"I just wanted to let you know how great your program is! I have used it with 3rd, 4th and 5th grades and they love it! It has everything one might need to teach a certain skill in Spanish. I just can't believe how much the children retain! I did not use one worksheet with my students, it was all interactive and hands on!
This semester I will be teaching 1st through 5th grades using your program! I can't wait to get started! You have done a great service putting all this together. Anyone who has ever tried to teach elementary Spanish knows how hard it is to find material that is cohesive. You have definitely filled that void with Risas y Sonrisas. Thank you so much for all the time, money and love you have put into this program, it is top notch!
If you ever get to the point where you need people to sell for you or train for you, please give me a call. I truely believe in Risas y Sonrisas!"
Alejandra Wiggers – Delhi Charter School, Delhi, LA

 

“I began using your program for my after-school Spanish classes this past year.  The students were very enthusiastic each and every week while using the materials contained in your program!  The parents were also very impressed by the progress of the students! 

It is amazing the small amount of "prep time" necessary when using Risas y Sonrisas.  While other programs "suggest" games, activities and visuals, your program DELIVERS these items within the program. The amount of vocabulary retained by students is so much greater using your curriculum which is rich with visuals and varied activities!!  Even though it may be a full week between Spanish classes, when students see the posters with the vocabulary again, all vocabulary comes back. Thanks for an outstanding program with a lot less "busy work" for us teachers!”
Celeste Green – Spanish Teacher, Kalamazoo, MI and more recently Dallas, GA

 

“Thank you for developing such a teacher friendly curriculum. It is greatly needed! 
This has been an outstanding program for our school.  The students love the songs and can remember years after learning them.  The games are fun and the colorful posters are attractive.  I love teaching with this program and being able to use it with multiple age groups.  We have used it for 3rd-8th grade the last two years and next year we are expanding our program to include the Kindergarten- 8th grades.  Our parents often comment on how their children enjoy singing and learning the new vocabulary.  It is very easy to use and offers beginning to advanced skills in Spanish in a fun way.  I would highly recommend this as a school-wide program!”
Carole Nase - Trinity Lutheran School, Bend, OR

 

“We have very much enjoyed using the Risas y Sonrisas program with our 1st through 8th graders. There are so many fun activities and games to keep the students excited and eager to learn Spanish.  It is a very user friendly program!”
Michele Worthington - Newton Christian School, Newton, IA

 

“I was surprised, when teaching this program for the second year, how well my students K – 5th grade remember what they did the year before...and they still show enthusiasm!  I have had as much fun teaching, as the students have had learning it.”
Elizabeth Gonzalez - St. Mary's School, Sherman, TX

 

“First of all I would like to congratulate you for the excellent curriculum you have created. Children love it! It is dynamic, the pictures are cute, the songs are catchy and the method of constructing sentences with the verbs is fabulous. I maintain the concentration of my students all the time!”
Gabriela Preininger - Fayette Montessori, Peachtree City, GA

 

“The after-school program at Baranoff is going GREAT. Currently, we have 136 students and nine classes.  We are getting lots of positive feedback and both the teachers and students are having fun and learning. We hope to continue next year and we’ll be buying 2 more curriculums in the fall.” 
Kayla Chalmers – Baranoff Elementary, Austin, TX

 

“I bought your program about a year ago and I love it!  I have recommended it quite a few times to others.”
Colleen Kelley – Highland Park Elementary, St. Paul, MN

 

“I just wanted to compliment your Music CD. I use it in my K-4 Spanish classes because I feel children learn best through singing and music. The students sing along with the Music CD and even take it outside of the classroom. Thank you for an awesome product!”
Yvonne Knutson - Daisy Ingraham School, Westbrook, CT

 

“I would like to share how wonderful the experience teaching with Risas y Sonrisas has been for me here in Canada. Children have learned pronunciation, vocabulary and oral communication faster than with any other approach I ever used.”
Vera Escobell - Spanish Teacher, Ottawa, ON Canada

 

"If I didn't tell you before, I'm telling you now; my teachers love your materials!  My English speakers really took to your materials.  I'm trying to get a confirmation from my teacher to attend your workshop."
Debra Hayes – Kelso Elementary School Principal, Houston, TX

 

