UPDATED June 17th, 2017
Perhaps you’re fluent in Spanish or know the basics, but your kids are not picking up the language as quickly as you’d hoped. You may think it’s because you live in the United States or that you don’t have enough time to teach them. Whatever the reason, don’t get discouraged just yet. Here are seven simple ideas for learning Spanish.
Don’t miss out on the chance to make your child bilingual!
1. Get an intercambio.
Exchanging one good or service for another can be easy and a money-saver. When I studied in Spain, I put up a flyer for an intercambio in order to learn basic Spanish. I would meet other students from the University of Granada for informal tutoring sessions in conversation and writing and offer them English classes in exchange. I have also done this in the U.S. and found that meeting with people from a variety of countries helped me gain exposure to different Spanish-language regionalisms.
My favorite tip on this list is the last one — COMIDA!! Food really helps to connect with one’s culture… i would add one more, MUSICA!! my son is 17 months and he shakes his bonbon to cumbia, vallenato and some oldies Abuela puts on for him!!
You know what also works? Watching traditional comedy shows! Kids love to laugh and find jokes appealing so they want to imitate them. Watching El Chavo del Ocho works wonders!
Your articule was so inspiring! It motivates me to continue with my mission to raise two bilingual kids;) THKS!