BJU Press Blog

benefits

What Benefits Does BJU Press Spanish Offer Homeschool Families?

by


Most of us took some time in high school or college to study a foreign language. For me, the only option available in high school was Spanish. So I took my required foreign language courses—all three of them.

By college, my understanding of the Spanish language helped me test out of first semester Spanish. And truth be told, my textbook from second semester was full of tic-tac-toe and other word games. But my final grade proved I already knew that material too.

I’d like to share how the BJU Press secondary Spanish curriculum contributed to my success as a language learner because I know it can give your junior high or high school student a solid foundation in the Spanish language too.

3 Benefits of BJU Press Spanish

The courses focus on developing communication skills, but they don’t neglect the vocabulary and grammar skills that make clear communication possible. By emphasizing clear communication, the curriculum seeks to prepare your son or daughter to share the gospel with Hispanics in their own language. And to do that effectively requires mastery of both the words and the syntax.

Vocabulary

Your teen is introduced to everyday words in groups by focusing on specific contexts, for example family relationships, talking on the phone, or cultural events. The words are seen on paper (usually with an illustration) and heard on the included recordings. Opportunities for students to listen to and model their pronunciation after native Spanish speakers come in the CD sets included with the subject kits. Also included in the back of the student text are reference tables and a glossary. These pages provide additional help for vocabulary words such as the calendar months, numbers, and the gender of a specific word (masculine, feminine, or neuter).

Grammar

A high school student who becomes familiar with the new words and sounds can also begin to understand Spanish grammar. The verbs are covered in depth since they must agree with other parts of speech, especially the nouns and pronouns.

Each lesson in the student text presents key verbs and other parts of speech for your child to learn. Examples of grammar concepts are given in the context of how they should be used. The student activities manual includes more oral and written exercises for your high school student to apply what he or she is learning. And all the correct answers are provided too!

When I began to learn the structure of Spanish, my understanding of English was also strengthened. How everything works together became clearer. Your high school student will probably have a similar experience—and maybe his or her English grade will go up!

Learning clear communication (vocabulary and grammar) allows your high school student to see the structure of the Spanish language and understand it. It also engages your child in critical thinking because the curriculum provides a grid to use in choosing the best part of speech by understanding the proper tense and gender. But there’s also a third unique benefit to BJU Press Spanish curriculum.

Video Lessons

If you have any hesitation about teaching your teen Spanish, it will probably ease your mind to know that someone else is available to teach these lessons. BJU Press offers Spanish video lessons that your high school student can use. Our Distance Learning teachers are fluent Spanish speakers, but they also speak in English so that the student doesn’t become frustrated during the lessons. The video sessions are around thirty minutes in length, and each course lasts a whole school year. Meet Mrs. Kuhlewind, our newest Spanish teacher.

Today it amazes me the words and conversations I can recall and understand when I happen to hear something in this beautiful language. Much of that understanding can be attributed to the thorough education I received using the BJU Press Spanish curriculum. My belief is that it can benefit your high school student the same way it did me.

Making Homeschool Easier

by

When you think about how to describe homeschooling, what words come to mind? Most parents probably think of words such as love, joy, knowledge, and fun to describe the interactions and bonds that are shared with their children. But I’ve noticed that the words easy and simple generally aren’t associated with homeschooling.

mom sitting at computer working on paperwork

Parents who have homeschooled know that grading, organizing lesson plans, and keeping track of student records can be a stressful, time-consuming process. What if I told you that there was a way you could effectively manage teaching lessons, grading tests, constructing lesson plans, and organizing gradebooks? It’s hard to believe, but BJU Press Distance Learning Online makes all this possible . . . and more!

Distance Learning Online (DLO) delivers a high-quality biblical worldview education by providing daily video lessons for your child that can be watched from a web browser on almost any device. Expert teachers with years of experience teach fun and interesting lessons that your child can work through individually. Most textbooks, tests, and quizzes are easily accessed from the same simple login. Quizzes and tests are accessed online and are graded instantly, saving you valuable time that can be spent on the important things. Gradebooks and records are conveniently stored digitally, ready to be accessed anytime. It’s like having your own digital teacher’s aide right in your home. Read more about how the features of DLO work.

screenshot of BJU Press Distance Learning Online Gradebook for World History

DLO in Your Home

DLO is simple to set up when your kit arrives. You can learn more about getting started.