“¡Hola!  I am a teacher in Davidson, NC & have loved using some of your products with my classroom.  Specifically, your personal pronoun package has been an incredible resource for my middle school students!  They were EXCITED to "GET TO" conjugate verbs!  I have never seen anything as easy to use for all different learning styles, but especially for visual learners. I may be presenting at the FLANC conference & would recommend that you consider coming to present your materials. Thank you for making my job easier!”
Karin Solomonson, Community School of Davidson, Davidson, NC

 

“Hemos usado tu programa con estudiantes de escuela elemental aqui en Cary, NC y ha sido muy pero muy bueno por decir lo menos. Los posters con sus colores son muy llamativos para niños de cualquier edad. El juego de bingo con sus tarjetas y palabras aparte ha sido muy eficaz para que los niños aprendan las palabras más rápido. Me tocó enseñar una clase de 10 estudiantes con 8 varones y 2 niñas y mantener la atención de los niños sobre todo era un desafío, pero cuando comenzamos a jugar el bingo o el juego de memoria o algún otro juego con las tarjetas y las palabras tenía a TODA la clase interesada en jugar y aprender.
Mi mayor satisfacción fue el tener en la clase a un niño autista. Al principio parecía que le era difícil captar el español pero hice todo lo posible por incluirlo y su deseo de aprender le ayudó mucho. En las últimas sesiones era este niño quien sabía las respuestas. Entraba a la clase saludando y respondiendo en español. En realidad me sorprendió mucho cuanto vocabulario aprendió. Las tarjetas y los juegos hicieron una gran diferencia y con este niño en particular aún más. Tienes un muy buen programa. ¡Mil gracias por toda tu labor!”
 Carola Pagan – Spanish Teacher, Cary, NC

 

“I have found "Risas y Sonrisas" to be a wonderful program for teaching children Spanish!  I was nervous to start teaching a Spanish Class when I was first asked to try it- but the Lesson Plans in the teachers manuel are so easy to follow - it made it easy!  The lessons themselves, full of games and music, are so fun that the kids don't even realize they are learning- they think they are just playing!  I taught the program for 2 years at my daughter's school in Pennsylvania, and then my family moved to Idaho.  I missed teaching the program, so now I'm starting over at the new school here in Idaho!  Thank you ‘Risas y Sonrisas’ for making teaching and learning Spanish so much fun!”
Cheryl Mercado - Spanish Teacher, Lansdale, PA and more recently Meridian, ID

 

“The Risas y Sonrisas Spanish program is wonderful. The color coded words and lively pictures and posters make learning language fun and easy to understand. The teachers’ manual is full of games and teaching techniques that create an interactive classroom. Students are encouraged to speak from the beginning. Our students love the songs and bingo games provided for each unit. Thank you for developing such a student friendly curriculum. Our students, staff, and parents are thrilled with the materials.”
Kristi Papenfuss - Beacon Academy Plymouth, MN and more recently Susan Lindgren Intermediate Center St. Louis Park, MN

 

“We have been using the “Risas y Sonrisas” Program with a group of 300 students between the ages of 3 and 12 years old. It has been such a positive experience to see children enjoying so much while learning Spanish. We highly recommend your program to schools.”
Gloria Hayden - Eagle’s Nest Christian Academy, Milton, DE and more recently Trinity Lutheran School, Keene, NH

 

“We have been using your Spanish language program “Risas y Sonrisas” for four years now at Steiner Ranch Elementary. All of our Spanish teacher volunteers are very pleased with the versatility of the materials. At our school we teach grades kindergarten through fifth grades. We are able to teach all the grade levels using the same materials. We are also able to mix and match the various subjects with each other. The teachers are also happy with the variety of subject materials provided. The elementary Spanish program has been so successful that this year Leander ISD has a total of seven elementary schools participating using the “Risas y Sonrisas” Spanish program. Thank you for putting together one of the best elementary Spanish language programs we have looked at so far.”
Annie Barrera - Elementary Foreign Language Facilitator 1998-2005, Leander ISD, TX

 

(This letter was written in January of 2002. As of 2009, there are over 25 schools around Austin using the Risas y Sonrisas curriculum with Spanish speaking parent volunteers.)

