🇲🇽 🇦🇷🇨🇴🇩🇴🇧🇴¿hablas español? 🇪🇸🇪🇨🇨🇱🇨🇺🇸🇻

The best Spanish programs for kids

In the United States, Spanish is spoken by over 41 million people, making it the second most spoken language in the country. Some even suggest that it should be recognized as an official language due to its prevalence and importance. Spanish is also crucial for humanitarian work both domestically and internationally, as it allows for better communication and service delivery in diverse communities.

In this post, we’ll explore some of the best resources we’ve found for teaching Spanish to kids, ranging from learning apps to online classes, and a unique gem of a program that recruits Spanish tutors from Guatemala.

Why Teach Kids Spanish?

Families choose to teach their children’s Spanish for a variety of reasons. Here are some of the top ones we found.

1. Your First Language: Many families prioritize teaching Spanish to maintain a connection to their heritage and ensure that the language is passed down through generations.

2. Your Partner’s First Language: For families where one parent speaks Spanish, it’s beneficial for the child to learn the language to communicate with extended family and strengthen cultural ties.

3. Supplement Immersion: Children already exposed to Spanish at home or in their community can benefit from structured programs to enhance their immersion experience and achieve fluency.

4. Fluency Goals: Achieving fluency in Spanish can open doors to numerous opportunities in education, career, and personal growth.

5. Child Wants to Speak to Grandparent: Learning Spanish allows children to communicate with Spanish-speaking grandparents, fostering closer family relationships.

6. Going on a Trip: Families planning trips to Spanish-speaking countries often learn the language to enrich their travel experience and interact more meaningfully with locals.

7. Child wants to learn: Perhaps the best reason to teach Spanish is because your child expresses interest. Self-directed learning is the most powerful motivator for growth.

Considerations for Choosing a Spanish Program

1. With Languages, Earlier is Better: Typically, I find myself reminding parents that if a child learns earlier, it doesn’t mean that they’ll be smarter or more equipped in the subject later. However, since language (unlike reading) is a biological process, earlier is indeed better. Children’s brains are exceptionally equipped for language acquisition, making early exposure to Spanish highly effective. Research shows that during the early years, the brain is particularly adaptable and capable of absorbing new sounds and structures. That said, ANYONE can learn a language at any age. The brain is remarkably plastic, and that remains true, whether you’re 2 or 120.

2. Structured Path: A well-organized curriculum provides a clear progression, helping children build on their skills systematically.

3. Don’t Want to Make Something Up: Parents seeking a structured approach may prefer established programs over creating their own materials.

4. Parent is Fluent but Wants to Supplement with a Curriculum: Fluent parents may still seek structured programs to ensure comprehensive language education.

5. Native Speaker: Programs led by native speakers can offer authentic pronunciation and cultural insights.

6. Parent-Led: For parents who prefer to take an active role in their child’s language learning, parent-led programs provide guidance and support.

7. Multimedia (Books, Online Resources, Games): Incorporating diverse materials keeps learning engaging and caters to different learning styles.

8. Independent Learning: Programs that support independent learning can empower children to take charge of their education and progress at their own pace.

Our recommendations in this guide cover a wide range of options, ranging from free and independent classes and learning apps to highly-structured, parent-led learning. For more tips on approaches to learning foreign language, check out our post on the best Foreign Language Programs for Kids. If you’re looking for a 1-1 tutor, Modulo has several native speakers from Mexico who would love to support your child in reaching their Spanish goals. You an curate a class here.

🌍 Foreign Language: The best way to learn 90+ languages for kids - and families too

Our 9 Top Picks for Learning Spanish

1. Top Choice: Homeschool Spanish Academy

Homeschool Spanish Academy is an online language learning program offering live, one-on-one lessons with native Spanish speakers from Guatemala. It was founded by Ron and Nora Gallardo to provide high-quality, personalized Spanish instruction for homeschool students. They aimed to solve the problem of finding effective and affordable language instruction tailored to individual learning needs. This program is unique because it emphasizes interactive, live instruction, ensuring personalized attention and real-time feedback. Parents love the flexibility in scheduling lessons and the detailed progress reports provided, which help track their child's development. One area for improvement could be expanding lesson availability to better accommodate various time zones. This program is ideal for families seeking a structured, immersive language learning experience with professional instructors. Costs vary depending on the package, with multiple pricing tiers available to fit different budgets. It caters to students from elementary to high school.

Pros:

• Teachers are native speakers from Guatemala, offering authentic language exposure.

• Reasonably priced, around $6-8 per lesson.

• One-on-one lessons with flexible scheduling.

• Students can choose teachers they connect with, leading to personalized learning experiences.

• The program supports Guatemalan communities by providing employment.

Cons:

• Some children may find video-based classes less engaging.

• Homework is optional and may vary significantly depending on the teacher.

• Finding the right teacher can be trial and error.

2. Multicultural immersion: Beautiful Mundo