Want to know one of the most common questions we get from parents? “Can I teach my kids a language that I don’t speak at a high level?”
We love getting this question. Why? Well, it means that these parents understand the importance of being bilingual, and they realize that some degree of fluency is better than none at all.
For a great resource that takes a deep dive into this question, we recommend an article from our fellow language educators at Language 101. It’s called “How to Teach Your Son or Daughter a Foreign Language – Even if You Don’t Speak It.” We think it’s spot-on, so we want to give you a rundown of the key points, as well as insights and opinions based on our experiences here at TruFluency Kids.
Should I Teach My Kids Spanish Even Though I’m Not Fluent?
To set the stage for our discussion of the article, let’s first talk about a thread we saw recently on Reddit. The post that started the thread was from a parent asking if they could teach their kids a language that they don’t speak at a high level.
The most popular response was from someone who thought this was a terrible idea. The commenter said that kids learning from a non-fluent parent won’t have a native accent or native syntax.
Honestly, this viewpoint is a bit ridiculous. If we use that logic, then we should never do anything unless it will be done as perfectly as professionals do it. We would never take swim classes unless we knew we were going to the Olympics. Or we would never learn tennis because we knew we wouldn’t go to Wimbledon. What a sad life!
Rather, we should think about how much fun we will have in swimming or tennis classes and what we will learn — even if we aren’t going to be at a master level.
Think about giving your kids an A2 level of fluency. That’s considered a high beginner. And there’s nothing wrong with that! You’ve given them ear training that took hundreds of hours. You’ve given them tons of Spanish vocabulary words and useful phrases that took hundreds of hours to remember and use correctly.
So what if there are a few wrong verb conjugations here and there, or an article or an adjective is misplaced? The goal isn’t perfection — it’s fluency. Being fluent in a language doesn’t mean always speaking or writing it perfectly. (If that were the case, who among us could say we were truly fluent in English?) Instead, being fluent in a language just means being able to express yourself clearly and easily using that language.
Where to Start When Teaching Kids Spanish
That’s why we always reassure parents who don’t speak Spanish fluently — or at all — that they can help their kids become bilingual in English and Spanish, even though they may never be mistaken for a native Spanish speaker.
We totally understand, though, that this can feel like an overwhelming task. Where do you even start? That’s where the advice from Language101 comes in.
The article is broken down into what doesn’t work and what does when it comes to helping your kids learn a language you don’t speak. Let’s check out both categories!
Things That Don’t Work
Non-Immersive School Programs
You may have even experienced this yourself. For example, say you took Spanish for two years in high school. But today you can’t even remember simple phrases en español. The truth is that a lot of schools’ language classes don’t focus on the most important thing: conversational practice. Instead, students spend their time memorizing lists of words and phrases they’ll probably never use. Not very motivating, right?
We do want to make an important distinction here, though. Conventional language classes — like the ones you probably endured in school — don’t work very well for kids. But if your kid’s school has a language immersion program, that will actually help them become bilingual.
Even if they aren’t getting a lot of talk time, they will be training their ears to the sounds of the language and becoming passive learners. In other words, they can understand the language, but can’t speak it. The good news is these programs are becoming more and more common. We have a list of school immersion programs on our home page. Just scroll all the way to the bottom, and you’ll find it.
A focus on vocabulary and grammar
We touched on this earlier, but drilling on vocabulary and grammar won’t help your kids learn a new language. Think about it: This isn’t how they learned English, right? Instead, they listened to the people around them speaking English and started talking back to them. That’s how people become truly fluent in a second language as well. Conversation comes first; then we build vocabulary and grammar skills.
Quick tutoring
The article’s author also points out that your kids won’t learn a new language from once-a-week tutoring, or even a week long trip to a country that uses that language.
That doesn’t mean you should avoid tutoring or quick trips to Spanish-speaking countries. They can be part of your language-learning strategy, but not all of it. Just remember that kids can’t become fluent without more consistent exposure to the language.
Give Your Child the Gift of Spanish!
Things That DO Work
Immersive language experiences
Even language teachers need support helping kids become bilingual! Our founder, Micah Bellieu, speaks B2-level French, but she also has enlisted the support of a native French speaker to help her young daughter learn the language.
Micah’s helper comes over four hours on Saturdays to hang out with her and her daughter. Micah listens, interjects and learns where she can. But mostly everyone just enjoys fun activities together.
As your kids advance with Spanish, you can also hire a tutor (but really, this person will serve more as a conversation buddy). What your children do during their tutoring time really depends on their ages.
If they’re younger than 6, they can usually just play and not think too much about language. For kids 6 and older, you might want to incorporate specific games. (Keep in mind that tutors will cost more to hire than a native speaker who simply hangs out with you.)
You could also consider an au pair or nanny who speaks Spanish. This, of course, is the most expensive option, and might not be possible long term. To learn more about this option, check out our comprehensive article about au pairs.
TalkBox Mom
TalkBox Mom is a great way to learn those everyday phrases. This service will send you a box each month; then you simply learn those new phrases and use them during your daily life. They have tons of languages, as well as an audio app that goes along with the phrases.
Over the long term, you’ll need more than TalkBox Mom to help your kids become fluent. But this service will absolutely help you get underway with helping your kids learn their target language! I highly recommend it for families who want help building fluency in Spanish or other languages, but who don’t want to spend a lot of money upfront.
TruFluency Kids
Hey, that’s us! We’re proud to offer a great way to give your kids Spanish conversation practice two or three times a week with native-speaker teachers online. You can even do our classes once a week along with TalkBox Mom on your own time.
This is a great way to put together two programs and really get started with a bang, but it won’t be overwhelming. We don’t give kids any homework. Instead, we just have fun with them in an immersive, storytelling, SPEAKING environment online.
Scholarships are available for any families that need some assistance and that really want to give the gift of Spanish to their kids.
Online Dictionaries
Is there a word or phrase in English that you use all the time? Make a note of it and find out how to say it in the language you want your kids to learn. Use WordReference to make sure you’re saying the right translation in context. Then use Forvo to hear the pronunciation of a word.
More time with Spanish speakers
The Language101.com article suggests switching to a Spanish-speaking church or joining local organizations for Spanish speakers. I would add hanging out with Spanish-speaking neighbors, going to Spanish-language storytime at your library, and attending events or festivals where Spanish will be spoken.
Media in Spanish
Real-life conversations in the target language are most important, of course. But we agree with the Language101 article’s author that media in the target language can really accelerate language learning. After all, media imitates life; your kids will most likely acquire vocabulary they’ll actually use in everyday situations. We’re talking about books, TV shows, movies, music, YouTube videos — whatever your kids are into.
If your child is learning Spanish, on our blog we have some suggestions on shows, songs, books and other Spanish-language media. You’ll also find ideas for games and activities, as well as conversational Spanish you can use with your kids.
However you choose to help your kids learn a second language, consistency over the long term is key. You have to keep using your second language, or you truly lose it. It’s crazy how fast it can go away.
How We Can Help
If your children are learning Spanish, we’d love to support you. Our Spanish immersion classes are online with live instructors and available on your own schedule. From 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. CT daily, we offer classes for a range of age groups and Spanish experience levels.
TruFluency Kids is known for teaching Spanish through fun activities. Your kids will read, sing, do crafts, play games, and even cook with us. All in Spanish! We also focus on helping them speak in every lesson, so they achieve Spanish fluency.
Sign up for a 30-minute trial class now. It’s very personalized, because there are no more than four to six students per trial class. After it, you can join a parent Q & A. You have nothing to lose — and a lot to win!