“I have been using your program now for several years. I ordered your complete program three years ago and I love it.”
Michelle Harvey - Tumalo After School Cooperative Program Director, Bend, OR

 

“I have used your program for a year now and I am planning to use it again this year. I teach Spanish in two different catholic schools in Seattle. I have found your program to be easy for the students to use, entertaining, and engaging. I have used it in classrooms from K through 8th and they all have seemed to enjoy it and most importantly, learned the material.”
Lorena Munoz-Lipscomb - St. Anne School, Seattle, WA

 

“I am reading your manual and laminating cards and posters. School starts on Sept 6! I am looking forward to using your program with my students....and have a feeling they are going to LOVE it. Your hard work, intelligence and intuitive ways of knowing how to teach a language are clear in your materials.  I do hope to share my successes with you.”
Tere Solis - Holy Family School, Pasadena, CA

 

“For quite a while I've been thinking that I should tell you HOW WONDERFUL is the music CD!  My students (K-8th graders) ask me for "Chiqui-Gua" all the time.” 
Marie Taraska - St. Mark Catholic School, East Peoria, IL

 

"Ms. Smith has developed a user friendly curriculum that reaches 40-50 students in our after school classes. She is a poised instructor who passes her joy of teaching Spanish to all of her students."
Dr. Doug Hall - Davis Elementary Principal, Austin, TX

 

 

“Since the first day I got your program I could see how wonderful it was. I have been using it for a while now, with excellent results. The kids love all the games and the material is wonderful. I am form Mexico so when I started teaching Spanish I really wanted a program to give me the resources to reach and engage the kids in the language. Your program does just that! Your personal knowledge of both languages makes this program unique. Since I started using your program, a couple of other schools in the area started using it also. Congratulations!”
Paty Kulathum – Private Instructor, Harleysville, PA

 

“I have been using your program for almost 2 years now and students really enjoy the fact that they can learn on their own with the book, CD and CD-ROM. They love the pictures and the songs and being able to use the CD-ROM as an interactive way of learning. I love it! It is great to use in my classes and also great for parents to use at home with their children. Thank you for your hard work!”   
Marian Zapata - Language Fundamentals President, Bethesda, MD

 

"I purchased a set of Risas y Sonrisas for my 1st and 2nd graders. The children love the book, the bright colors, and the songs. They know almost all of the songs by heart. Many times after class, one of the children will write on the blackboard, "We Love Spanish Class!" I attribute this to the wonderful material Leticia Smith has developed and the enthusiasm it engenders."
Sharon Bowles - Homeschool Instructor, Little Rock, AR

 

“I have been using Risas y Sonrisas teaching homeschoolers for the past two years. They love and I love it!  It makes it so much easier to teach and the kids have fun with it! I did a lot of research and have bought many different Spanish
programs/materials and none compares to this one!”
Anna Klein Giangregorio - Homeschool Instructor, West Hills, CA

 

“Finally, a program that works for us! I came across Risas y Sonrisas and was impressed by its materials, especially the CD-ROM and the music CD which is sung by a Spanish-speaker! We have received many positive comments from our parents about the class and program and how not only their children are enjoying and learning but that the PARENTS are also learning from listening to the CD-ROM and music CD. Thanks Leticia!”
Anna Sierra - Homeschool Co-op, Bothell, WA

 

 “I have started to use your curriculum and I am enjoying it as well as the kids I teach.  It has been the missing piece to what I have been looking for.  I have been using your same approach to teaching for the past 4 years and it was so refreshing to come across your curriculum this summer. Thank you so much for taking the time to put all of these materials together.  Your time and effort are definitely helping my children.”
Carolyn Hill – Private Instructor, Windermere, FL

 

“I have been using the program Risas y Sonrisas for my Spanish classes for over a year. The response from both students and parents have been extremely positive so much so, that through word of mouth the size of my classes have more than doubled during the year. It keeps the kids active and attentive in class, with games, interesting visual aids, songs, and easy conversations.”
Anita Van Tongerloo, Private Instructor, Austin, TX

 

“¡Estoy muy contenta con el material recibido y mi estudiante también!”
Ingrid Aguilar – Private Instructor, Flat Rock, NC

 

