Good Students make it so hard to write...

My little girl is not making it easy to write about her.  Each Saturday I wake her up, let her know we're going to class which immediately gets her excited, then drop her off and go to Starbucks.  She just loves it, so it's easy to wake her up a little early, but since I'm down the block I don't have much idea what she's doing.

Or do I?  As a parent I have to be aware of my child's education, otherwise I'm letting the school system (and Language Stars) raise my children.  When Leili is at day care every day we ask how she behaved, although we don't usually have to ask, and the teachers raise their concerns or cover her in praise.  The same conversation needs to take place every Language Stars class, and fortunately they are making this very easy.

About every two weeks, there's probably a regular schedule that I haven't noticed, so I can check that today the theme is sports.  Last week it was a birthday.  Today's learning goal is to describe actions, using phrases like ¿Que´ estas haciendo? and Yo estoy jugando ("What are you doing?" and "I'm playing" respectively).  At home it's difficult to get Leili to answer in Spanish, but not in the classroom.  Since she isn't aware that the teachers speak English (it's immersion remember) she always answers back in Spanish.  I've noticed subtle changes at home too, as she more frequently answers questions in Spanish.  Since I've got the plan for the week I can try and use it in my own stumbling Spanish.  In this way we re-inforce the learning.

Language Stars is still working out very well for us, as a supplement to Leili's Peruvian mother, which is great because it gives me plenty to keep writing about.  Once I get my coffee in  me of course.

I Don't Need You Daddy

Yesterday was Leilani's first day with the kid's only class, a bittersweet moment for me.  On the one hand, Leili is early for the class and I'm very proud that she's doing so well.  On the other, well she doesn't need daddy to go with her anymore.  Instead I head to the Starbucks around the corner and fiddle on the computer while she starts learning about larger sentences and concepts.  They told me that Leilani did really well for her first day, probably because she already goes to day care and is used to being left behind.

Since I am not actively participating in the classes, it's time to start taking a closer look at the "Big Book of FunImmersion" to help reinforce Leilani's Spanish at home.  The book, which is given to all parents by the Language Stars staff, is essentially the textbook for your student.  For example I am look at the "Learning Goal" page for "to be and to have" structures which is what Leilani covered this week.  Language Stars has what they call the "learning ladder" where students progress from simple answers such as "Si" or "No" and move up to the child asking questions themselves.  Right now Leili is capable of answers like "Ella tiene pelo rubio."  which means that "She has blond hair."  provided she is given a little prompting.  At the next level she would be asked "¿Cómo es ella?" and she would give a more articulate description.  Around the house Leilani occasionally does give larger descriptions in Spanish, but generally she uses English, although that could be so I understand.

In addition to that, I think I'm going to start listening to Spanish language CDs.  I bought some a long time ago, when I first started dating my wife, and used to listen to them while running.  This led to some weird scenarios where I'd pass people saying, "Que es esto" and getting weird looks.  In addition I also took continuing education classes at a local junior college.  In spite of that I sill only speak enough Spanish to get made fun of, and I'd really like to be able to understand my daughter when she's sixteen and telling me she hates me in Spanish.  To that end for her benefit, and mine, I'm going to try and keep up.  At least a little bit.  I have an hour and a half at Starbucks now, after all.