Best Homeschool Spanish Curricula

Language Program Choices toTeach Homeschoolers Effectively

© Denise Oliveri

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Learning the Spanish language can be hard, but it can be done! Here are some of the best curriculum choices available for homeschoolers today.

Spanish is a great and useful language for kids to learn. Furthermore, many states require foreign language credits in order for kids to graduate from high school. If you homeschool and ever thought that you could not possibly teach your child another language, you can still teach Spanish effectively with the help of a good curriculum.

The earlier you start teaching the Spanish language, the better. You may wonder why this is so. Research shows that when kids are introduced to foreign language at a young age, they have a better chance of retaining the information on a long-term basis. Take a look at some of the following top-notch curricula for Spanish to help you decide which is right for your child.

Visual Link Spanish for Homeschool

This is popular Spanish curriculum for homeschoolers. This program focuses on teaching kids how to speak and learn Spanish through interactive lessons on a home computer. The lessons help kids learn how to communicate and build sentences. It puts less emphasis on rote memorization.

The package comes with audio CDs, quizzes that help kids remember their lessons, progress reports with a study plan guide and supplements. With Visual Link, kids can learn Spanish by using the lessons for 30-60 minutes every day. For about $180, you get 201 interactive computer lessons that include instruction, word review games, vocabulary exercises, quizzes and pronunciation guides. You also get 10 audio CDs, a conversational manual and a carrying case.

El Espanol Facil: The Easy Spanish

This is another popular Spanish curriculum that you can use for your homeschoolers. Kids will use this program to learn the phonetics of Spanish and will also learn conversational and high frequency words. It is also Christian-based, which is a plus for homeschool families looking for a Christian slant to the programs they use. It includes Spanish scripture, songs, games, and even Spanish coloring pages.

Even if you have no experience with Spanish, you can use this program to teach to your children. There is a three year program for younger kids, a one or two year program for older students, and a fast track option for teens. There are different programs for different levels. The younger program is only $65 and each program gives you the option of purchasing new features such as flash cards.

Spanish for Kids

This is yet another great homeschool program that teaches children Spanish. This programs focuses on learning Spanish in a natural way-through conversation instead of memorization. This program uses teaching video, cassettes and CDs, and worksheets and activities. This is a fun program that anyone can use to teaching their kids. The full kit runs about $120.

Salas

This program is a little like Sesame Street, which makes it fun and easy for kids to use and learn the language. The videos feature episodes with puppets and show kids classic stories in Spanish. This is a good option for homeschoolers of all levels, especially the younger groups. While this program is a bit more expensive, starting at around $1000, it comes with a lot of extras that you will appreciate.

Choosing a good curriculum is the first step. As a homeschooling parent, you must make sure that your child sticks with the curriculum and practices the language on a regular basis. A good curriculum will teach, but repetition on your part will help make the lessons stick with your child through their entire life.

DVD Resources: Using Netflix for Homeschooling

Online Learning Resources: Free Online Language Learning


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Comments
May 23, 2008 7:21 AM
Catherine Fortin :
I'm torn about how to go about saying this because any type of Spanish learning and exposure is better than none, so I thank you for putting information out there for interested people. You're helping to bridge our borders and open up the world.
Where is the role of personal connection and communication with . . . humans when using only a digital curriculum? The curricula you describe are useful for knowing about the basics, rather than being able to use them authentically. I'm bilingual (and a Spanish teacher and I teach homeschool groups), and none of my bilingual friends nor I acquired Spanish through textbooks or digital programs; in a perfect world, people teach people communication best.
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