“Currently I am using the Risas and Sonrisas program to teach Spanish as an Enrichment Program in Day Cares. I use the CD, posters, recommended games, and the flash cards to teach my class. The children have been extremely receptive and are enjoying learning and exploring a second language.  I meet with the children twice a week for thirty minutes for a total of eight classes per month. I have gone through 2 months of Spanish classes and the children have done an exceptional job retaining the information that we have covered.  
I am personally pleased with the Risas and Sonrisas Program and I look forward in continuing to engage and help children learn a second language using your remarkable program. Thanks for all your help and continued support.”
Diana Villanueva - Private Instructor, Dallas, TX

 

“Risas y Sonrisas is a very comprehensive and easy to use program, using so many appealing and catchy songs and bright and comical images.  It really has been a pleasure to use.  I searched extensively for a complete program for a long while and this has fulfilled my needs wonderfully.  Leticia is so helpful and has been more than happy to provide advice with this venture.  The schools in which I am teaching Spanish are thrilled with the program and our numbers continue to increase. I firmly believe that the teaching of foreign languages at Elementary level is the way forward to engaging students and embedding learning early.”
Sarah Voss - Private Instructor, Des Moines, IA

 

“I have been teaching Spanish as a volunteer for seven years in public schools and one year in a school for dyslexic students using ‘Risas y Sonrisas’.  One classroom teacher took a poll of her students as to which subject was their favorite.  The students ranked their ‘Risas y Sonrisas’ Spanish classes, measured and graphed, as their second most favorite class, right below their number one favorite, which was PE.
I have seen Kindergartners embrace Spanish classes with open arms and sparkling eyes using the ‘Risas y Sonrisas’ songs, posters, and accompanying games.  I have seen First Graders giggling and dancing and learning Spanish effortlessly through ‘Risas y Sonrisas’ multi sensory lesson plans and materials.  The curriculum builds on itself over time, and my students, from Kindergarten to Fourth Grade have grown in mastery with it over the years.  The curriculum is designed to prevent the boredom and burn-out that many other Spanish curriculums have been known to foster.  ‘Risas y Sonrisas’ leaves the students wanting to take more and more Spanish. Many of my students are taking Spanish in Middle School as an elective after having been brought up on the ‘Risas y Sonrisas’ curriculum, choosing Spanish over even Choir and Band.
Currently I am using ‘Risas y Sonrisas’ curriculum to teach oral Spanish to dyslexic Fourth Graders. Dyslexic children have been told they cannot learn a foreign language, which I believe is far from true.  ‘Risas y Sonrisas’ is a very flexible curriculum and can be modified to suit the educational needs of varying levels of student capability.  Avoiding reading and writing, focusing on conversational Spanish, combining ‘Risas y Sonrisas’ curriculum’s posters, games, songs, and lesson plan suggestions, delivered with multi-sensory Total Physical Response techniques has led dyslexic students to overcome their ‘inability’ to learn a foreign language.
I have also shown some of the ‘Risas y Sonrisas’ posters to adults to clarify their misunderstandings of Spanish classes they are undertaking at Jr. Colleges.  They were thankful for the ‘Risas y Sonrisas’ visual aids.
‘Risas y Sonrisas’ curriculum is a tried-and-true teaching tool.  I am very pleased with it.”   
Chris Rhoads – Private Instructor and Leander ISD Volunteer, Austin, TX

 

"Muchas gracias por toda tu ayuda, por tu tiempo, tu confianza, y tu guia.  Te felicito por el excelente programa y los productos que has creado, y por las ganas y el cariño que le pones a lo que haces. Eres una persona muy especial."
Abigayl Pansini – Private Instructor, Mooresville, NC

 

“El programa de Risas y Sonrisas da resultados asombrosos en el aprendizaje de los estudiantes. Es un programa divertido, dinámico y muy efectivo. Uno como maestra también lo disfruta mucho, gracias al material interactivo que es tan original y creativo.
Estoy muy satisfecha con los resultados que el programa ha dejado en cada uno de mis estudiantes, así como la aceptación que tienen al respecto los padres de familia y la cantidad de referencias que he recibido, debido al éxito que han tenido mis clases de español.
Mil gracias por haberme introducido a este método y dado la oportunidad de tener la dicha de compartir mi idioma natal con los niños de una manera tan divertida.”
Elizabeth Simmons – Private Instructor, Austin, Texas