The school day begins when your child logs into our simple web interface. He can see the next available lesson and is able to work through it on his own at his own pace. Many of our customers who use DLO have several children learning at once. With DLO, one or all of the kids can work independently while Mom or Dad works with the others, makes dinner, or works from home.

Later while the children are playing or after bedtime, you can access the content to see how they’re doing. The answers for most assignments are available right on the lesson screen so you don’t have to flip through pages to find answers. If you disagree with how the system graded the test question or want to add an additional assignment, no problem. DLO is flexible and designed with the parent in mind.

screenshot of BJU Press Distance Learning Online Test Review

Still in Control

You, the parent are still in direct control of your child’s education. No assembly is required since DLO works out of the box, but you have the final say and the ability to make changes to lessons and grades whenever necessary. You’re also able to customize the program to meet the academic needs of your child, which leads me to another great benefit of the DLO program.

We know that not all children learn at the same pace in every subject, that’s why we’ve made Distance Learning Online in a way that allows your child to move up or down one or two grade levels in two subjects. For example, a child in third grade could use second-grade math and fourth-grade reading.

To learn more about BJU Press Distance Learning Online, please visit our homeschool website.

Three Benefits My Family Received from BJU Press Distance Learning

by

My whole world changed when Dad accepted a new job on the other side of the country. It was the middle of the academic year, and I had just turned seven. This move meant a new Christian school, a new teacher, new classmates, and even a new curriculum. It was all pretty traumatic.

I’m sure my parents had some concerns of their own: Would Meredith’s academic training measure up to the standards of this new Christian school? What support would her new teacher be able to provide? How would she fit in with her new classmates?

My experience with the new Christian school wasn’t bad, but by the end of the school year, Mom and Dad had decided it was best for my academic training to take place at home. Homeschooling quickly became a new challenge that Mom and I faced together on a daily basis.

mom and daughter sitting on couch and using a computer

As I think back on it, Mom probably had a hard time directing my focus to more scholarly pursuits when I declared that art and recess were my favorite subjects. (However, my love for reading may have helped to alleviate this difficulty.)

We each had one more concern. I wanted to know who I would find to play with since I had few friends in our new city and no siblings at home; Mom wondered if she was qualified to teach since her degree wasn’t in education.

In the years that followed, we both found the answer to our concerns. I spent my “recess times” pedaling over every square inch of a nearby park with neighborhood friends. Mom found support and encouragement through other homeschool moms, conferences, her sisters (both education majors), and BJU Press HomeSat.

BJU Press HomeSat (now called BJU Press Distance Learning) served as the backbone of my education and benefited my family in three specific ways.

A Tailored Learning Program

Every day, I watched BJU Press video lessons for certain subjects, and my mom taught me the remaining subjects. This approach allowed Mom to choose the best educational materials to complement my learning style subject-by-subject.

A Daily “Break”

It also gave both of us a “break.” I enjoyed learning from different teachers who addressed me as their audience (a single student). The visual elements (including specially filmed segments) and hands-on activities that each teacher completed with me made the lessons understandable and enjoyable. As I watched the lessons, Mom focused on other responsibilities. This “free time” allowed her to be more effective in her roles as a wife, mother, friend, and teacher. Dad also enjoyed these benefits especially when the result was eating one of his favorite meals for dinner!

A Sound Christian Education

Another benefit that I’m only now able to recognize is the fact that Dad and Mom chose to use BJU Press Distance Learning as a tool to make sure no gaps would exist in my education. They saw the importance of filtering academic subjects through a biblical worldview but at the same time were unwilling to compromise my future academic success. Their foresight in choosing BJU Press Distance Learning as well as their guidance enabled me to excel in my studies and to reach my goals.

Today I’m proud to say that BJU Press still offers Distance Learning to homeschooling families. In fact, the Distance Learning content (grouped by individual subjects or grade kits) is now offered online, on DVD, or on hard drive. You can learn more about BJU Press Distance Learning on our homeschool website.

What’s your BJU Press Distance Learning story?