Hi there -
I would love my kids to learn something of a foreign language while young - but I’ll never get them to sit in front of a CD-ROM.
Videos are a little short, too.
I’m wondering if anyone knows anything about possible language courses being released on DVD? I don’t see any around at the moment, but the market is ready for them.
I haven’t yet met anyone who properly learned a language by listening to tapes or watching videos. YMMV, but caveat emptor.
That said, I just wanted to say that I maintain and improve my existing foreign language skills (which I developed in a classroom and through conversation with native speakers) by watching foreign-language movies on DVD, or English-language DVDs with an alternative foreign-language audio track, or English-language DVDs with foreign-language subtitles.
Yes, I like to try to use alternative language tracks where possible, but on DVD these are usually text only.
The kids are only 4 and 1, so I’m not trying to push them to fluency - but a basic awareness of the sounds used would be nice, along with some basic words - “my name is…” “I am … years old” etc. Especially for the 4 year old, btw - not the 1 yr old. 
Does anyone in your family speak another language? The best way for little kids to learn languages is to hear other people speak them and to be actively involved in the conversations. Watching stuff on the boob tube is passive and not as likely to be beneficial.
Ah, but my eldest already knows a couple of words of Spanish from watching Elmo’s “Fiesta”!
Anyway, I’ll just have to keep my eyes open…
There are people who learn by ear. I had twins in my English class you learned German from watching German TV stations and pretty much just that but such abilities are rare. But saying a person does manage to learn a foreign language by watching TV or DVD’s, that doesn’t mean that they can speak it as that takes practice speaking and it doesn’t mean they will retain it since they will not be using it. If one parent speaks the language with the child, then there is a much better chance of his/her retaining. But please make sure the language use is clearly defined to either certain periods (one day a week, for ex.) or to one person as otherwise the child runs the risk of mixing two or more languages and speaking none which makes instruction in school harder.
I, Brian,
Just for the record, don’t be too dissimssive of getting your infant to try a new language. In fact, s/he’s pro’lly in a better position to achieve the goals you’ve set. Though the child mightn’t seem responsive, but this is an ideal time to work on the basic elements of language (sounds, grammar, etc.).
I’ve not seen any language courses on DVD, but you’re right, it does sound like a good idea. And though many folks will mention the warning friedo gave you, it’s good that you’re looking alert the kiddies to other languages. Good luck!
Thanks!
I agree with this, and would like to add that there is one more critical factor: the children have to do their part. They have to want to learn the language.
In my home, we speak Portuguese. My 10yo nephew (who lives with us) has spent the majority of his life resisting this, and to this day, he cannot speak the language. Nevertheless, when he is in Brazil and finds that he can only communicate with other children in their language, he picks up an awful lot in a few weeks.
My point is, there has to be some motivation for them to learn the language as well, else they won’t do it (just like forcing kids to take music lessons doesn’t work if they don’t buy into it).
I agree with those posters who say interaction is very important for language acquisition.
The best way to teach your children another language would be to hire a nanny or au pair or babysitter who speaks your language of choice. In the U.S., it would be fairly easy to find a spanish speaking woman to interact with your children, for example.
Au pairs aren’t as expensive as people think, in fact I think they’re downright affordable, for what they have to do.
http://www.childcare-online.com/aupair_info.htm
I’d seriously consider hiring an au pair, if I really wanted my child to learn a foreign language. Those first few years are critical for language formation, and you probably have to learn some of the foreign language yourself in order for this to work- it needs to be constantly reinforced.
I’m speaking from the experience of having learned two languages as a child - it really is true that you lose it if you don’t use it. It’s also true that the child has to be motivated in some way or another (not responding unless they ask for something in the language works as a motivation too). I hate to say this, but the chances of your very small child picking up a language you don’t speak, is pretty slim, unless you live in a community where everyone speaks it. I know too many immigrant children who can’t speak their parent’s lanuage - and they hear it all the time at home.