Homeschool High School: Meeting the Foreign Language Requirement

A well-rounded homeschool high school program includes at least two years of a foreign language.

When we talk about benefits of homeschooling high school, this one is at the top of my list! The world is your oyster when it comes to what language you and your child decide they will pursue.

There are many resources for learning a foreign language in the high school years.

Let’s talk about the approach we have used in our homeschool with foreign language. I hope it provides you with some direction and practicality - as well as a favorite resource or two!

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Start with Latin

The pre-high school language requirement in our homeschool is Latin.

I could go on and on about the benefits of Latin - our whole family has a better grasp of language because of Latin.

Because of our involvement in Classical Conversations, Latin has been a part of our schooling from little on. I love the way we gently memorized declensions and conjugations through song.

We also included a wonderful book, Getting Started with Latin, in our morning basket for several years. These were short, gentle lessons that I could work through with both of my children at the same time. I LOVE this resource.

Formal Latin studies began in 7th grade, using the Henle Latin books in Classical Conversations Challenge A.

Learning Latin this way was very self-directed, which will work well for some children - but not for others.

My son did well learning on his own (and with the help of his Challenge tutors and myself), using Latin with Andy, and other resources offered through Classical Conversations.

My daughter, however, needed more expert teaching, so we enrolled her in the Memoria Press Online Academy Henle Latin courses. This was a wonderful experience for her, and was also a good opportunity to learn in more of a traditional classroom environment.

Whatever the case, I required my children to have two years of formal Latin learning by the 9th grade.

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Pick Your Next Language (If That’s Your Thing!)

Because my daughter completed two high school credits of Henle Latin, I think she was DONE with foreign language. She also didn’t have the love for language my son has - so she decided to take the two credits of Latin and call it a day.

We homeschool because our children possess different strengths and we want to tailor their education accordingly.

As I noticed my son’s affinity for language, I encouraged him to take a second language when he got to 9th grade. I only attempted this because we were homeschooling. I could fully control his Latin assignments, so if at any time it became burdensome we could adjust.

A few years ago I traveled to Ecuador on a mission trip with Operation Christmas Child. A couple months later my husband traveled to Honduras on mission with our church. We had the Spanish language swirling in our heads, and the people of Spanish speaking countries in our hearts.

Spanish has so much in common with Latin; it seemed like the next logical step for Grant. He agreed, so I began investigating options for him to take Spanish online. I wanted an opportunity for him to learn from a native speaker - preferably in a one-on-one situation.

I will admit that Grant was NOT 100% on board with this. I had to PUSH him and pretty much require it in the beginning. Yes, I believe in letting our children determine their path in high school, but I am still in charge of their education and do believe I know best.

Homeschool Spanish Academy

Grant is completing his first year with Homeschool Spanish Academy.

We have been extremely pleased with the model of instruction and the progress he has made.

Their model of instruction is a bit different - but here are a few things for you to know:

• One-on-one instruction; teacher located in Guatemala - lots of conversing in SPANISH during the classes

• You schedule your individual classes - and choose your own teacher for each class (we have one that we have really liked and have chosen her as much as possible)

• Receive instruction and then complete homework

• Submit homework via their website - quizzes are taken in class

• Parent “conferences” occur at strategic points during the course

To this point, Grant has. completed 1 full credit of Spanish. When you login to your account you can see the syllabus, all grades, and credits earned. I like that he is accountable, conversing a lot in Spanish, and then telling ME everything he has learned!

You can take a preview class - which is what sold us on Homeschool Spanish Academy. I highly recommend you do this if you are interested.

I know that high school and credit requirements can seem daunting. These posts may also help:

The Homeschool Journey to College

Homeschool High School: Don’t Lose the Wonder

Is your child currently taking a foreign language?

Which one?

Or, if you’re not quite there yet, what are your plans?

*Disclaimer: Last year I found Homeschool Spanish Academy and was quite impressed by them. I asked if Grant could take the classes in exchange for my honest review. This is that honest review - I’m so happy with Spanish this year and he will be continuing with Homeschool Spanish next year.

