"MUZZY sets students up to succeed in foreign language."
Teacher Veronique Schneider of Florida
“Pendleton’s multilingual curriculum was built around MUZZY.” See video >>
"The kids love it!"
Teacher C.J. Czelusta of Texas
Fulbright Scholar and teacher of Spanish and German reports that his students enjoy learning with MUZZY See video >>
|
Success Stories from MUZZY Teachers, Parents and Alumni
MUZZY is successful around the globe and internationally recognized for its approach to language learning.
Read on to see what MUZZY teachers, parents and even some MUZZY "alumni" have to say about their success with MUZZY.
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
Kathy Siddons is a Spanish Specialist and is among the most respected teachers today in early language education, reaching out to help other teachers through her website Anacleta and through the popular Ñandu listserv. When asked about using MUZZY, Kathy replied, "The pace is perfect, I feel, for world language instruction… Muzzy is a serious means to learn more Spanish… Muzzy is too valuable to be used just as a filler for when the teacher is absent." |
|
| |
|
"If you've got MUZZY, that's all you need!" Angela Lewis was told at a Conference of Language Educators. She has since used MUZZY in her language program in New Braunfels, TX. Angela finds that MUZZY is perfect for reaching students of varying learning styles: "Because the students understand so much more when we give them opportunities for visual and physical, kinesthetic communication, we use MUZZY as an ideal methodology and teaching tool that lends itself well to using dialogues and role play." |
|
| |
|
Nathan Lutz not only speaks four languages (English, Spanish, French and German), he has also taught at all levels, including college. Currently teaching elementary school, Nathan also is the Vice President of the Foreign Language Association of Central New York (FLACNY) and state representative for New York in NNELL. Nathan is also a firm believer in MUZZY, pointing out that it is MUZZY's ability to immerse children in a world of language that really produces results. |
|
| |
|
John Welch is a senior at Virginia Tech University, where he was inspired by the example of Jocelyne Couture-Nowak, his French professor killed in the tragic school shootings, to bring a vibrant love of language and French culture into nearby elementary schools. John founded the student organization "Teach for Madame" to do this. John is a MUZZY alumnus and has begun using the program in the classroom. MUZZY's cheerful, stress-free approach to language learning fit in perfectly with John's own infectious enthusiasm. |
|
| |
|
Ruth, a French teacher, knew that MUZZY would work in her classroom because her own kids found it so enjoyable and effective. Ruth's family moved all around Europe when the kids were still little. "Every time we'd get to another country, we'd hurry up and get the next MUZZY Course." She has found MUZZY to be just as effective at school. "I love teaching young kids French. I can really see how MUZZY as a tool helps kids—they are growing so much from it and integrating MUZZY lessons into the school day is so easy." |
|
| |
|
MUZZY is everywhere, including Guyana, thanks to Cecily Bernard, the director of The Language Institute of Guyana. Cecily tells us she spent years looking for a suitable program, and "finally found it all in MUZZY… MUZZY uses the natural way a student learns. There is no more cramming each night for students, or memorizing language concepts they do not understand. Through MUZZY’s natural means of singing, storytelling and role play, language learning becomes a natural, second nature and enjoyable process." |
|
| |
|
As a Peace Corps volunteer in Azerbaijan, David has turned to MUZZY to teach English. "The teachers are very interested in learning new methods that really work, and they all demonstrate that MUZZY works!" he says. "MUZZY uses simple, universal narrative structures, allows language absorption at a reasonable pace, and keeps student interest. It's never boring. It uses immersion, allowing learners to start using functional language and acquire grammar easily and naturally in the process." |
|
| |
|
At Pendleton School in Bradenton, FL, teachers see MUZZY as a huge advantage. Foreign Language Chair Stephanie Watson tells us, "Our MUZZY kids are far more successful and heads above students arriving here who didn't have MUZZY. MUZZY students have much more intuitive language skills… The elementary age students who've used MUZZY, upon entering 6th grade are so advanced in their productive language skills that they are well above most high school levels."
|
|
| |
|
C.J. Czelusta first encountered MUZZY in his high school German class. "12 years later I have a BA in German, a Fulbright Scholarship, a Master's in Education and have embraced the challenge of beginning a language program," says the young man who gives MUZZY credit for starting it all. "Research suggests," he says, "that if you reach fluency before the age of 12, you ensure that you not only retain the potential to learn subsequent languages, you also increase your brain's ability to absorb more information from many subjects." |
|
| |
|
When funding for foreign language education didn't come through for Timber Trace Elementary in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, parents raised the money with the help of administrators. Timber Trace quickly became a model of what is possible using MUZZY materials and methodology. Within just a few months, MUZZY fever took over the school. There were MUZZY Spanish theme parades, plays and fiesta nights. PTA treasurer Carilynn attributes much of their success to the strength of the unique MUZZY design and methods. |
|
| |
|
Back in 1993, Kerry T. used MUZZY to teach French to elementary students at a top school in Chicago. Years later, we received an update: "Those 16 students in my first MUZZY class have just graduated from high school. You might be interested in knowing where they are headed. They will be attending Brown University, Johns Hopkins, the University of Chicago… and other top schools." "MUZZY really stays with them," she told us. "I firmly believe that MUZZY opens children's eyes and gives them more than just a foundation in French." |
|
| |
|
Luis and Terri knew the importance of giving their children all the benefits of learning languages from the earliest ages. And the results followed. In 9th grade, their son Ben told his mother, "I seem to know a lot more words and have a much easier time with languages than the other kids." He is #1 in his class and, thanks to MUZZY, she says his pronunciation is great. "Even now, Ben will watch MUZZY with [brother] Andy," says Terri. "Ben uses MUZZY for language reinforcement and pronunciation." |
|
| |
|
"Alex started using MUZZY soon after he was diagnosed with autism," writes Alex's mom Jan. "The engaging characters and story line along with the lively music were able to hold his interest for much longer than most educational videos and games that we had tried in the past. As a visual learner, it was beneficial to him to be able to watch the same program in English and Spanish. It made it much easier for him to learn the words and be able to use them in the right context." |
|
| |
|
Benjamin's father was born in China and wanted his son to learn the language of his heritage. He tells us, "From the time Benjamin started MUZZY Chinese seven months ago, he never thought of it as language education at all. Subconsciously, he must know which language switch to turn on. All language is natural, and switching is natural to him…MUZZY is highly engaging and interactive. You learn without knowing it or working at it." |
|
| |
|
Ernestina Meloni teaches Italian at The American School of London, developing foreign language standards for elementary schools. "MUZZY is an extremely good tool," she says. "MUZZY reinforces vocabulary, speaking and understanding… it makes them feel comfortable, because MUZZY follows a spiral methodology, whereby things are introduced gradually, and they're reinforced little by little. And this is a normal and natural way of learning… I think MUZZY is THE program to use!" |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MUZZY
is New Again!
Beautifully restored with enhanced picture and sound.
See Sample >>
|
|
|
|
"[MUZZY's]
continuing story
line can't be beat,
it really lends itself to creative and appealing lessons for children...episodes
link nicely to the introductory topics we have in our current district curriculum...the
pace is perfect for world language instruction...."
-Kathleen Siddons, Spanish Specialist in Connecticut and a recipient of a national
NNELL Award at ACTFL
|
|
|
|
|