Want to immerse your kids in Spanish? Good idea! Spanish immersion programs are one of the most effective ways to help children start speaking Spanish quickly and naturally. But, depending on where you live, immersion programs aren’t always easy to find and you may need to get creative to immerse your kids in Spanish at home.

Is immersion at home possible if you, the parent, don’t speak Spanish fluently? Absolutely! It just requires a bit of effort and creativity.

In this blog post, we’re here to help by providing nine fun ways to immerse your child in Spanish at home. We’ll also share information on how you can get a free trial lesson of online Spanish language classes for your kids with Bilingual Bebe.

Let’s get started by first discussing what makes immersion programs a fantastic way for kids to learn a new language!

What Is Spanish Immersion?

Spanish immersion is a method of learning Spanish through real-life experiences and interactions. When immersed, students are in an environment where they can naturally use the language to communicate with others.

Research shows that kids exposed to Spanish in an immersive environment have better pronunciation, improved vocabulary, and greater confidence when speaking the language. Immersion programs also allow students to develop a deeper understanding of the culture and customs of Spanish-speaking countries.

So, how do you immerse your child in Spanish? Here are some examples:

• Spanish immersion schools – Depending on where you live, you may be able to find a school that offers bilingual Spanish-English instruction. 
• Online Spanish classes – If you don’t live near an immersion school, there are online programs that help to immerse your child in Spanish through regular online classes.
• Study abroad programs – If you have the financial means to travel to a Spanish-speaking country with your child to study the language, this can be a great way to help foster authentic Spanish-language immersion.
• Bilingual household – If you or someone in your household speaks Spanish fluently, you or that person can speak to your child exclusively in Spanish. This is also one of the easiest ways for children to quickly begin to speak Spanish.
• Spanish-friendly household – Even if no one in your household speaks Spanish fluently, you can still create an immersive environment for your child to pick up the language. The tips below will show you how! 

9 Ways to Achieve Spanish Immersion at Home

Even if no one in your house is a native Spanish speaker, there are still ways that you can achieve Spanish immersion at home and raise bilingual children! Here are nine fun ways for you to try.

#1 Encourage Spanish conversation at home

If you are a Spanish speaker, great! You can start speaking with your child in Spanish right away. Even if you didn’t do this when your child was first learning to talk, it’s never too late. The best time to learn a language like a native speaker is between the ages of  0-10.

If you’re not a Spanish speaker, don’t worry. Even with just a few simple phrases, like  “¿Cómo estás?” (How are you?), “¿Qué tal?” (What’s up?), or “¿Dónde está…?” (Where is…?), you can start encouraging short Spanish conversations with your kids throughout the day.

#2 Watch Spanish-language TV shows and movies

A great way to immerse your kids in Spanish is to let them watch Spanish-language TV shows and movies. There are many great Spanish-language shows and movies for kids that you can find on TV, on paid streaming services like Netflix, or for free on YouTube.

#3 Listen to music in Spanish

Listening to Spanish-language music is a great way for kids to learn new vocabulary and improve their pronunciation. You can find Spanish-language music on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Music. You can also listen to Spanish-language radio stations online.

#4 Read books in Spanish

Reading books in Spanish is a great way to immerse your kids in Spanish at home and bond with them at the same time. There are many great Spanish-language books for kids, like Necesito un abrazo, ¡Qué cosas dice mi abuela!, and El monstruo de colores. For more book recommendations, check out our blog post on The Best Spanish Children’s Books for 3-12 Year Olds!

#5 Label household items in Spanish using sticky notes

Labeling common household items in Spanish using sticky notes is a great way to help your kids learn and remember Spanish vocabulary for everyday objects. Plus, it’s a fun way to get everyone in the family involved in learning Spanish!

You can even make a game out of it by seeing who can label the most items in Spanish. To give you a head start, here are a few common household items you can label along with their Spanish translation:

• la puerta (door)
• la ventana (window)
• el sofá (couch)
• la mesa (table)
• la silla (chair)
• el plato (plate)
• el vaso (glass)
• la taza (cup)
• el teléfono (telephone)
• el ordenador (computer)

#6 Play board games and video games in Spanish

Family game night can be a great opportunity for the whole family to practice Spanish! Many popular games like Monopoly, Scrabble, and Candyland have Spanish versions that you can purchase. You can also find other Spanish-language games and video games online.

There are also many language learning apps that you can download onto your phone or tablet that have games, puzzles, and other activities to help your kids learn Spanish.

#7 Change the language settings on electronic devices

Another great way to immerse your kids in Spanish at home is by changing the language settings on electronic devices like phones, computers, and tablets. This will help your kids to see Spanish words and phrases more often, and they may start to pick up on some useful vocabulary.

#8 Sign up for online Spanish language classes

Spanish immersion schools are not the only way to immerse your kids in Spanish. You can create a virtual immersive environment in your home by signing your child up for online Spanish language classes. 

These classes often include games and activities that will help your kids learn Spanish. When looking for online Spanish classes, make sure to find ones that are specifically designed for kids. 

#9 Start a new family hobby or project in Spanish 

Do you want to learn Spanish as a family? Start a new family hobby or project in Spanish! This is a great way to immerse everyone in Spanish and have some fun while bonding together as a family.

Your hobby or project could be something as simple as starting a garden where you only use Spanish names for the plants, forming a Spanish-language book club, volunteering in a Spanish-speaking community, or cooking a Latin American dish together once a week. No matter what you choose to do, the important thing is that everyone involved commits to using Spanish as much as possible.

Want Help Achieving Spanish Immersion at Home?

Spanish immersion at home doesn’t have to be difficult. Following the tips we’ve shared in this blog post, it can also be a lot of fun for the whole family! And if you need some help, online language classes are one of the best ways to get started.

At LingoCircle, we offer online language classes, for children ages 3-15, that make learning Spanish fun and engaging. Visit the rest of our website to learn more, and sign up for a free trial class today!