Q: My child is new to this program. What can they do to feel less behind?
It's important to first reassure your child that everyone learns languages at different rates. Their teacher is only grading them on their personal growth, so as long as they show progress, they do not need to worry. At CCS, we teach verbs as vocabulary - not in conjugation tables. Additional vocabulary changes based on the needs and interests of the group, but these high frequency words are reinforced every year.
Students entering 5th grade have learned:
Quizlet: Sweet 16 verbs singular (5th)
Quizlet: Useful classroom phrases (5th) Students entering 6th grade have also learned: |
Students entering 7th grade have also learned:
Quizlet: Sweet 16 verbs plural (6th) Quizlet: Sweet 16 verbs first person (6th) Students entering 8th grade have also learned: |
Q: We speak Spanish at home, but my child never wants to. How can I motivate them? What kind of challenge work can they do at home?
This is VERY common! My first piece of advice is: Do not force them! You can continue to speak to them in Spanish and let them answer you in English. If they can answer, that shows comprehension. Speaking has to come from a place of necessity and want.
Here are some other ideas:
1. Magazine subscriptions: Mary Glasgow has monthly magazines in Spanish for beginners. You can see samples and decide which level may be best for your child.
2. Graphic Novels: Señor Wooly writes leveled graphic novels for students in Spanish. Look at the samples to decide which level is best for your child.
3. Family dinner challenge: Set a timer for 5 minutes and challenge the family to speak in Spanish for that whole time. Slowly increase the time until you challenge them to an entire meal. Remind them that a word or phrase here or there in English is totally acceptable. You just want everyone to try their best for the majority of the meal.
4. Family movie night: Watch a movie together that you've already seen. Change the language and subtitles to Spanish so they read and listen. You can also go on YouTube, find their favorite childhood cartoons in Spanish and watch with closed captioning or slow down the speed of the video to 0.75.
Here are some other ideas:
1. Magazine subscriptions: Mary Glasgow has monthly magazines in Spanish for beginners. You can see samples and decide which level may be best for your child.
2. Graphic Novels: Señor Wooly writes leveled graphic novels for students in Spanish. Look at the samples to decide which level is best for your child.
3. Family dinner challenge: Set a timer for 5 minutes and challenge the family to speak in Spanish for that whole time. Slowly increase the time until you challenge them to an entire meal. Remind them that a word or phrase here or there in English is totally acceptable. You just want everyone to try their best for the majority of the meal.
4. Family movie night: Watch a movie together that you've already seen. Change the language and subtitles to Spanish so they read and listen. You can also go on YouTube, find their favorite childhood cartoons in Spanish and watch with closed captioning or slow down the speed of the video to 0.75.
Q: Spanish is hard for my child. What extra practice can they do to improve?
During the school year:
1. Spend 10 minutes a night reviewing vocabulary Quizlets from previous and current units. The best tools in Quizlet are Match, Gravity, or Learn.
2. Ask your student to read the story we are working on to you in Spanish and then explain it in English. You may not know if they are right, but just the act of them reading outside of class is positive. They will see the sentence structures and vocabulary words again.
3. Duolingo: This is a free app on their phone or computer. It's a game, so it doesn't feel like work!
Over the summer:
1. Duolingo: This is a free app on their phone or computer. It's a game, so it doesn't feel like work!
2. Movies: Watch a movie together that you've already seen. Change the language and subtitles to Spanish so they read and listen.
3. YouTube: Go on YouTube and find their favorite childhood cartoons in Spanish. Watch with closed captioning.
4. Graphic Novels: Señor Wooly writes leveled graphic novels for students in Spanish. If your student is struggling, purchase the Novice-Mid level.
1. Spend 10 minutes a night reviewing vocabulary Quizlets from previous and current units. The best tools in Quizlet are Match, Gravity, or Learn.
2. Ask your student to read the story we are working on to you in Spanish and then explain it in English. You may not know if they are right, but just the act of them reading outside of class is positive. They will see the sentence structures and vocabulary words again.
3. Duolingo: This is a free app on their phone or computer. It's a game, so it doesn't feel like work!
Over the summer:
1. Duolingo: This is a free app on their phone or computer. It's a game, so it doesn't feel like work!
2. Movies: Watch a movie together that you've already seen. Change the language and subtitles to Spanish so they read and listen.
3. YouTube: Go on YouTube and find their favorite childhood cartoons in Spanish. Watch with closed captioning.
4. Graphic Novels: Señor Wooly writes leveled graphic novels for students in Spanish. If your student is struggling, purchase the Novice-Mid level.