Ok, you have made the move the house is fab, the climate is superb and the only nagging doubt is how to improve your Spanish and how to get the kids speaking Spanish fluently ASAP.
After all ,you didn’t move here to only carry on speaking to your English friends and nor did your children! You can’t deny your teenagers the opportunity to mix with all those gorgeous Spanish boys and girls, can you?
Younger Children Learn Quicker
Children obviously have it a lot easier than their parents, due to that old brain cell death phenomenon! However, the younger the child the easier it is. With babies you don’t have to worry at all it will happen automatically – this applies with children up to about 4 or 5.
But once they are of school age especially if they have already started school in England you can help speed up the process with some very simple techniques.
Having Spanish TV is Important
Firstly, make sure you have Spanish terrestrial or satellite TV. At first they may well whine but The Simpsons are the Simpsons in whatever language and if you already know the story line it really helps in understanding the sound track. The same applies to a lot of other translated children’s cartoons, and Spain also has a lot of their own and South American excellent children’s series. Keep the Sky satellite for the weekends!
Under 14? Immerse them into Spanish School
Try to immerse your child in Spanish culture, enrol them in a Spanish school if possible. This is an excellent idea if they are still at primary school but if they are over 14 you may well consider that their education may suffer until they catch up-which can be very difficult in “Lengua”(Spanish language). Most schools will help children to integrate with extra Spanish classes and the teachers will pay extra attention to them.
They may well find that there is another English speaking child in the class who can help with translation at first. But it’s the friendships made at school that really help, there is no quicker way to pick up a language than to play in it! Your children will be invited into their classmates home and learn about Spanish family life and about Spanish culture and food. Food is the way to most boys’ hearts after all!
After School Activities are a Great Help
After school clubs, especially sports, really help. Most towns and villages have an extensive football club system, with teams from infant age upwards, and the added bonus is that the Saturday fixtures in other towns in the locality will give you some free hours! Talking about free time ,one excellent way for your children to pick up Spanish is by regular contact with a slightly older teenager.
Find a good local babysitter and kill two birds with one stone-your child can pick up Spanish while you are enjoying yourself! Most Spanish teenagers are very good and reliable with small children as the extended family concept is more common here so they have more experience.
Finally, if your children are at junior or senior level private Spanish classes will help immensely. Preferably not on a one- to-one basis, as this is a bit boring after school, but in twos and threes to make it more fun.
