I am going to paint a picture for you… ready? You’ve just landed in a Spanish-speaking country, the sun is shining, you and your family are ready for an adventure. You head to the local market, excited to enjoy the sights and flavors of a vibrant cuisine, fresh and beautiful fruits can be seen in every single corner and then you feel it—a tug at your sleeve, you look down and your kiddo is pointing at a ripe, juicy and delicious looking mango.
“Can I have one?” they ask. You smile and you are about to talk to the vendor but hesitate. Doubt creeps in and you aren’t sure how to ask for this succulent piece of fruit. The vendor looks at you expectantly, your child too. And in one second you realize all that Spanish you took in High School is officially gone.
But it doesn’t have to be this way. Imagine a scenario where your kid is the one to step up, smile and say “Me da un mango, ¿por favor?” The vendor’s face lights up and they respond in Spanish and your kid goes from being a spectator to making a genuine connection. At that moment, as the transaction of the mango happens and they also ask about other fruits while making small talk about their hometown and journey, they are not just a tourist anymore: they are engaging with a culture in a way only language can make possible.
Why Learning Spanish Makes Travel Better
I am sure you know by now, there is a difference between visiting a place and truly immersing yourself in the experience. There is no doubt that you can get by with English in many tourist spots around the world, but there is something really magical that happens when you are able to speak the local language. There is a world of difference between awkward hand gestures and hoping for the best at a restaurant and confidently ordering what you want to eat. It is the difference between being an outsider and being a guest.
For us as adults it comes down to missing out of cultural nuances and being able to understand them. But for kids… for kids it is practically a superpower.
Kiddos who can speak Spanish while traveling have a completely different experience:
They get to make friends easier. While kids are known to create bonds easily speaking the same language as the locals will make it easier for them to join playgrounds, pools, or local events.
They get so much more confidence. From simple things like understanding directions to being able to successfully order at a restaurant. Or even help you understand better what someone might be saying. A bilingual kid is way more likely to feel independent and capable in a foreign country.
They immerse themselves in the culture. When your kid is able to have a genuine conversation with a local vendor, listen to music and understand what is being said, they are not just spectators abstractly learning about a culture, they actually get to be a part of it.
They get to help you. Okay, we already mentioned that but let’s be real, kids pick up languages fast. And before you know it, it might be your kid steering you in the right direction at restaurants, signs and even in small talk with the locals. Which is about as a proud parent moment as you can get.
But…Yo No Speako Espanol
And we get it, maybe you took some Spanish lessons in High School and have completely forgot everything except how to ask for directions to find the local library, or languages wasn’t something you were interested in and kinda missed out on the opportunity to learn. And that’s okay, a common question parents have when wanting their kids to learn a second language when they didn’t get the chance or don’t speak it as they would want to is “How can I teach my child if I don’t know the language myself” and the good news is that you don’t even need to!
Some easy and cool ways to introduce your kid to Spanish before you get to go on those vacations are:
Watching cartoons in Spanish. A lot of streaming services offer the opportunity to change the language. Kid shows and cartoons which are already made to help your kid learn their local language are a great tool to introduce them to a different language.
Listening to Spanish songs. Repetition is key to learning a new language and just as you and your kiddo know all the words to their favorite songs. The same can be true for songs in a different language.
Reading bilingual books together. Even if you don’t speak the language yourself, kid’s books have a tendency to be easy reading material, so don’t be afraid to step up and learn new words and phrases.
Apps. Chances are your kid is already good with technology, so let them have break from Youtube videos or games and get them started on language learning apps.
All of these examples are great ways to introduce your kid to a new language and to support their learning but if we are being truthful, the best way to help your kid become bilingual is interactive learning with a native-speaking teacher—and that’s where TruFluency Kids comes in!
Why TruFluency Kids Spanish?
For starters there is something really convenient about not having to wait to be in a Spanish speaking country to get your kid talking with a Spanish native speaker. And the easiest way for that to happen is with online immersion classes.
Here are some reasons why parents LOVE TruFluency Kids Spanish:
Live, Interactive Classes: Our classes are not about memorizing rules or words; they are about practicing real conversations with experienced native-speaking teachers.
Play-Based Learning: We go above and beyond to make sure that every single one of our teachers knows how to turn a class into a fun learning environment with our original songs, games and storytelling.
Flexibility: Our founder is a mom, she understands better than anyone else the need for flexible classes to fit your busy family life.
Real Language Use: Every lesson in TFK has a single objective: to allow kids to communicate effectively in Spanish, which is perfect for travelling.
The 2 A’s (affordable and accessible): No commute is needed because the classes happen in your living room!
With TruFluency Kids, your child will be ready to talk with locals, order their own dessert, and fully immerse themselves in a vibrant and amazing culture. And all of these can happen for just $15, get them started on a skill they’ll use in their next vacation and beyond!
If you are ready to make your next vacation unforgettable, Sign up for a class today!
