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HABLA USTED ESPANOL?

Sí.  Hablo un poco de español y estoy aprendiendo más cada día. Pero mis ninos no hablan español … pero.

Yes.  I speak a little spanish and I am learning more everyday.  But my kids don’t speak spanish …yet.

They are learning more and more words each day.  It’s pretty frustrating for them right now.

Remember when your little kiddos were trying to learn to read?  There was a time it was just so hard that they (and maybe you too) thought it would never happen and then …poof! All of a sudden the brain clicks and now they read everything in sight.

Our kiddos don’t realize how much they are learning.  I think when they can put thoughts together they will finally feel like they are getting somewhere.  The school they attend is bilingual and they are still baffled keeping up with the classes that are fully in spanish.  We watch them closely to be sure they are not getting too disheartened.  After all, the purpose of good education is to encourage a love of learning and we don’t want to extinguish that.  Today we had a meeting with the director and coordinator who oversee their education and who are very impressed with their studiousness and good habits.

::proud momma moment::

Honestly, we have only been in this country a little over a month.  So, I think they are doing a great job.  But we feel the need to expedite this process a bit.

So we…

…have been playing hangman.  Everyone gets a turn to do a word in spanish.  More and more words are getting played each time.

Hangman and Chokis cookies -FUN!

…watch their fav movies in spanish.

…are listening to the mp3 of the Great Teacher book.

I looked into purchasing a language program to help them along.  (rosetta stone, pimsleur, berlitz, and the like)  Problem is there are some nice ones (and thanks to all for your suggestions) but they don’t seem to be key to getting everyone conversational.

When I was first working on my spanish, it was helpful to listen to “cassette tape recordings” (remember those?) just to get hearing the rhythm and sound of the language.  Very helpful.  Then when we spent a couple months in Costa Rica -it was total immersion.  But…

we were not also kids trying to get used to a foreign culture and keep up academically.  So, I am going to take some suggestions that might be a little more gentle for my kids but still accelerate the process.

+use flashcards for memory, colors for certain words hard to memorize, move physically while talking spanish cuz that makes both sides of the brain working at the same time to enhance memory.

+bounce a balloon in the air while counting, or reciting words, sometimes while standing on one foot even 🙂  also listening to classical music while studying.  the same part of your brain that helps you learn to play an instument is used when learning a language so the more they keep up with that while learning the better.

We encourage them to continue play piano and guitar (except we have not unpacked the guitar yet) to keep that side of the brain working happily.  India has been composing her own music -but more about that later.  We play fun spanish music and dance while learning the words.

If you were a fly on the wall, or in our case a lizard, you would either be entertained or think we were loco.  But in the end, we are going to do everything in our power to get them completely fluent.

Entonces toda la familia podrá estar completamente de conversación en Inglés y Español.

(didn’t understand all that?  then check out yesterday’s post about Google tranlator)  😉

{ 8 comments… add one }
  • becky February 18, 2011, 10:25 pm

    well as always sounds like you are being momof the year. sound like you are loving mexico. miss you guys

    • admin February 18, 2011, 11:03 pm

      becky. we miss you guys too. as for the mom compliment -it takes one to know one. 😉

  • Andrea February 18, 2011, 10:52 pm

    Just got “fairly” caught up with you all and your wonderful adventures!!

    Oh it makes me long for my Guatemala…sigh.

    So happy that the culture there is friendly, accepting, and inclusive….I think it is such an amazing thing to experience an alternatue culture’s acceptance.

    I hope to follow more dilegently!!

    All Blessings..
    Andrea Cockrum

    • admin February 18, 2011, 11:06 pm

      andrea, i am truly complimented by your comment. we are enjoying our time here. everyday is full of surprise. we just try and keep up. it’s a blessing to have this time together as a family. hugs to your tribe!

  • DAD February 19, 2011, 9:47 am

    THANKS FOR SHARING YOUR ADVENTURE!

  • Jen Pressler February 19, 2011, 9:55 pm

    For the kids,

    Niños, buen trabajo. Cada día se aprende un poco más. Tiene muy buenos padres.
    Además, usted tiene un perro pequeño y lindo.
    Adios

  • Renee March 4, 2011, 5:42 am

    At least Buzz fits in now when he gets put into spanish mode. : )

    • admin March 4, 2011, 7:47 am

      hahaha. maybe if i get spanish buzz for the kids, they will learn sooner. 🙂 you are too funny!

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