'Fun' Spanish for Y8 DS

[LittenTree]

DS, almost 13 and in Y8 is doing Spanish as his MFL.

Now, I know I am about to come across all 'pushy parent' here but I feel it would be enormously to DS's advantage if he were selected to do a second MFL in Y9 (it'd be French). The school have made it clear that the DCs do not have to study both to GCSE, and the decision about whether to allow a DC to do a second MFL will be made on their performance from now til the end of the year.

Although our secondary say they don't stream, officially, we found just about every teacher at the recent parents eve telling us which ability group DS was in! His Spanish teacher said she had umm'ed and ahh'ed about whether, at the end of Y7 to put DS is her 'middle group' or 'top group, and chose the latter and feels her decision was vindicated. She also made it very clear she thinks DS, with a bit more self-confidence, could do very well in Spanish.

DS says 'I'm rubbish at Spanish'- but he also says this about a lot of the other subjects he's quite good in. I sort of think he says it to get me to say 'Oh no you aren't, DS, you're pretty good!'. Bear in mind he's 12, and basically doesn't have the maturity to understand that if by putting a bit more effort in now he is buying himself choice.

So, this is the thing- can anyone recommend some fun stuff he might do, either online, a DVD or TV programme that just might prick his interest in Spanish a bit more? DH can speak colloquial South American Spanish (and I will go off on a tangent here: I am a bit annoyed that DH persuaded DS to choose Spanish over the other MFLs (DS wasn't that bothered either way, I should add!) but DH does very little to 'help' DS with his Spanish. DS comes to me to hear him do his Spanish as I am calm and encouraging; but, like Manuel, I know nothing. DH isn't calm...I guess some people just aren't natural born teachers!)

I know I can't make DS get 'into' Spanish more but I see my job as being leading that horse to water!

Any one?

My DS yr8 does Spanish and French. He began both in year 6, but it wasn't really until year 7 that things got more serious. Like your son, he says 'I'm no good at languages' on a regular basis, but his language teacher says otherwise, and in my DS's case, I suspect it's his inherent laziness that leads him to say this (lots of work involved in languages).
Learning two languages at the same time is beneficial imo... although we've had to deal with the business of mixing the two together at times!
Have you tried the BBC online language resources?? I think they are fun and might appeal to your DS?? What about a penpal? Would that appeal?

Thanks, any other input, anyone?

Spanish pop songs on YouTube? Random, I know, but I only yesterday I was encouraging (well, forcing) ds to experience "Vamos a la playa" , a tremendous Euro hit if ever there was one. You can see versions with the words underneath. We are Eurovision fans and ds was moved to investigate previous Spanish entries. Well, every little helps!

(Psst, LittenTree, I think I've sussed you are a fellow T parent. Frankly I am rather dismayed (nay, appalled) at ds's language attainment. Two and half years of French and he can barely conjugate the simplest verb.)

A Th, CF parent? Oh yes.

I knew I knew you from somewhere but I couldn't recall if it was Th or having gone to the same GS!

I would recommend the BBC MUZZY dvds. They are aimed at children from pre-school to 12, so your DS is just on the upper border, but it should still work.

www.early-advantage.com/

They are quite expensive, but ime well worth it. I think they are guaranteed, so if your DS really hates them (if he finds them slightly babyish) you can send them back for a refund.

I would recommend that at first you actively do them with the children, ie watching them and encouraging them, even if you don't speak Spanish.

My children did them in German from ages 8 and 11 (when they started German). The younger one - now in Y8 - still asks to watch them just before German tests.

I have a DD the same age who is being more of less coerced into doing Spanish GCSE in year 9 (some components are about a year away!). I found that our local library had quite a good selection of easy books in Spanish - some picture books, but also Harry Potter etc - there are also some on ebay. I also googled and found the Nick Spanish site, it had some clips of her favourite programmes dubbed into Spanish. I think it may be possible to watch some programmes on TVE but haven't tried yet. Some DVDS we have a Spanish version incorporated. What about the promise of a trip to Spain if he translates? Not sure if there might be a Spanish teen mag he could subscibe to?

RE Muzzy - we tried the old video version a number of years ago. Not sure if it has improved since but my kids thought is was rubbish. Maybe look at the clips on the internet.

What's the 'Nick' Spanish site, kensingtonia?

nickolodeon (not sure of spelling) - or is that just a girl thing?

Hi Spanish language rock music is a good idea, but you should look for stuff a bit cooler than vamos a la playa. My favourite is a Mexican band called Mana - their live recordings are fantastic - they sing political songs like donde van los desparecidos, and cuando Los Angeles lloran - lyrics that really get under your skin - as well as more mainstream rock - and you could also try shakira, although she is much harder to understand.

If he was a girl, I would recommend my favourite - lunas rotas by rosanna - I love this record. I bet there is tonnes more good stuff. Have a listen on u tube and see if you think he would like it.