If you want to start teaching your children Spanish, don’t let not knowing the language yourself stop you. Spanish is super beneficial for kids. So they’ll thank you later for introducing them to this language. Though we get your worries.
As a language expert, I, Micah Bellieu, get many questions on language learning. I just got one that’s super important: Any suggestions on curriculum to use to teach my kids and myself Spanish?
Basically the question is what can I use to teach my kids Spanish without the help of a live teacher or tutor or babysitter, nanny…? So, you’re just a parent who doesn’t speak Spanish that wants to teach their kids, right? Got it.
Believe me, there are things you can do, more specifically, websites and tools you can use.
TalkBox.Mom
So to get started I highly recommend “TalkBox.Mom”, specifically for you guys to learn together and discover the language together.
These are thematic boxes with lots of mini conversations and phrases to use in your everyday lives. This is realistic, which I love. Plus, it’s great that it gives phrases instead of just vocabulary. So you’ll be able to implement using these phrases daily. It’s not just let’s sit down and learn Spanish. It’s actually USING it, which is always best.
The only downside is that they only have a certain number of boxes, so you can only go so far. I have an affiliate program, but I only have affiliate programs with products I love and would use personally. I plan on getting the Japanese “TalkBox.Mom” actually!
Llamitas Spanish
I also have in my home “Llamitas Spanish”. This is more geared towards reading and writing. Their curriculum works for kids from 3 to 12! I especially like this for homeschoolers whose parents know a little Spanish, but it’s not necessary.
These are beautifully written curriculums written all by a teacher, Corrie, a good friend of mine. I have tons of respect about the gorgeous curriculum she has created. It has many beautiful illustrations, so kids can get more engaged.
It consists of 5 different courses, the “Preschool Morning Binder”, level 1, level 2, level 3, and a “Holiday and Seasonal Bundle”. They’re currently working on creating level 4!
They teach academics in Spanish. That is phonic, math, and literacy skills. This is a great way to truly learn Spanish in depth.
Rockalingua
Variety is key when it comes to learning languages, because you don’t want to keep doing the same thing over and over again. We also love “Rockalingua”.
They have rock videos with songs that really help you remember vocabulary, and especially grammar phrases.
They also have comic books that come with the lessons, as well as games and worksheets all on the website. These are used A LOT by teachers who teach at schools and who speak the language, but they can be used by anyone at all.
Pimsleur
My absolute favorite if you are working on Spanish alone with your child and you DO NOT speak the language is “Pimsleur”. The kids version is called “Little Pim”. The daughter of the guy who started “Pimsleur” continued his legacy with “Little Pim”. I’ve spoken to her before! I’m in awe of them, love it, love it, love it!
Science backed, very similar to our approach, but they don’t have live teachers. So they are the absolute best thing out there for learning Spanish with your child without a live teacher. Actually, I’m going to buy the Japanese version right now.
I always forget about “Pimsleur”, but it’s the oldest company when it comes to self-teaching yourself a language, and it’s the absolute best. I would absolutely recommend this program as my number one tried and true language program for kids.
Just remember: These all have a stopping point. For example, the Japanese “Little Pim” has 12 episodes. That’s a great place to start and definitely worth it, but you can’t get too far.
Not to be a downer, but I want a program that will keep going for years, so I’m definitely going to find live online classes and also someone in Dallas, TX that can come to our house to play with my daughter in Japanese as well.
Need More? TruFluency Kids Has Your Back!
I hope this helps, and you get started with Spanish with one of these great programs today, based on your needs and abilities. But if you think you’ve reached the peak of what you can learn without a live teacher and are ready for more, TruFluency Kids is ready for you!
We’re an online Spanish immersion school for kids. This means the environment in our classes is in full Spanish, with English only when absolutely necessary.
We have live native teachers who teach through dynamic activities, so kids don’t get bored. They’ll sing, dance, play games, do crafts and even cook with us! We like to say we learn through songs, stories and silliness.
We also base all our lessons on our Bellieu Method. It consists of encouraging students to speak in Spanish in every single class. This way kids will start speaking, and continue to build on that confidence, from class 1. It’s the best way to achieve Spanish fluency.
Also, on our blog we have many resources, like Spanish activities you can do with your children or vocabulary and phrases in Spanish to use with them. Even better, we also have a Spanish learning program for adults with native live teachers: TruFluency!
