MUZZY language courses for children....have you used them?

[collision]

We are keen for the boys to speak Italian and wondered if Muzzy was any good.

Has anyone used it and is it worth the money?

We have the french one and I was amazed at how much my 3 year old has enjoyed it. She knows the odd word but asks to watch it alot. Have to do it while DH is out thogh - he hates it!! Have you tried e-bay for a cheaper copy?

Ebay is a good idea tho I have never used it.

I will have a look.

What worries me is that children don't usually start languages at school until seniors so what happens if your child already know stuff? Do they have to start from scratch again?

According to the literature you get with the Muzzy courses starting languaues at senior level is harder. The easiest time to learn and second language is when you are learning your first as your brain is more susceptible. I certainly know a brother and sister both under 5 who are fluent in english and greek and amazingly they don't get the two languages mixed up! I wonder which language they think and dream in, must ask them!! :)

I just picked up French level One in a charity shop for $2.00. I think that there might have been another one there. Shall I look tomorrow a.m.?

I was not encouraged by the fact that it was all still in the package and only one page had writing on it but DS2 (4) really enjoys the video so it can't do any harm.

Think a language is usually introduced during KS2 . I think all these things have to be reinforced by general conversation at home, within the family or in a school environment in that language.

DS1 is 4 and learning french at nursery which will then be carried on in Sept when he starts primary school.

DH is Italian and does speak to both boys in Italian but ds1 is not interested. We thought if we made it more fun then it might help.

MUZZY seems expensive if it doesnt work so Im interested in the responses.

Cadmum if collision doesn't want it then we would love it please!

Sorry Cadmum....didnt mean to ignore that! we are looking for the italian one.

No problem!

I can highly recommend the \link{http://www.therosettastone.co.uk/en/?_session_id=826135017693f86599213ba37d49506f\Rosetta Stone} language software. We bought the German one and DS2 is learning at an astounding rate because he loves to sit at the computer and use the mouse.

Sorry Flowertot: I didn't see your message. I will look tomorrow. If it is there then you can have it for the postage.

At DD's school, they have a French lesson from the age of 5-6 years old. We have the French Muzzy but still haven't watched it. I have heard it is really good though.

Just not sure about the expense when DH is Italian anyway!!

My sisters used it when they were kids and we tried with mine with the Italian but not great. My children weren't interested perferred Italian TV, and my sisters (now 21 nd 17 respectively) don't speak much Italian dispite coming at least 6 weeks of every year of their life and having GCSE in Italian (their both too shy). However, my parents are a little overcritical so makes us all a little shy to speak in fron of them.

However, your children have you husband and yourself just to play with in Italian so that might act as a positive reinforcement rather than the negatuve we all received!

BTW, how things?

Thanks MaryPop.

We are all well and enjoying the weather! the restaurant is going well and we are all v happy and glad to be back in the UK.

How is Italy and all that goes with it? Any probs or no regrets??

Our baby is now just 2 and have been using muzzy in spanish for about 8 months. He loves it, I am learning as well, we also use other books and dvds, you really have to want to do it and use once every day. Also use the words you learn along with everyday stuff so it becomes normal. It also depends on age of child. Babies from 6 months are able to learn sounds and remember them which is lost by the age of about 18 months! That is why adults find it hard to learn another language. They are expensive but you can get them on ebay sometimes.

DS (4) has been doing Muzzy in Italian for 2 days and is already saying the words!!

DH is doing it with him and he is really impressed.

I cant believe it!

Hi Collision, just back from a week in the UK and we were tourists for a week. Had fun but it was a bit strange at times as well as very rushed. No regrets at all but at times very difficult!!!

Glad to hear the restaurant is going well, where did you decide to move to in the end?

Hi - was just going to ask the same question today - my sister was interested in finding out about Muzzy for her DD (5) and DS (3. Any more experiences to add?

I've thought about Muzzy but I thought it looked a bit 'dated' when I saw it advertised.. what are your thought's on this?

Dd is 4 and I've been toying with the idea of Muzzy since she was two..

I think it is quite good but it is dated and the storyline is a bit scary I think in places with the severe looking police in it! We have both volumes.

It is expensive but you can get it on ebay and pay in instalments if you buy it new.

We had the Muzzy when DS was three, but he didn't really get into it. He is about to start French at school (he is 6) so it might come out again.

Didn't help my French!!

Just thought I'd update this as I've been investigating Muzzy Spanish (thought someone could buy it for DD for christmas). It is quite expensive new, though there are cheaper options via ebay like others have said. However, I've found two websites where they sell language books/dvds etc that are much cheaper than Muzzy (linguatots was one and little linguist is another) so I'm going to give those a go first. Amazon also has some good basic stuff for kids in other languages.