part of one of the speakers him/herself, imitating the speaker and recording his/her voice into the gaps. Alternatively, he/she can give an entirely different and personal response.
Should I test my child regularly on what he/she has learned?
That depends on the child. Some children respond well to being tested – especially if they can demonstrate how well they are doing. Others will react badly to it. What you need to avoid is dampening their enjoyment of the subject.
Should my child be getting the spelling exactly right?
This will depend on the expectations of the teacher who may wish to keep the emphasis on listening and speaking in the early stages. However if your child proves capable of learning spellings accurately there can be no harm in encouraging this and it is sure to come in useful later on. |
