I am teaching my little sister Spanish....any advice?

Question

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Answer 1

At age 7, it's important to just take it slow. The first verb I learned was "ir". It was a good place to start.

This book is amazing...perfect for beginners

Specifically for kids

Another kid book

Helpful textbook for beginners

Actually hearing the Spanish is so important so you can get the actual accent!

That's a good start. Definitely throw in some Dora the Exploradora Don't be opposed to speaking Spanish to her in everyday life example: [¿Estás lista para escuela?]. . My mom is learning Spanish, and I'll ask her simple sentences It's so important to incorporate it into everyday life. Learning Spanish is one thing, applying it is another.

Best of luck to you and your sister.

What great resources, Sonrisa. I'm tempted to order them for myself! :-) - babs_irish, Jun 7, 2011

Thank you :) - el_jefe, Oct 2, 2011

No problem! - SonrisaDelSol, Oct 2, 2011

Answer 2

You can watch together movies and t.v. programs in Spanish, listening and translating Spanish songs (You Tube with lyrics in Spanish is a good option too), teach her to write in Spanish too, using one of this books to learn to write in Spanish. Good luck!

The problem with this is getting her to keep her attention on that and not get bored. - el_jefe, Jun 7, 2011

Answer 3

You didn't mention her age, which could make quite a difference. If she's a child, you could read children's books in Spanish to her.

She is 7 so keeping her attention is the issue. - el_jefe, Jun 7, 2011

Answer 4

And her age?

In any event, talk to her Spanish all the time, answer everything in Spanish and don't acknowledge anything in English.

I am the only one in the family who can speak Spanish, my brother and my mother who are both with her everyday speak English. Me only speaking Spanish to her will not help as much as it would if all of us were speaking Spanish. And she is 7 and so far she - el_jefe, Jun 7, 2011

is learning great :) - el_jefe, Jun 7, 2011

Answer 5

Plan a trip with her to a Spanish speaking country as an incentive to learning. It could be 5 years out, but it will make the learning relevant.

You can research places to go and things that are going on in those locales. This will build vocabulary and interest.

I don't think I will be doing that lol. It is a good idea though. - el_jefe, Jun 7, 2011

Answer 6

Hola, tu,

Only teach her what you know is absolutely correct.

Answer 7

Play "cars" and get her used to trilling her R's. That's an easy skill to gain when young, and much much harder as you age. Just search the forum for this topic to see the intense frustration many have in learning that.

Answer 8

Give her lots of encouragement.

Answer 9

Try doing things together in only Spanish. Wash and dry the dishes, maybe cook something, make some pancakes or something easy. Later before you go shopping prepare the list in Spanish and then select the stuff together in the supermarket, all in Spanish. teach her a few "drop in" words to give her time to think: pues, vale, bueno, entonces... Pues no lo se, déjame ver, es que...

Good luck

ok thank you :) - el_jefe, Oct 2, 2011