When Your Homeschooler Goes to College

Moms, it’s HARD to step back from homeschooling your child.

We made the homeschool journey to college and now I’m passing off the baton.

Being replaced (well - replaced in the educational facilitator role at least) is an odd feeling.

For the past 18 years I’ve had a front row seat to everything in her life. Now it’s time to start moving to the balcony.

So many times in the past few months I’ve had BIG revelations (which I’m also considering affirmations) about how homeschooling high school has prepared my child for this next step in her life.

When your homeschooler goes to college it is difficult on a mama’s heart - but also wonderful at the same time.

While I grieve the daily presence of my daughter, my heart rejoices at the young woman she is becoming, and I absolutely love watching her tackle this next phase of her life. As I watch her fly I KNOW we made the best educational choices for her.

When your homeschooler goes to college you will watch any homeschool doubts you had vanish into the past.

Hard Times in the Rearview Mirror

I was always very honest with you about some of the hard times we had throughout homeschooling.

In my daughter’s homeschooling years we watched my mother battle cancer and pass away. We moved my father into an Assisted Living center. We watched my father-in-law decline and pass away.

These things are HARD when you are a teenager. (They are hard when you are in your forties and raising a teenager.) We kept going with homeschool and stuck together as a family. We found comfort in being TOGETHER each day and not apart.

Many days I just wished I could enroll my children in school. We actually toured private schools when my daughter was at the end of seventh grade. It took me a while to understand that I had to follow my child through high school - let her take the lead.

Guess what? Those times are behind us now.

I look in the rearview mirror and see experiences that grew and changed us. As my daughter and I have been talking about these things she agrees. Do you know how much good that does a mama’s heart?

Confidence for the Future

Homeschooling gave my daughter some very specific skills that I am hopeful will serve her well in college:

• organization (the child uses a bullet journal to keep herself incredibly organized - much more organized than me!)

• communication skills (She knows how to speak to and email with adults - this is coming in very handy with her professors and advisor even before classes begin)

• social skills (ironic, huh? Because of her involvement with multiple age groups in high school, she is great at walking into new situations and meeting new people)

• money management (We made learning about money skills a priority - she has had her own checking account since the 9th grade and pays for everything on her own at this point. She understands how to transfer money, save money, and budget money. This is HUGE.)

• time management (She’s been managing her own schedule for two full years. I think this will help her transition to the “freedom” college will offer.)

Mom Begins A New Journey

As a child leaves the nest you will still be mothering. You will obviously, however, have more time.

This article spoke to my heart. Motherhood (being a homeschooling mom) is not my defining role.

I still have another child at home to educate, but he will be leaving home soon, too. My identity is in Christ - not in how or who I homeschool.d

(Plus, now I will be spending much more time on my SQUILT Music Appreciation Curriculum, which brings me great joy!)

And let me recommend the book Release My Grip - it has been a wonderful source of encouragement for me.

A New Relationship Begins

I am enjoying a new relationship with my daughter - one where I am NOT her teacher.

(Can you hear me rejoicing in that?)

I have loved homeschooling her, but now it’s just great to be her MOM. And even more wonderful is the development of a friendship.

My own mother and I shared a beautiful relationship, and I can see this taking place now with my daughter. I am so thankful.

Pay it Forward

I feel strongly about this.

I now have a responsibility to encourage and assist other homeschool moms in the trenches.

We need each other. We need the emotional support. We need the nitty gritty sharing of details on how to get to graduation with our homeschoolers.

If you have graduated a homeschooler, help someone else behind you. If you haven’t graduated someone yet, ask someone older than you for help.

(Have you joined my private Facebook group, Equipping Homegrown Learners? This is where I love to encourage people.)

The next time I write to you I will have delivered Anna to college. I can’t promise I won’t cry, but I will try and hold it together until we are in the car and making the drive home to Atlanta.

I remember my dad telling me that my mom cried the whole way home after they took me to college. I thought that was so silly.

I wish she was alive now so I could tell her I understand.

Moms, have faith. The homeschool journey is difficult, wonderful, messy, and joyful.

When our child gets to that next phase in their life I think you’ll see it’s all been worth it!