Spanish Immersion at home

Incorporating Spanish in a consistent basis is an essential part of learning the language. This is why Spanish Immersion classes are the best approach you can take to learn a second language. It is only when you immerse yourself in the language, that you start to make internal connections of how the language works.

But how do we do this when we don’t have the time or can’t afford to spend a prolonged amount of time abroad?

There are actually several ways that you can approach a Spanish Immersion at home. To our benefit, the United States’ Spanish speaking population is growing at hyper speed and this is causing us to have a broad access to resources at our fingerprints. In addition to this, the internet now is as powerful and diverse as never before so it it should not be too complicated to incorporate Spanish on a more consistent basis.

Here are a couple ideas, that I try to do with my kids:

• Create a daily schedule and label it in Spanish (Make sure you include pictures). This is a fun way to see Spanish right from the start of your and your child’s day. The printable that I designed has pictures and is of course labeled in Spanish. I have also attached a couple ideas to hopefully help you get the most out of this resource. from playing a matching game to watching the video I created to practice correct with the correct pronunciation to laminated and creating your own schedule and taping it to the wall, etc. You can use the one I made here:

• Label as many rooms in the house as possible. You can take this activity as far as you feel comfortable with. I literally labeled everything in my previous house from the fridge to the windows to each bedroom, etc. I have yet to do it in this house because we are currently “fixing” our house and a lot of construction/painting is happening, but once I am able to label things, I will certainly do it. Scroll to the bottom to download the labels I have created for FREE!)
• Set up a book shelf or basket filled with fun Spanish books (make sure no English books slip in there!). The following list has a little bit of everything to make it very exciting for the kiddo. Fiction, non-fiction, etc. You get the idea. Here’s the list with great options I found online:
  • Children’s favorites set of 6 books: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Spanish-Favorite-Books-Set-of-6/281734057?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=369
  • Animal adventures (raising readers) set of 12 titles https://www.christianbook.com/rising-readers-fiction-animal-adventures/9781478802907/pd/802907?en=google&event=SHOP&kw=spanish-20-40%7C802907&p=1179710
  • “I am in Control of Mysel set of 6 books: https://www.orientaltrading.com/myself-readers-i-am-in-control-of-myself-small-book-spanish-set-of-6-a2-13835673.fltr?sku=13835673&cm_mmc=GooglePLA-_-Free-_-Google-_-13835673&BP=PS555
  • “Let’s Explore Life” set of 10 books : https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/lets-explore-life-science-grades-2-3-spanish-10-book-set-teacher-created-materials/1130673007?ean=9781425824891

• Lastly, audiovisuals are great ways to support Spanish Immersion at home. What kid does not like “screen time”?! Perhaps you can use their screen time and make it educational by allowing them to do activities in Spanish. Here are a couple ideas:
  • Do they have an iPad or tablet? …then install a couple apps for them to practice vocabulary!
    • Gus on the go you’ll be able to get an intro to topics like colors, numbers, animals, and more. For iOS and Android. Recommended for ages 2-5 or for new Spanish learners. Only available version is paid, at $3.99
    • DuoLingo for Kids Through games, kids can learn whole phrases and sentences in Spanish. FREE
    • FabuLingua teaches Spanish through interactive storytelling. This one is a beautiful app. It presents the language in context instead of teaching selective vocabulary.
    • ABC Magico-Abecedario This app is designed to teach the sounds of the alphabet letters, with three game levels and images for each letter. It’s pretty neat, my kids really like it.
  • Do they have a favorite movie that they love and almost know it by heart? Then let them watch it but set it up in Spanish. (I use the library at least once per month to get their absolute favorites!) Make it fun by providing a yummy treat. Have popcorn and lemonade for example so it is a “fun” activity all around for them.

• It is also important for your child to see you excited and engaged in learning Spanish too so try to model that for him/her whenever possible.