For parents who want to support their teens’ Spanish fluency journey without speaking the language themselves, this vocabulary is a win-win. It’s easy to practice, fun to remember, and instantly relevant.

In this blog, you’ll find themed vocabulary lists covering everything from fast food favorites to common cooking verbs, sample sentences, and helpful context.

These phrases will help your teen build confidence, speak more naturally, and see that Spanish is more than a subject; it’s a skill they can use anytime, anywhere.

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1. Snack Time Talk – Teen Munchies in Spanish

These are the words your teen can use when talking about after-school snacks, vending machines, or fast food hangouts.

• Papas fritas – French fries
  Common in Latin America, especially at fast food restaurants.
  Quiero papas fritas con mi hamburguesa. – I want fries with my burger.
• Galletas – Cookies
  Not just sweet treats, but also common in lunchboxes.
  Hay galletas de chocolate en la mesa. – There are chocolate cookies on the table.
• Refresco/Gaseosa – Soda
  You might hear bebida in Spain, but refresco or gaseosa are widely used across Latin America.
  Prefiero un refresco frío. – I prefer a cold soda.
• Papitas – Chips
  A casual, affectionate way to refer to potato chips.
  Voy a comprar unas papitas para el recreo. – I’m going to buy some chips for break time.
• Hamburguesa – Burger
  Teens love fast food, and this word pops up often.
  ¡Esta hamburguesa está deliciosa! – This burger is delicious!
• Pollo frito – Fried chicken
  Especially popular in Caribbean and Southern U.S. Latino cultures.
  Vamos a cenar pollo frito esta noche. – We’re having fried chicken for dinner tonight.

2. What’s for Dinner? – Family Meals at Home

These words help teens describe and participate in everyday meals, especially those shared with family.

• Arroz – Rice
  A staple in many Latin American homes.
  El arroz está listo. – The rice is ready.
• Carne – Meat
  Use it generally or specify (like carne de res for beef).
  Vamos a cocinar carne con papas. – We’re going to cook meat with potatoes.
• Verduras – Vegetables
  Healthier vocabulary that comes up at dinner and in class nutrition talks.
  Debes comer más verduras. – You should eat more vegetables.
• Ensalada – Salad
  Same meaning as in English, but a common dinner side.
  Mi abuela hace una ensalada riquísima. – My grandma makes a delicious salad.
• Pescado – Fish
  Watch the difference: pez is the animal; pescado is the food.
  El pescado está bien cocido. – The fish is well cooked.
• Tortilla – Flatbread or omelet
  In Mexico, it’s flatbread. In Spain, it’s an egg-and-potato omelet.
  Vamos a calentar las tortillas. – Let’s warm up the tortillas.

3. Sweet Tooth Central – Desserts Teens Love

Dessert vocabulary is not only fun to say, but it also sticks because teens use it often in conversation.

• Helado – Ice cream
  Great for warm weather and reward days.
  Quiero helado de vainilla. – I want vanilla ice cream.
• Pastel – Cake
  Not to be confused with tarta (more common in Spain).
  Vamos a comer pastel de cumpleaños. – We’re having birthday cake.
• Churros – Fried dough sticks
  Often eaten with chocolate sauce in Spain or Mexico.
  Comí churros con mis primos en el mercado. – I ate churros with my cousins at the market.
• Dulces – Candies
  Used broadly for sweets.
  Los niños tienen muchos dulces. – The kids have a lot of candy.
• Flan – Caramel custard
  A classic dessert in many Spanish-speaking countries.
  El flan de mi tía es famoso. – My aunt’s flan is famous.

4. Ordering Like a Local – Restaurant Phrases That Work Anywhere

These phrases are perfect for teens to try when dining out, whether on vacation or during a Spanish project.

• Quiero pedir… – I want to order…
  Quiero pedir una hamburguesa con queso. – I want to order a cheeseburger.
• Para mí, un… – For me, a…
  Para mí, un taco de pollo. – For me, a chicken taco.
• ¿Cuánto cuesta? – How much does it cost?
  ¿Cuánto cuesta el combo? – How much is the combo?
• ¿Tiene opciones vegetarianas? – Do you have vegetarian options?
  ¿Tiene opciones vegetarianas en el menú? – Do you have vegetarian options on the menu?
• La cuenta, por favor. – The check, please.
  La cuenta, por favor. Ya terminamos. – The check, please. We’re done.

5. In the Kitchen – Cooking Verbs and Recipe Basics

Perfect for teens who like to cook or help out in the kitchen.

