Children's Music group with a twist to it - it would be in Spanish and French?!

[Summersbee]

Hi, I'd like to know what people think of the idea of a music group in which children would learn lots of songs in Spanish and French. I have just recorded a variety of traditional children's songs in Spanish and French which are now available on itunes, but I chose these particular songs with a children's music group in mind, and when I tried to set up a class last Autumn I didn't get much response.

Should I persevere and try again this Autumn, or is this not of interest to English mums? Maybe I should just concentrate on the CDs? I'd love to hear your thoughts ...

What age of child are you aiming your sessions at?

One of mine would like the MFL aspect but not the music, while the other would like the music but not the forrin languages. Maybe that was the trouble...your sessions rely on DCs having an interest in French, Spanish AND music?

Maybe you could find out which MFL your local primary schools seem to favour and just focus the session on that one language, rather than attempt both?

I think it's a great idea, and don't know why people would like it less than French or Spanish classes. After all, you can learn a lot through songs.

Maybe it's a question of spelling out the advantages to the parents?

Good luck.

My girls would enjoy a French one... Would you like to hold a class in our village? Mondays would be good. :)

Thanks for the positive feedback - I was feeling in need of encouragement in this monolingual country!
I don't like to ram things down people's throat, but you're right, I need to find a way of showing people the value of what I am up to.
As well as teaching children some lovely nursery rhymes and traditional tunes from other countries, my aim is to give children the opportunity to exercise those vocal chords and develop a good accent in French and Spanish.

I have set up a website as well, and as soon as I can I am going to put recordings of lots of vocabulary on the site for children to click on and listen to for free.
Thanks, you have spurred me on!

Make sure you remind them that there is a link between developing an 'ear' for music and being good at foreign languages. If you can learn a song you are not only developing your memory but remembering a tune - both of which are useful skills for languages.

Hope it goes well.

Sounds good.

La Jolie Ronde French classes seem to include a lot of songs, so why not?

Hi! The earlier you start hearing and making sounds in other languages the better as far as developing a good accent.
Ideally very small children should be given the opportunity to hear and practise sounds in other languages - an advantage that children from other countries have because English is so dominant (music, TV, films etc..)

If possible, I would run two classes, one for young children with their carers who also learnt the songs, and then another class for primary school-age children. Lots of the songs have actions and sound effects so we could have a lot of fun.
But here's me getting excited about something I haven't managed to get off the ground yet!

As for choosing French AND Spanish - well, I agree with your point. In fact, having produced a joint CD, I have now also separated the songs into individual language CDs as well .... I do think it would be fun for children to look back and remember songs they had learnt in each language though - it might spur them on to greater things!
Thanks for the feedback :)

I couldn't agree more - thanks!! :)

Also, when I put my collection of songs together I made sure there were quite a few with actions which would provide another way of helping children learn the words, and I put these between some lovely tunes, again to carry people along and help them remember!

I'll be away on holiday soon, but I shall take up this project with renewed vigour on my return! A music centre near me is willing to host one of my classes if there is enough interest, so hopefully people will sign up on a list they are putting up while I am away! Fingers crossed!

:) thanks for positive feedback! I don't know where you are but I would if I could!!

Great! Another positive response - I shall keep going! Thanks :)

I think it's a French or Spanish group with a musical twist to it rather than the other way round IYSWIM.

Which is great!