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Note: This article features our recommendations for homeschool foreign language curriculums for early elementary students. You may also be interested in our homeschool foreign language recommendations for older elementary, middle school, and high school students.
There are many excellent foreign language curriculums available to homeschoolers. At the early elementary level, learning a foreign language is especially valuable for children, and it can also be one of the most fun components of your homeschool. By being exposed to a foreign language, children also learn about geography and a foreign culture. Learning another language will also help your children cement their developing understanding of the English language.
Don’t worry if you don’t know the language you choose to teach your child. The programs available at the early elementary level start from the ground up, with no proficiency in the foreign language necessary on your part. Our favorite options for early elementary homeschool foreign language curriculums are listed above. Scroll down to read more about each one and to see some of our other favorite foreign language resources for kids!
Our picks for the best foreign language curriculum for homeschoolers:
- Best reading-based: Language Together series, Germaine Choe
- Best computer-based: Rosetta Stone Homeschool
- Best for classical homeschoolers: Latin for Littles, Mary Ellen Tedrow-Wynn
- Best for American Sign Language: Signing Time DVD Series
Best reading-based
Language Together series, Germaine Choe
Designed for kids ages 3-8, the Language Together series offers three foreign language options – Spanish, French, and Mandarin Chinese (available in both simplified and traditional characters). The program consists of short readers that many parents compare to Bob Books – simple, fun stories and pictures that build students’ knowledge incrementally. Each set includes 10 readers and access to online audio recordings. This series is a great option for introducing early elementary students to a foreign language. Younger siblings (including preschoolers) will get a lot out of this material as well.
Spanish for Kids: Set 1
French for Kids: Set 1
Chinese for Kids (Simplified): Set 1
The series offers two sets for each language. The available sets are:
- Spanish for Kids: Set 1
- Spanish for Kids: Set 2
- French for Kids: Set 1
- French for Kids: Set 2
- Chinese for Kids (Simplified Characters): Set 1
- Chinese for Kids (Simplified Characters): Set 2
- Chinese for Kids (Traditional Characters): Set 1
- Chinese for Kids (Traditional Characters): Set 2
Best computer-based
Rosetta Stone homeschool is a fantastic foreign language curriculum option for students of any age, beginning in the early elementary years. The program focuses on immersion and includes speech technology that can listen to and help correct your student’s pronunciation. The program keeps track of the child’s progress, making assessment a breeze for parents. The online lessons can be downloaded in case internet is not accessible.
We love the variety of languages offered by Rosetta Stone Homeschool. The options includes Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, Dutch, Tagalog, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Irish, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Farsi, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish (Latin American or Castellano).
Rosetta Homeschool has various subscription purchase options from which for can choose. The Single Student 12-Month subscription is the best choice if you want to try the program out for one child over one school year. Other options are also available, including a 24-Month Family subscription that can be used by up to three students (studying either the same or different languages).
Best for classical homeschoolers
Latin for Littles, Mary Ellen Tedrow-Wynn
If you are following a classical homeschool methodology, you may want to begin your child’s foreign language instruction with a course in Latin. This program provides a gentle and approachable introduction to Latin that is appropriate for kids in grades 1-5. The child will learn two words each week, including correct classical pronunciation.
This is a great primer for children who will continue with classical languages down the road, but it is also valuable for kids who will move on to other (modern) language studies. This basic introduction to Latin will also prove useful in helping young children understand the idea that words have an origin and that you can help identify a word’s meaning based on that origin.
Best for American Sign Language
American Sign Language (ASL) is becoming an increasingly popular foreign language option for homeschoolers, especially as more states, schools, and universities recognize ASL as a legitimate foreign language. ASL is an especially good option if your child is a visual, tactile learner. The 13-DVD set from Signing Time offers an excellent ASL course for early elementary students. Each episode introduces 30 new signs, with the instructor carefully showing children how to make the sign correctly. Music and movement are also incorporated into the program!
Signing Time: Series One
Signing Time also offers a sign language science series course called Rachel & the Treeschoolers. If your child enjoys the Signing Time series, he or she will certainly love this series as well. It also forms a great supplement to your child’s science studies.
Other Foreign Language Resources for Early Elementary Students
High Five Bilingüe Magazine
From the publishers of Highlights, High Five Bilingüe is an excellent supplement if your child is learning Spanish. It includes fun stories in both Spanish and English. Although the magazine is geared more toward preschoolers, kindergarteners and first graders will also enjoy the content and fun illustrations.
Little Pim
Available on Amazon Prime Video, the Little Pim series exposes kids to foreign languages through fun videos staring the panda bear Pim. Each video lasts about 30 minutes and focuses on teaching vocabulary through various themes, such as eating, counting, or feelings. Languages featured include Spanish, French, Mandarin Chinese, Italian, German, Japanese, Arabic, Russian, Korean, and Portuguese.
Spanish Bingo
If your child is studying Spanish, this Carson-Dellosa Basic Bingo game is a great way to practice vocabulary. This game includes enough cards so as to be played by a small or larger group or homeschool coop.
Conclusion
The early elementary years are a wonderful time to introduce your child to a foreign language. Fortunately, there are many excellent curriculum options to choose from as well as other resources that will help your child thrive in learning a new language. If you are interested in teaching your child latin, check out our article Best Latin Curriculum for Homeschoolers – Elementary. If you have questions or want more information, please email us!