Do you know what really makes the corners of my mouth turn upward, and think for the tiniest split second, that maybe I’ve done something right as a parent? It’s when one of my children calls me mamá.
I began studying Spanish in 6th grade and the journey continued…
- A two week trip to Spain learning to flip Spanish tortilla as an exchange student in high school
- A youth group missions trip building houses in Mexico
- Two January terms my sophomore and junior years of college studying in Ecuador and swimming with sea lions in the Galapagos Islands
- Eating gallo pinto, teaching English, and laughing with my host family in Costa Rica my senior year of college
- Back in Spain, now married and a missionary with Ambassadors Football, playing soccer and singing flamenco style praise songs and leading Bible studies for women in a local prison
- Many years later, now with 2 daughters, living in Nicaragua for several months to adopt our son and baby brother
- And most recently, taking trips to Nicaragua with Living Waters every January to deliver backpacks and school supplies to children so they can go to school
My Spanish journey began with a tiny flicker in a class I could barely understand or tolerate in junior high, and exploded into a full blown passion when I realized one simple thing:
I could talk to more people by learning Spanish.
Mind blowing, I know. But for me, it really was. Speaking Spanish literally opened up a whole new world for me. This wasn’t just a new skill to include on a resume (though it certainly can be), and it wasn’t just a stimulating mental challenge (though it serves as that too). It was a new grandma, a dad, a mom, a brother. It was, and is, relationships.
Relationships
I’ll say it again. Relationships. My main motivation for learning languages is relationships. And my main motivation for wanting others, especially my children, to learn languages is relationships. Who else wants bilingual children?
Simply put, I want my children to learn Spanish so they can become friends with children who speak Spanish. Share on XI’m already very excited because they recently became friends with Nella. Nella is an exchange student from Peru who is spending a year with a host family who lives really close to us! We just arranged for Nella to visit once a week so my kids can practice speaking Spanish with her and learn more about Peru.
In my efforts to teach my children Spanish we use a book from Spanish for You called Mi Vida (My Life). I thought this theme was a good one to start with so my daughters can learn vocabulary that is relevant to their everyday lives. They learn words about our family, home, and simple chores with flashcards, worksheets, audio lessons, and more.
Spanish for You Coupon Code of the Month
Because of those mamá moments that touch every parent’s heart, I really want to encourage all of you to explore language learning. So each month at Mommy Maleta I will feature a coupon code you can use towards Spanish for You curriculum by Debbie Annett. Debbie does a great job of organizing all of her themed books for grades 3-8.
Parents do not need to know Spanish in order to use this curriculum for their children. And who knows? You might hit the jackpot, and learn Spanish right along with your kids.
This month you will get a free 29 page Halloween downloadable lesson with any $39.95 purchase. That is the price of one home use package. Just use the discount code FREEBOO to get your free Halloween lesson.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of the Mi Vida book for review purposes. All opinions are my own.
I really do want to encourage you and your family in any way I can on your language learning journey. I just listened to a great podcast by Mariana over at Bilingual Avenue reminding parents that it is not too late to teach older children a second language.
If you are looking for Spanish language resources, please be sure to check out my Explore Spanish for Kids board on Pinterest.
Follow Laura | Mommy Maleta’s board Explore Spanish For Kids on Pinterest.
I love this post! I can completely relate to your passion for Spanish while not being a native speaker. It was growing up next to a Colombian family that gave me a love for the language and missions trips and living in Argentina helped my fluency. We are raising my kids bilingually and I love your curriculum suggestions (my kids are 3 and 1, so we are not quite there yet). And I love how you pointed out relationships…yesterday I saw the fruit of teaching my kids at work. There were two new kids in Sunday School class who didn’t speak any English, only Spanish, but my son was able to befriend them and teach them the ropes since he’s also fluent in Spanish! What a blessing and gift from God. Thanks for teaching your kids bilingually.
Thank you so much for sharing Hannah! I just love how your son put his Spanish to good use and befriended the new children in his Sunday School class. What a special moment for you, mamá!
Hi! I want to be bilingual myself! I have a daughter who is bilingual, and for the time being is living in a Spanish speaking country. And, I had 2 years of French and 2 years of German! It is so much easier to learn languages when you are young, That’s great that you want your kids to be bi-lingual! (From #Titus2Tuesdays)
I would absolutely LOVE it if my children were bilingual. Neither Nate or I are so I don’t know if there’s much hope until they’re older. 😉 I think that it’s wonderful to be able to talk to more people in their heart languages and reach them with the love of Christ! <3
I completely agree Susannah! There are a lot of great curriculums out there which make it possible for parents to teach their kids Spanish even if they don’t speak it themselves. Spanish For You is one of the programs I like and use with my daughters.
My second language is actually French. I would love to see my children become bilingual in English and French, but my boyfriend (will be husband eventually) is not thrilled with the idea since he doesn’t speak it himself. I think I’ll show him your post! Maybe he’ll change his mind 🙂
Emily {a fellow Peony}
Emily, I hope this post pushes him in the bilingual direction. There are so many benefits! Bon Chance!
I love this! I grin every time Swahili slips into my kids’ conversations. It’s usually only a animal here or a type of food there, but I love it!
I agree, it’s a great feeling Charlie! Thanks for sharing.
I do! My husband speaks 3 languages and it has been a blessing! We are working on the same thing in our homeschool. Thank you for sharing this week on the Art of Home-Making Mondays! 🙂
Wow trilingual! That is great. I’m so glad to hear from others who are working on foreign language skills with their children. Thanks for sharing.