Spanish lessons for children

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

The journey to bilingualism with Spanish lessons for children

Can children be bilingual?

Absolutely! As previously mentioned, children can absorb languages between birth and the age of three. Raising children to be bilingual may not always be the easiest, so it's important to find the right method for you and your family. For example, many families choose to do the “One Parent, One Language” in which each parent speaks to their child in a different language. If this isn't possible for you, you could also start sending your child to language classes from a young age.

Whichever method you choose, it's important to remember that every child develops differently and while some children may pick up languages quickly, others may take a little longer to start communicating. Therefore, raising bilingual or multilingual children requires a lot of patience. 

Are language tutors worth it?

In the vast majority of cases, students who have taken language tutoring say that it is well worth the investment. Private tutors can personalise their language lessons according to the needs and goals of their students. They can also improve their student's confidence in communicating which can help them not just in their target language, but also in their mother tongue. Finally, they can help students in preparation for any language exams that they might have.

How often you should take language lessons

When learning Spanish, it's recommended that you have at least one hour of Spanish tutoring per week. However, it all depends on the needs of your child. Some may require Spanish lessons more often in order to maintain a consistent learning pace, or if they´re coming up to certain exams.

Online resources for learning Spanish

There are many online resources available nowadays that can be used for learning Spanish, many of which are child friendly.

• Duolingo/Duolingo Kids: Duolingo is a great application for learning vocabulary and understanding pronunciation of words. The repetition and interaction used in the app make it a great way to memorise new vocabulary. However, the app does not focus on skills such as grammar and speaking so may not develop all areas of language learning.

• Memrise: Memrise is an application similar to Duolingo which makes language learning feel like a game. They also use the method of repetition to help their learners pick up new vocabulary.

• Weeve. Ideal for older children, Weeve offers classic books in English which have Spanish words weaved throughout. These words can be understood through context. This type of learning allows the reader to absorb new words in Spanish without really thinking about it. Weeve also offer a Google Chrome extension which applies the same concept of weaving Spanish words into the English content of the web pages you browse.

While there is a wealth of online resources, it's important to remember that many of these don´t cover all aspects of language learning in depth; such as grammar, listening and speaking skills. Therefore, it's important that you try to cover all of these aspects with different types of learning. For example, you might want to combine one of the resources mentioned above with private lessons with an online Spanish tutor.

What to look for in a Spanish tutor for children

If you want to find a Spanish tutor for children, there are a number of key points you should look out for when choosing the right tutor for your child:

1. You should ensure that the tutor is experienced with children or qualified to work with them. You can always ask for references from past employers or for a DBS check to ensure that they can work with children.
2. The tutor should have good communication skills and be able to build a good rapport with your child. Many tutors offer an initial trial lesson during which you can ask any questions, clear up any doubts, and see how they interact with your child.
3. The tutor should be highly experienced in Spanish. Whether they´re a native speaker or have studied Spanish extensively, you should ensure that your tutor has the right skills to teach your child.

So if you want to give your child the gift of another language, enrol them in Spanish lessons with a private tutor today. Why wait any longer? Start your search and find your tutor on FindTutors today!