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MUZZY is a language course for children from the BBC. MUZZY employs a natural immersion approach, modeled on the way all children learn a first language which emphasizes the use of functional language, repetition and "spiraling." In MUZZY, words and concepts are first introduced, and then introduced again and again in many new contexts. Animated stories and engaging music surround the viewer with a second language. New vocabulary and usage are presented within a suspenseful and humorous dramatic story.
Website: MUZZY
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(6 Reviews)
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Contributor Reviews
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Cons: Story lines dated and inappropriate
Muzzy review by Rosetta M
I have tried to use the Italian version of Muzzy for my preschoolers.
Although it is paced well and has a good approach to vocabulary and phrasing for young children, The con tent is inappropriate. The storylines are dated and full of themes of sexism, misogyny, and classism.
Some of the stories might be scary for young children.
The content is very dated and not what you would want to expose your child to.
Cons: None
Grades Used: Preschool
We've been using Muzzy for a couple of months or so, we got access to all the languages for my 3 year old son who speaks Spanish already from immersion with his nanny over the last few years. He also knows some German from watching videos, going to German school, and some tutoring by me (his father) with what limited knowledge I know from a few years of language study in high school. I am also learning some mandarin Chinese and teaching him a little as well starting with numbers colors animals etc. He has also learned to count in French together with me. We figured Muzzy would be good review and repetition and vocabulary building for him. He loves the cartoon, he thinks it is really funny how Muzzy eats clocks and he talks about the various characters. He likes to watch over and over, it is hard to say how much he learns from it versus other foreign language media we use but we figure it is good comprehensible content for immersion and it is cool how you can play the same videos in so many different languages. Personally I think it is best used in combination with other methods especially one on one conversation which seems to work best in my limited experience. The more the parents learn along with the child the more they will all get out of it.
Cons: Not a standalone
Grades Used: K
My kids (K and preschool) really liked the videos and absorbed a lot from watching. However, after multiple viewings (which is encouraged by the program a how children learn) they eventually got bored with them. There were only 4 videos so this curriculum, although provided as a year long program, really wasn't workable as a standalone curriculum for an entire school year. We've been supplementing with resources from the library and internet but it's been a piecemeal year because of that. Good content, just not enough.
Cons: Could not be used to become fluent in another language
Grades Used: Level One for Preschool, Kindergarten, and 1st grade
Every Saturday morning our children are excited because they get to watch the Muzzy DVDs. They love the story and laugh at the funny parts every time. We have been studying German and they have easily picked up words and phrases. Will this give them a good working knowledge of German? No. But I think it is a good intro to foreign languages for young children. I like how it doesn't have to take any time on the parent's part. When they first started watching it, I would play the subtitles in English so we would know what they were saying. Now I put them on in German, so they can see the word as well as hear it. The oldest child (age 6) especially enjoys the computer games.
Cons: not very professional; "babyish"
Grades Used: for Kdg level
We used Muzzy by checking it out at our public library several times. I didn't care for it and found it very "babyish". I think preschoolers would like it. My son would pay attention just because it was videotapes, but he didn't learn much. The corresponding user guides left a lot to be desired for the parent-teacher. As an adult, I couldn't stand to watch them.
Cons: no real grammar
Grades Used: Levels 1 and 2
Firstly, it is expensive! However, I would say that we are using it as a building block for additional learning. We are into our second year of using it. It was invaluable last year as we traveled around the USA. We watched a Muzzy episode every Saturday as we drove to our next location (school on a Saturday!), occasionally watched the vocab dvds, listened to the songs on CD and had little conversations at other times. I studied languages and we are working with the German. The DVDs you receive have German, French, Italian, Spanish, UK & US English, so the theory is, we could have exposure to FOUR languages, other than English.
Despite not be able to understand anything in the beginning, all the kids (last year: preK, 1st, 3rd, 5th) happily sat through it repeatedly and started repeating common phrases in our daily life. This year, I am using it as a more solid base for worksheets with my 4th and 6th grader, pausing the dvd to review with them new words etc. It is great for basic conversation and understanding but does not delve into the grammar of the language. You can choose to have subtitles or not but there isn't too much exposure to the written word. Overall, I would say it's good for younger kids but won't really take you far in the Middle School range. I realize I'm going to have to do something more for my to-be 7th grader next year.