Language Learning for Homeschoolers
Language Learning for Homeschoolers
Vista Academy is proud to launch its inaugural Spanish level 1 courses for fall 2021. The duration of the course is one school year, at which point the student will be prepared to start Spanish level 2.
Has your child already taken Spanish 1? No problem, gather a group of five students or more and we will open a customized class tailored to your child’s needs. This option also allows you to enjoy the discount benefits of our referral program.
Tell your friends about Vista Academy courses! If you refer anyone to Vista Academy, you will receive a 10% discount towards your child’s tuition. This discount can be used towards Vista Academy tuition or towards private tutoring sessions. Please click on “request more information” below.
Language learning is paramount to success in the 21st century. Research shows that learning a second language boosts problem-solving, critical-thinking, and listening skills, and has a direct impact on increased creativity, flexibility, and confidence. Language learning is linked to numerous other life benefits, especially for homeschooled children and their parents.
Increases knowledge about other cultures—otherwise known as intercultural competence. This coveted 21st-century skill will help your child function effectively across cultures, think and act appropriately, communicate more effectively, and collaborate with people from all across the world.
Provides an innovative learning environment where students can learn a new language and practice speaking with their instructor and peers.
Gives parents and learning coaches a break from direct instruction in an extremely specialized content area.
Enhances a homeschool transcript and student-skill portfolio for college and workforce readiness; employers are increasingly demanding multilingual, culturally competent employees.
The Vista Academy teaching team is comprised of highly qualified, trained native-speaker instructors who have extensive experience teaching Spanish in a variety of settings. In addition to their academic qualifications and general training, all Vista Academy teachers must complete specialized, rigorous training focused on research-based, best practices in online language instruction.
In order to meet the different learning styles and schedules, we have developed two learning tracks at Vista Academy: ¡Olé! and ¡Bravo!.
The foundation for both courses is the same—high quality curriculum in an online setting that provides real-time feedback on your child’s performance. Both are flexible, innovative courses for homeschoolers to build skills in speaking, listening, reading, and writing in Spanish. All classes are led by experienced, native-speaker teachers. The curriculum for both learning tracks is accessible on a desktop, laptop, or mobile device.
What differentiates ¡Olé! and ¡Bravo is the degree of flexibility and autonomy offered in each. The ¡Olé! learning track is completely asynchronous and self-paced. While the ¡Bravo! learning track is also self-paced, it requires two weekly 30-minute meetings via Zoom, in addition to other interactive partner work.
Vista Academy’s curriculum is designed for beginning-level students with little or no previous knowledge of Spanish. Students are introduced to the vocabulary and grammar of the Spanish language while simultaneously developing their listening, reading, writing, and speaking skills. In addition, they are exposed to the rich culture of the Spanish-speaking world through authentic sources such as articles, videos, and TV commercials.
| Vocabulary | Grammar | |
|---|---|---|
| Module 1 | Greetings and goodbyes
Identifying where one is from Courtesy expressions |
Nouns and definite articles
Numbers 0-30 Present tense of ser Telling time |
| Module 2 | School-related vocabulary
Names of academic courses Class schedules Days of the week |
Present tense of regular –ar verbs
Forming negative sentences The verb gustar Forming questions The present tense of estar Prepositions of location Numbers 31 and higher |
| Module 3 | Vocabulary for family relationships
Names of professions Surnames and families in the Spanish-speaking world |
Descriptive adjectives
Possessive adjectives The present tense of common regular –er and –ir verbs The present tense of tener and venir |
| Module 4 | Names of sports and other pastimes
Names of places in a city |
Present tense of –ir
The contraction al Ir a + [infinitive] Present tense of common stem-changing verbs Verbs with irregular yo forms |
| Module 5 | Terms of traveling and vacations
Seasons and months Weather expressions Ordinal numbers (1st-10th) |
Estar with conditions and emotions
Adjectives for conditions and emotions Present progressive of regular and irregular verbs Comparison of the uses of ser and estar Direct object pronouns Personal a |
| Module 6 | Terms for shopping and clothing
Colors |
The verbs saber and conocer
Indirect object pronouns Preterite tense of regular verbs Demonstrative adjectives and pronouns |
