FAQ's for Curious Parents
We know you have questions on how it all works! We have lots of answers in our FAQ’s below.
Getting Started
How many kids are in each class?
How much does each class cost?
Ages 4-6 – $12 per class
Ages 7-11 – $17 per class
Ages 12-18 – $19 per class
Do I need to attend class with my child?
Not at all! I fact we ask that you do NOT sit with your child in class and translate, or push your child to respond. The method does not work this way. They will respond when they are ready. Those who listen, typically, are those who speak a lot later on, because they were figuring things out by listening for many months. So trust the process please, as every child speaks at a different speed.
What video platform do you use?
We use Zoom for our online classes. If you don’t already have the software installed on your computer, you can download and install it now. Browse their support center if you have any questions on how to use it.
How do I access the online classes?
Our classes are hosted on Zoom‘s video conferencing platform. You will receive an email 30 minutes before class starts with a link to the class and access instructions.
We recommend you make sure your device is up to date and meets all system requirements before class.
How will I get access to the video library?
What is a Drop-in class?
If we drop in to one class in the middle of the 4-week session, will my child be confused?
We suggest starting from day one of a 4-week session so your child feels confident in the themed curriculum. You are welcome to drop into a current session to try it out, but please realize that it will be a themed curriculum that the children started previously. So if your child is a completely new student, start on day one of a session for the best results. Tenured students typically feel comfortable dropping in at any time. But for beginners, we want them to get comfortable in an immersion environment and not feel overwhelmed!
Do you speak any English in the classes?
Very infrequently. Only to explain some types of instructions or specific schedule information. English is not needed and immersion is proven to have the most impact and give the most progress for fluency.
Do kids understand what you’re saying if it’s only in Spanish?
Yes, they do! Your children learned English by you gesturing, showing pictures, or pointing at what you were talking about so that they understood.
We do the same in Spanish. We have pictures showing on the screen at all times, or the teacher is pointing or expressing what he/she means. Your kids might have a moment of “huh?” but very soon they will understand and start to respond.
Choosing the Right Class for your Child
How do I find the right class for my child?
The right class for your child depends on their current knowledge of the Spanish language. We have Beginner, Dual Language, Spanish Conversation, and Native Speakers Get Confident classes available.
My child has had Spanish before. Where should we start?
Even if your child has had Spanish before, please start with 4 weeks of Beginner 1, unless they speak Spanish in the home, or they have had 3+ years of dual language in elementary school (this means 4 hours a day of Spanish only for 3 or more years).
If your child is above the Beginner 1 level, they will feel good in this Beginner 1 class and get to know our methods. After 4 weeks, we can tell you if your child should be in Beginner 2 or a higher level. If a child starts too high, they might feel uneasy. But if they start in Beginner 1, then they enjoy the classes and get a good feeling about Spanish first.
This sets them up for success long-term with fluency. We will reach out to you and suggest a higher level if we believe your child is at the wrong level.
How do you categorize the levels for each class?
BEGINNER classes are for those that do not hear Spanish on a daily basis – and have had less than 300 hours of Spanish exposure in the last three years. They could be complete beginners or those who had a weekly Spanish class in PreK or in elementary school. They might know a few words and phrases but cannot have any type of conversation or dialogue.
DUAL LANGUAGE classes are for those that have heard Spanish daily for 4 or more hours over the last two or more years. They approximately understand 50% of what they hear. They are not beginners and have somewhat of a native ear due to the exposure. Maybe parents speak it at home but have not pushed the child to speak it. Or they are in an immersion program at school but don’t have a lot of chances to practice everyday, regular conversation. These students are hesitant to respond, or refuse to respond, but can respond fairly well if they have the right environment. We provide this environment.
NATIVE SPEAKER classes are for those who speak and understand Spanish 80% as well as they speak English (or whatever their first language is). They hear Spanish throughout the day and speak Spanish to mom, dad, or teachers without much hesitation and do not search for too many words (but some words). This class is to build confidence speaking, broaden vocabulary, and even begin reading more challenging books and discussing them (depending on age). This class is to help the native Spanish speaker reach a higher level of confidence in their second native language.
How do I know if my child should be in the Beginner classes?
Your child belongs in a Beginner class if he/she:
- knows nothing about Spanish. No experience necessary!
- knows some words and understands some phrases.
- HAS NOT been at a Spanish immersion school for 2+ years
- HAS NOT had dual language for a year.
This class is considered A1 – A2 beginner/upper beginner Spanish.
My child knows no Spanish. Will they be behind?
The Spanish conversation level will be adjusted depending on the level of each student or the group as a whole. We always meet each child at the level they are at, rephrasing questions based on the level of the child – so questions might be different from child to child, and answers might be different based on Spanish exposure of the child. Rest easy – we meet your child exactly where they are so that the environment is fun and relaxed.
We don’t speak ANY Spanish at our home. Can my child still be successful?
How do I know if my child should be in the Dual Language classes?
Our Dual Language classes are for kids who have been in Spanish schools for one or more years – they hear Spanish daily, respond with ease, but are still not super confident with speaking in Spanish. We move more quickly in these classes with the expectation of longer answers. We encourage them to talk more, make complete sentences, not avoid the verbs, and correct tiny mistakes.
My child has been in immersion for years. Do you have a class for his/her level?
