Mr. Lee's Help Page for HomeSchool Spanish
We are working on a complete introductory Spanish program for homeschoolers which will
offer a true academic study opportunity for homeschool students wishing to acquire a solid
academic background in Spanish in preparation for advanced placement in college. The program
is based on the principles which have been incorporated into our regular Spanish instruction
program over the last 33 years of my experience in teaching Spanish. Students have had a lot
of success with this and many have related to me that their preparation for college was superior
to that which many students receive in public high schools. A number of our students in the
past have been able to test into 300 level classes (third year of college). Many have commented that the work that they
have done in college was relatively easy for them, compared to students from other backgrounds. A
number of our former students have gone on to become Spanish teachers and use these same principles
in their own classes that they teach. As the so called performance based "standards" have seemingly
drifted further and further away from the logical core elements of language instruction, we hope
to offer a realistic and viable alternative to homeschool students who are seeking a more academic
and challenging approach which is based on real language instruction standards derived from what
we have learned from linguistics, combining the best of the past with a modern approach that takes
advantage of the possibilities offered by modern technology and the wide diffusion of computers in
our everday lives.
Current technology has allowed us to approach this in a much more effective format than was possible
in the past for distance learning outside the classroom. The auto-tutorial materials will be delivered
to the student via the computer, taking advantage of the progress which has been made in this area.
Our program will be offered in the form of a CD which can be used on a computer, using either Netscape or
Internet Explorer. Interactive lessons with sound files for listening comprehension and
pronunciation practice are included in the package. To take advantage of this software, the student
will require a machine with a sound card and software capable of playing mp3 sound files. We have made
every effort to include the kind of drill and practice experiences that a student would have in
our classroom to develop a strong mastery of grammar structures and patterns, leading to the
development of true speaking and comprehension skills in Spanish. This is not just
another "tourist conversational" approach which relies strictly on rote memory learning of phrases,
but is rather a true academic introduction to Spanish for the serious student who wishes to prepare
for the foreign language requirement which exists at many universities and colleges. Initially,
we are working on the first level, with the expectation that a student who works diligently would
be able to complete what would normally be considered at least a full academic year's work in Spanish.
In the future, we hope to be able to offer a second level, and perhaps a third, for students who
wish to pursue the study of Spanish at a higher level.
If you would like further information, please contact us by E mail at the following address:
rlee@bloomington.in.us