Ideas

I love this concept. My kids are in a bilingual family (English and French) and have easily absorbed both languages. Most studies I have read say that after 4 years old, languages become more difficult to learn (natively anyway) something to do the the ear. So I imagine you would concentrate on software (videos?) for the younger kids say 2-5/6 show cannot yet read, then text based for the older?
It would be nice to know more details of what you have in mind. I believe that learning another language and culture are vital and expand one's world immensely. Good luck.

Hey bcforrester. Thanks for the comments. Our first book will be delivered very shortly so we are very excited about this.

Ultimately the software would be targeted to younger groups as you mentioned as at that age as you know they absorb everything. Then we are hoping to deliver audio CD's, MP3's etc... (long car rides,etc...) and additional software and books to augment that.

I see the book reading for the youngsters to be a school or home based activity. I know that Spanish was a new language for me and going through the picture dictionaries was great with my little one but I often forgot the words shortly thereafter. Maybe for parents reading the same stories over and over a they can learn too.

Given you are in Navan which is our neck of the woods too, we have a very bilingual community with French and English not only spoken in the home but widely used in practice and heard practically everywhere. I think we can build on the functional primitives our children know from the Latin or Germanic languages and adopt new sounds.

As they learn more of these primitives the kids (and possibly adults) won't be as intimidated when they hear similar sounds in the future while traveling, meeting someone new, etc..

G R E A T!

i like the idea (mostly because i like annievee) but i would like to see more examples. when you mentioned the road trip the first thing i thought of was an 'i-spy game booklet' which would allow you to check off common road items when you 'spy' them in multiple languages.

(i was going to add a witty example at the end of my comment, but as an American, i can barely speak English very goodly.)

This type of learning will become more and more important. Multi language households are becoming very common and this hits a very interesting niche. Good work!

Well for YOU christopherritter no space we can create a Canadian English, American English educational tool for you eh? Now go eat some poutine! Salut!

G R E A T! 5*

like it!

this is a neat idea. perfect target age range - like sponges!!

suggestion to check out the Pimsleur language programs. i've been using one to learn italian - very effective techniques.

some of the concepts Pimsleur applies may be helpful info in developing or promoting your product.

all the best with it.
voxgirl

Interesting idea. Not sure about how you keep the languages from getting all jumbled up, but I like the concept.

i still don't feel like i'm getting any examples which illustrate the idea. you want to help people learn multiple languages using videos and song, i understand that part. however, from my lay perspective it sounds like sesame street or dora the explorer, both of which offer instructional videos with songs and repetition.

do you have characters that the children can associate with? do you have a unique approach which can be easily illustrated for the Cambrians? do you plan on using newer technologies such as wikis, podcasts, or streaming video for registered users? i need more! MORE! :)

I LOVE IT! Here's how we are starting. We are focusing on things that are of interest to children that they see every day. Animals, Foods, Vehicles etc... The focus is learning the words first and then putting them in a song in a tune that is already familiar to them. The next step is connecting the words into sentences...for example possibly having two different characters speaking in their own language BUT TO EACH OTHER and being understood. I know it sounds weird but I think it can be done. First method of delivery will be a book, physical thing. Next we expand the site to offer mp3 downloads, software games, etc.. I like the CH approach to points so that maybe the kids can earn points while learning to get access to "undocumented features" or additional downloads?

I need to noodle on the wiki aspect but podcasts are FABULOUS and ther aren't enough geared towards kids! If we are doing MP3's why not do a biweekly or monthly podcast at the same time! I love doing podcasts!!!

i like this!

the point system is an awesome idea. as a refugee from the world of warcrack, i know that nothing was as satisfying as gaining your next level. i've always thought this should translate better to today's educational system, seeing how grades and report cards are symbols of fear as opposed to accomplishment. this would be excellent to work on a more modernized "grading" concept.

I dont see the signifcant novelty and credence...there's a lot of language sites and cdrom software available.

Sounds like the idea is to build a taste for languages at a young age so that children would be inspired to learn from the existing sites and cdrom software when they get older. Am I correct?

Chrisotpherritter you are absolutely correct. This is why I said, Unlike language tutorials (usually single language, sometimes bilingual, rarely if ever tri or multilingual). I think if kids at a young age hear the sounds, understand the words they can evolve in a number of ways 1) when they hear a foreign language the sounds won't be foreign, they may be able to pick out words they know AND they won't be intimidated 2) books are great for the toddlers but then software for the older toddlers and beyond toddler years is appropriate then 3) evolving to communities, podcasts, and other interactive options throughy various technologies.

whoooeeee I"m getting so excited about this!

I like the concept and you seem to have a lot of enthusiasm for the project, but as several people have said already the idea needs to be refined. "I want to do what everyone else has done but do it better!!!!!" is unfortunately not a complete business plan!

Please decide what you're planning to do, lay it out in a structured format and then refine your idea so that the rest of us can get as excited as you are about it! Good luck!

I really like this idea, have you thought about distributing the content online? I think that this could make an excellent video podcast, playable on iPods and the iPhone.

simple yet enticing...

4 stars!

I love this idea, I'm a language teacher and grew up in a multi-linual house. If you need help with someone to work on it with you, I'd be thrilled.

Wow Selise thanks for the offer! I'd love to chat about the possibilities!

anytime! Just PM me and we'll talk about it. I've got a few ideas on how to go about it. A while ago I thought of a similar idea, but I never really fleshed it out and this would give me the chance to do just that.

I like language products, I just am not seeing anything in your description that makes it unique - can you be more specific?

Quote: " Learning is a matter of attitude not aptitude"
(GEORGI LOZANOV)
Teaching method: Suggestopedia.

Your thinking process appears to compliment that of Mr Lozanov, if you are not familiar with his teaching methods, may I recommend that you glance at his works, it may give you some ideas.

I have attended his classes to attain fluency in a few languages, the process is totally painless., relaxing and enjoyable, and takes around 12 hours of class time.

oh Charon this is great! His methods seem most excellent! If Only his methods were employed while I was learning latin in school....yikes...the nuns would never buy into it...education must never be pleasant...it was a rule..

I LOVE GEORGI LAZANOV!

THANKS!

Well, Deo Volunte, its never too late.

It seemed apparent to me that if you incorporated his music suggestions
(Active, for learning memory) (Passive, for long term memory) as background to your programme, children would learn much faster, and retain much longer.

P.S it works just as well for adults.

Bon Chance

Could it also be aimed at adults.