Total immersion has long been regarded as the best way to teach kids Spanish. While true total immersion requires several hours a day living, communicating, and interacting in a Spanish-only environment, there are still ways for elementary school Spanish classes, afterschool programs, and homeschool groups to create a highly-effective learning environment for students using a mix of total immersion and dual-language techniques.
That’s where the Spanish for Kids program comes in. Our elementary Spanish curriculum uses 90% Spanish-only, immersion-style techniques and 10% helpful dual-language instruction.. Dual-language instruction is primarily reserved for introducing new vocabulary themes in each learning module. It’s helpful for English-speaking students to make an initial connection with the new Spanish vocabulary that they will be using throughout the lesson. Making this initial connection helps the student avoid early frustrations. Once that connection is established, the student becomes immersed in their new, Spanish vocabulary.
Read on to learn more about effective immersion Spanish practices for kids, and contact Risas y Sonrisas with any questions!
Context Increases Comprehension
Before we get started, keep in mind that context is at the heart of total Spanish language immersion. It’s one of the reasons that visiting a Spanish-speaking country is the quickest and most effective way to learn the language. Creating a complete context for learning Spanish speeds comprehension and retention.. The Spanish for Kids program focuses on correct pronunciation, reading skills, vocabulary, and practical conversation. It uses songs, fun games, and other activities to help teach kids Spanish. In this multimodal learning approach, each lesson closes with a set of practical Q&A that give real-world context and meaning to the vocabulary.
To teach kids Spanish, you need to spark a genuine interest in the lessons. At Risas y Sonrisas, we believe that music is the most direct pathway to the brain. That’s why each lesson in the Spanish for Kids program includes original songs that introduce vocabulary and help accelerate learning. These songs can be presented digitally for online learning, or using a variety of printed materials like workbooks and posters.
To teach kids Spanish, you need to spark a genuine interest in the lessons. Fun games and activities are another helpful way to spark students’ interest in the material and create an immersive learning experience for students in traditional classrooms, homeschool settings, and online learning environments. From digital activities to printed games, the Spanish for Kids program offers a variety of helpful learning materials to help students progress through introductory, reinforcement, and mastery-level learning units.
No matter what they are trying to learn, children learn best through active participation — and the Spanish language is no exception! Focusing on practical conversation is another helpful way to create an effective, partially immersive learning environment. By taking part in practical conversations that yield specific responses and results from others, students are able to comprehend and retain new vocabulary at an accelerated rate. Practical conversation is one of the main focuses of the Spanish for Kids program. Every lesson includes Q&A scripts, skit videos with native Spanish speakers, and helpful printed materials that help students learn practical conversation skills that they can use in the real world.
Are you looking for an effective, immersive way to teach kids Spanish? Whether you are teaching in a traditional classroom, homeschool group, or 100% online, there is a version of the award-winning Spanish for Kids program tailored to meet your needs. Learn more about our method, keep up with the latest tips and information by subscribing to our Youtube channel, and contact us today to speak with a helpful member of our team.