Yes! For kids who have been in Spanish schools for one or more years (hearing Spanish daily, responding with ease, but still not super confident speaking) we recommend our Dual Language classes. We move more quickly in these classes and we expect longer answers. We encourage the kids to talk more, make complete sentences, not avoid the verbs, and correct tiny mistakes.
How do I know if my child is ready for the Spanish Conversation Club classes?
The method and/or approach is like all of our classes: The Bellieu Method, which focuses on real, everyday conversations. We try to incorporate the student’s personal interests in the Spanish conversations so that they can make friends, be comfortable asking questions, travel, read books, and eventually work (if they want!) in Spanish.
We start with very basic conversations for those with no experience up to one semester. For those who have already had three semesters in school, we practice using all that they have learned. We watch short clips of movies, read articles and discuss, read a chapter of a book, and more.
How do I know if my child should be in the Native Speakers Get Confident Speaking classes?
This class is for children who have one or more parents speaking Spanish regularly in the home. We work on increased confidence, fluency, vocabulary, and start reading books with more advanced vocabulary according to the level of the children, ages, and interests.
I’ve spoken to my children in Spanish since they were born and we speak Spanish in the home. Do you have a class for them?
Yes! We call it the Native Speaker class. We will work on increased confidence, fluency, vocabulary, and start reading books with more advanced vocabulary according to the level of the children, ages, and interests.
Classes & Sessions
What is a session?
A session is a group of classes in a 4 week period. Each session has a unique theme and curriculum so that we can talk about a different aspect of conversation every month.
We have a variety of 4-week sessions to choose from: three days a week, two days a week, and one day a week.
How do I schedule an entire session of classes?
First, choose and click on your preferred session class day/time from our Class Schedule page. In the Booking Options section, be sure that “Semester” is selected and click the Register button. This will register you for each class in the session.
Are the lessons the same on weekdays as on weekends?
How do I register for only a class or two?
First, choose and click on your preferred session class day/time from our Class Schedule page. In the Booking Options section, be sure that “Drop-In” is selected and click the Register button. You will be prompted to select from the available dates in the session. You can choose as few or as many as you would like.
How do I choose different days & times for classes?
First, choose and click on your preferred session class day/time from our Class Schedule page. In the Booking Options section, be sure that “Drop-In” is selected and click the Register button. You will be prompted to select from the available dates in the session. You can choose as few or as many as you would like.
There is a M/W/F class session, but we can only attend M/W. Is it okay to only attend two days a week for the whole 4-week session?
Absolutely! Tons of parents do this. Our goal is flexibility and ease.
Choose and click on your preferred session class day/time from our Class Schedule page. In the Booking Options section, be sure that “Drop-In” is selected and click the Register button. You will be prompted to select from the available dates in the session. Select all the Monday & Wednesday classes!
How do I cancel a class?
If a class has already begun, you can transfer to another class time. If the class has not begun, we can do a refund. Reach out to support@trufluencykids.com.
What happens if I miss a class? Will I be charged anyway?
The Path to TruFluency
How many classes per week can I sign my child up for?
How many classes do you recommend my child takes to become fluent in Spanish?
How long will it take for my child to become fluent?
First, we have to define what “fluency” means. Fluency is the ability to easily and clearly talk about any subject. This is an extremely high level. With that being defined, it takes 600 hours of exposure and conversation to be able to work in the language (or go to school in the language).
At every respectable language school in the world, the same amount of time is used to express fluency for English speakers to learn Spanish. Hours must be used, not days or months. These hours are also used with government language programs.
Our goal for your students (at minimum) is a basic level of fluency (A2+ or B1), which takes 300-350 hours of exposure and conversation. It takes roughly 100 hours for A1 level (super basic) and 200 hours for A2 level (advanced basic).
How many years does it take to get to a basic level of fluency?
We must speak in hours and not days, weeks, or months if we want to be honest and precise. Someone who takes one hour a week will not learn the same as someone taking five hours a week, so we cannot talk in weeks or months.
If you’re taking two classes a week (1-2 hours a week), it will roughly take five years to reach 300-350 hours. If you’re taking three classes a week (2-3 hours a week), it’s closer to 3-3.5 years. If you’re taking three classes during weekdays and also a weekend class, it will take closer to 2.5 years. That is why immersion is so critical.
fF you’re translating or speaking a lot of English in the class, then we would have to double these numbers for how long it would take, because so much English is being spoken in class.
We strive to make the most of the time we have in order to give ultimate progress.
What can we do outside of class to help our kids with Spanish?
What if we have no time for "homework" or work outside of class. Is it still worth it to attend?
Yes! Your child learned English through talking and listening to you. Not through worksheets. The main component is the class time to talk and listen. Just attend for great results.
Do we have to do extra work outside of class to be successful with Spanish?
Surprisingly, no. The talk time in class (listening and responding) provides the most progress. So a worksheet or video outside of class is not going to move the needle a ton. Don’t stress about outside of classwork.
Will it help some? Yes, of course.
If you don’t do it, should you drop out of the classes altogether? Not at all! Attending classes is the most important thing.
We only have time for one class a week right now. Is that enough?
While we suggest a minimum of two classes per week, we know that there are times during the year that only one class a week is possible.
Our suggestion is to never stop completely. You can go up or down in number of class hours per week as needed!