 

“I started teaching Spanish as a volunteer in the Leander School District using ‘Risas y Sonrisas’. I learned to speak Spanish from my parents. I never thought that I could have my own business teaching Spanish without formally studying the language. What I like the most about this program is that it is easy to use, children have fun learning, and I don’t have to prepare materials for my classes. Everything I need is in the classroom program…music, games, posters, cards and wonderful ideas. It is very rewarding to see my own daughter and other kids enjoy learning Spanish from me. Thanks for all your support!”
Virginia Arredondo – Private Instructor, Austin, TX

 

“I just wanted to thank you for your wonderful Spanish curriculum.  All of your materials are so well thought out.  It is such a complete curriculum without the boring workbooks associated with learning another language.  This program is so practical because it teaches what is necessary for everyday use.  The integration of the songs and games into what children are learning makes this such a fun way to learn the Spanish language.  I love the flexibility it gives to be spontaneous whenever the occasion arises.  I am presently teaching a group of home schooled children, ages 5-10, twice a week and a small group of public school children, ages 5-12, once a week.  Both groups have responded so well to the curriculum even with the age difference.  The suggested games are so much fun for the children that I have no problem with participation from them.  They are all anxious to be the ones to give the answer to my questions.  I know the kids love to hear the songs because they are always telling me, “I listen to all of them all the time, even the ones we haven’t played in class”.  The parents are happy with their children’s progress.  I get comments from parents like, “They are using the words that they have learned in class”, “Now, when I speak Spanish to my mom, they can understand me”, “My son really enjoys your class”, “I am so glad that my children are finally learning Spanish”.   What is very rewarding to me is to see the kids run to cheerfully meet me at my front door when they arrive for their class.  This makes teaching so worthwhile.  I want to thank you for being there whenever I call you to share with you my progress or for suggestions that I can use to add to my teaching style.  I cannot thank you enough for all your sacrifices to make this curriculum available.”
Irene Salazar -  Homeschool Instructor, Sanger, CA

 

“I am using “Risas y Sonrisas” with a group of homeschoolers ranging in ages 9 to 16 and a group of adults consisting of retirees as well as professionals. It is a curriculum that is easily adapted to any age group and proves to be a painless, quick and fun-filled method for teaching and learning the Spanish language. Just to prove this, one of my adult students said that he had learned more from this curriculum in three class sessions than he had in his two years of Spanish in college! Now that is an endorsement if I ever heard one.
Aquí me estoy reportando con la buena noticia de que la clase de español que comenzó a principios de mes me va de lo mejor, gracias a ti. Tengo 9 alumnos entre las edades 8-16 años; todos en la misma clase. Están aprendiendo con facilidad y con buena pronunciación. Una madre halagó tu cartelón de Cognados. La verdad es que es un sistema tan eficiente y divertido para enseñarles como formar frases de una manera rápida e inteligible. Es lo que todo alumno que está aprendiendo un idioma nuevo anhela poder hacer.”
Judy Cárdenas – Private Instructor, San Marcos, TX

“I love ‘Risas y Sonrisas’. I have been using your program for 3 years now. I teach at Capo District in California. Your program has proved to be very effective. The children retain the vocabulary in an easy way. They love to play the games suggested in the manual and they always ask to repeat them. The CD with songs to learn Spanish is wonderful! Thanks to ‘Risas y Sonrisa’” I run a very successful Spanish Program in Southern California. I tried other programs before and no one worked as well as yours.
I am opening a new ‘Hola’ Spanish in Arizona and I am going to take your program along. This time I will be teaching Spanish speaking children how to speak English.”
Celeste Morais - HOLA Spanish Director, Mission Viejo. CA

 

“What you have developed for the field is something I've been seeking for the longest time, and I have the utmost admiration for not only your ability to tackle the curriculum to develop one's SLA of Spanish but also for the teaching methods you incorporate in doing so.”
Felissa Taylor - Private Instructor, Austin, TX

 

“Spanish is still going awesome! I love your curriculum and just want to tell you thank you for all the neat things in it. I had a chance to speak at a local Middle School for an event called ‘Great American Teach-In.’ Professionals come in and speak to classes about what they do. I shared your curriculum with a group of ESOL kids, they loved it! The teacher's aide in the class asked about a curriculum like yours for learning English. Have you ever worked with ESOL kids using your curriculum? Thanks for taking the time to talk to me. I enjoyed it!”
Cristina Foster – Casita de Español Director, Dade City, FL

