Learning a new language can be a daunting task, especially if you're not a fluent speaker yourself. But fear not, homeschool momma, because with a few clever LifeHacks, you can make language learning fun and engaging for your child. In this article, we'll explore some tried and tested tips and tricks for teaching foreign languages at home, like incorporating unique techniques and activities that make learning a new language feel less like work and more like play. With these LifeHacks, you'll be able to create an immersive language learning environment that will help your child pick up new vocabulary and grammar with ease. So, let's dive in and discover how to make your foreign language lessons a highlight of your homeschooling curriculum!
Five tips on making See it and Say it Flip Flop Spanish even more fun - or to add to ANY Spanish or Foreign Language Curriculum:
1) Use binder rings to separate weekly cards or “know it and don’t know it” piles.
This is easy to do with a hand held hole punch, or a three hole punch. Choose which corner, and let your children string their cards onto the binder rings. As they learn one card well, they swap it over to the "Know it" ring. Add news ones on the "don't know ring" and let them flip through them in the car, grocery store line, or at the bank.
2) Post your target flash cards for the week in the stand-up card holder to keep them in the living space. Whether you have the fun little wooden stand (I LOVE OURS!) or not, you can use butterfly clips or binder clips, or even challenge your kids to MAKE one out of LEGOS! - Please send me a picture if you do that!
What's the "trick" here? How does this actually help you learn? It's the NUMBER of times you see the visual cue that creates the synapses to hold on to the word. That visual cue gives your brain an extra little work out, like a mini-boost to your memory, if those four or five cards are just AROUND you a bit more.
This stand also creates a lifestyle of learning in your home. Keeping the loveliness of learning in your window sill, on your counter, above a picture ledge, gives your children even a BETTER chance to relish their learning, show off what they've learned, and yes, therefore OWN the knowledge.
3) Store the flashcards in ziploc baggies or the ring and stash them in the silverware drawer for practicing during snack time. This isn't a HUGE trick - it's just giving you permission to put something in the silverware drawer that isn't for food. You can hang the ring on the key hook, or even a tack on the bulletin board - it's just about accessibility. And it WORKS!
4) Choose a meal to speak SPANISH only and label the items with the flash cards. See it and Say It Flip Flop Spanish teaches great phrases like "May I have," "I like," and "Do you want" - add your food words, and you have some complete sentences. With any curriculum though, just a little bit of prep can give you a VERY rich full meal of learning, memories, and FUN! With this focus, explore the differences in recipes and foods available in the different Spanish speaking countries! Culture, history, AND language! All with FOOD! Yeah!
5) Design a menu in Spanish for your family meal. This goes hand in hand with your earlier trick, but please try one food trick at a time. Why? To STrEEETCCCH out the learning, and to give plenty of "marinading" time between lessons. Designing a menu often takes a bit of research - drive around to a few Mexican or Cuban or Spanish restaurants to get ideas. Decide on the meal, and plan it out. Illustrate, add photos or drawings, and learn about the currency in the county or countries that you are emulating. Afterwards, take your menu back to the restaurants you used as research! Enjoy their exclamations over your efforts to give your children a truly global education!
Here are a few options I like to offer in my classes and to the co-ops that use See it and Say It: