Tip 11: How do I evaluate a Spanish curriculum?
You are looking for the magic recipe: fun + retainment. If learning isn’t fun, then your child won’t want to continue. And if they don’t retain anything, you won’t feel like your time and money was well spent. So let’s look at the key qualities for a strong Spanish program.
1 Makes language learning FUN
Children learn best when they are having fun. Language learning involves a lot of repetition which can be boring. A good Spanish curriculum delivers the repetition needed with variety, drama, and humor. It should include a lot of colorful visuals aids, songd, movement, and many different activities and games, including stories.2 Makes vocabulary sticky with songs and gestures Learning gestures is easy. Connecting gestures with words and phrases is a powerful tool for recalling vocabulary. Look for a curriculum that uses gestures extensively to introduce vocabulary, build sentences, and teach songs using many games and activities. In the foreign language world, this is called TPR (total physical response). Thematic songs are a component of any good language program for kids. The songs need to be catchy so kids will sing them over and over which give them the repetition they need for long term retention.
3 Makes the teaching interactive
A good curriculum for children should be highly interactive so the kids get a lot of opportunity to learn to speak Spanish. For example, the use of interactive puppetry is magical in getting children to speak. It’s harder to be embarrassed when talking to a llama. Ask about the conversation topics to see that they are matching the students interests. They like soccer? Talk about fútbol.  They like guitar? Talk about tocando la guitarra. 4 Has a student workbook that reinforces what children have learned in the classroom.
The Sing ‘n Speak Spanish curriculum has all these features and more. The offer trained online Spanish Teachers and personal Spanish tutors.