 

“Just to let you know how things are going for me here in Minot, we have a class of 9 students right now. I am meeting with a principal to see if we can start something at one of the schools in town. I am very excited. If you have any advice please send it my way. I really love all of the materials in the Risas y Sonrisas program. I am looking forward to next week and our first class!”
Adele Reimann-Grosz – Private Instructor, Minot, ND

 

 

"The Risas and Sonrisas program has been a great learning experience for my kids. It is a fun and easy way to learn Spanish. This is by far one of the best programs I have seen!"
Sylvia Alkis, Austin, TX

 

“We homeschool our 4 children in Canada and we have spent several months searching for the best and most economical Spanish program. Thankfully we found Risas y Sonrisas Spanish Program For Kids!! We have been using it for the past 2 months and our 6 & 8 year old children absolutely love the program. The kids assessment of the program is “It’s fun!” They have learned all the songs, including our 5 year old and even our 2 year old loves to sing the songs. Our 6 & 8 year olds already know most of the verbs and vocabulary by heart. They are beginning to put sentences together and they especially like to make up their own sentences using the Spanish words they have learned. They practice conversations using the patterns in the book. They are already beginning to ask about conjugating verbs into different tenses and they frequently ask “How do you say... in Spanish Mommy?”  Our satisfaction level with this program cannot be overstated. We love it and even mom and dad are learning too. The drawings, colors, and color coding are engaging. The explanations are clear and easy for children to understand and instructors to explain. Our children have enjoyed learning it and I have enjoyed teaching it. We highly recommend this program.  As you can tell there is a lot I could say about this program but for the sake of space I will stop here. Thank you!”
Lavern McGhie, Brampton, ON Canada

 

“Thank you so much for creating this program. You have condensed a wealth of information into one book and CD. The material is well organized and very parent-children friendly. The illustrations are clear as well as very entertaining. The songs are fun and set to tunes with which most American children are familiar. You have also done an incredible job of rhyming between English and Spanish at the same time as you are organizing each lesson into easy to remember categories and relationships. My kids (4 and 6 years old) beg me to let them listen to the Spanish songs! I am delighted to hear them singing the songs to themselves while they are playing.”
Charlene Anderson, Cedar Park, TX

 

“Thank you so much for your generous gift of the Spanish Program for Kids. I did not want to write until we had studied it together. Well, on our trip to Colorado to a medical meeting, we took it along and were delighted and blessed at how practical and straightforward your program was. My children are singing the songs and ask me to play the CD. Your talent in this area is excellent. Congratulations for taking the trouble to compile the program.”
Tom, Nancy, Matthew and Amy Westwick, Temple, TX

 

“Thank you for the fast shipping. We had planned on receiving it after Christmas, but we got it a few days before! We are really enjoying your program and learning a lot.”
Lisa Ybarra, Corpus Christ, TX
                                                     
"My daughter attended four semesters of ‘Risas y Sonrisas’ Spanish program for kids from the time she was 5 years old with Leticia Smith. She learned an exceptional Spanish vocabulary with perfect pronunciation. She is at the point that she can understand Spanish conversations and she can read Spanish books. Most importantly Risas y Sonrisas is not only academically strong but also child-friendly and an attractive learning program. My daughter always liked to attend Leticia's classes. I would strongly recommend every child to join the ‘Risas y Sonrisas’ Spanish program!"
Radmila Hrdlickova, Austin, Texas

 

"Risas y Sonrisas is an extraordinary language program - creatively designed to be entertaining and rich in content. Kids are quickly immersed in Spanish and having a ball. Short of a trip abroad I can't imagine a better learning experience."
Pam Parker, Austin, TX

 

"I just wanted to let you know how much I have enjoyed using "Risas y Sonrisas" at home with my son. It is fun and interactive and I really appreciate the Sign Language element.

I was also wondering which schools in Texas are using your curriculum. We are moving to Texas later this month (!) and we would like to send him to a school that is using your program."

Jamie Henneman, A soon-to-be Texan