• Mezclar – To mix
  Mezcla el arroz con las verduras. – Mix the rice with the vegetables.
• Cortar – To cut
  Voy a cortar los tomates. – I’m going to cut the tomatoes.
• Hervir – To boil
  Tienes que hervir el agua primero. – You have to boil the water first.
• Freír – To fry
  Vamos a freír los plátanos. – We’re going to fry the plantains.
• Hornear – To bake
  Me gusta hornear pan los domingos. – I like baking bread on Sundays.
• Ingredientes – Ingredients
  ¿Cuáles son los ingredientes de esta receta? – What are the ingredients in this recipe?

Bonus Activity: Create Your Own Recipe Card

Pick a favorite food (like sandwiches or tacos), and work together to write the ingredients and steps in Spanish. Even if your child just uses a few verbs and nouns from this list, it reinforces vocabulary with purpose.

Conclusion: Make Spanish Tasty and Memorable

Food vocabulary isn’t just practical, it’s personal.

When teens can talk about what they eat, what they love, and how they help in the kitchen, Spanish becomes more than a subject. It becomes a part of their daily life. These words give your child confidence to speak, connect, and enjoy the learning process without the pressure of perfection. From snacking with friends to ordering at a restaurant, this is language they can use right now.

If you want to keep that momentum going, we invite you to try a free class with Homeschool Spanish Academy. Our program is 100% online, taught by native Spanish-speaking teachers, and offers engaging 1-on-1 or 2-on-1 lessons tailored to your teen’s level and pace.

With flexible scheduling and a supportive curriculum, it’s the perfect next step toward real-world fluency.

At Homeschool Spanish Academy, we make that transformation easier. Our 100% online program offers live sessions with native Spanish-speaking teachers. With a flexible schedule and an engaging curriculum designed for high schoolers, your teen can build fluency step by step and love the process. Ready to see the difference? Try a free class today at Homeschool Spanish Academy.

Join one of the 40,000 classes that we teach each month and you can experience results like these

“It’s great being able to interact with native speaking people and having a conversation with them not just doing all the work on paper. It’s also an amazing opportunity to speak with native Spanish-speaking people without having to travel to a native Spanish-speaking country.”

– Melanie

“Getting to know wonderful teachers who care about me and my growth in language and education. Evelyn Gomez and Erick Cacao are two of the most extraordinary people I have ever met, and talking with them in Spanish at the beginning of classes is always so fulfilling and greatly contributes to my happiness, joy, and wellbeing.”

– Abby

“I love that my children have the opportunity to speak with a live person. They get to practice Spanish in a 1-1 setting while improve their speaking, writing and reading skills during their lessons. HSA is a great way to learn Spanish for all ages! My children are 6, 9 and 11. My oldest two (9 and 11) have been taking classes with HSA for almost 2 years now. They love seeing their teacher each week. They understand the importance of learning several languages. I’ve seen them grow and learn with HSA. I’m excited to see how they will improve the more classes they take. I highly recommend them. You can’t bet learning and speaking with a live teacher. I’ve tried other programs. It’s just not as motivating.”

– Karie Ann, Parent of 3

Want more Spanish Resources for Kids? Check these out!

• Why 2-on-1 Spanish Classes Work Better for Beginners (Especially Middle Schoolers)
• From YouTube to Fluent: How to Use Media to Boost Your Child’s Spanish at Home
• 7 Online Spanish Classes for Kids Offering Free Trials
• 5 Fun and Engaging Ways to Introduce Spanish to Your Preschooler
• Your Child’s First Spanish Conversation: How to Prep, Practice, and Cheer Them On
• 10 Ways Learning Spanish Can Improve Your Child’s Behavior
• 7 Spanish Reading Games for Kids: Boosting Literacy Skills
• 10 Funny Spanish Memes You Can Share With Your Child

The post From Snacks to Dinners: Spanish Vocabulary for Food That Teens Actually Talk About appeared first on Homeschool Spanish Academy.

As a Latino father of two beautiful girls, I know what I’m talking about.

Our culture puts a lot of pressure on fathers, and traditional gender roles and stereotypes do not let us adapt easily to the challenges of today’s world.

That said, Latino fathers love a good laugh and tell typical dad jokes, just like other fathers from around the world. 

Keep reading to learn more about the cultural significance of Latino fathers and the gender roles and family dynamics in Latino culture.

And you read that right; here, you’ll learn 13 of the most hilarious Latino dad jokes!

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Cultural Significance of Latino Fathers

Being a father in any culture isn’t an easy task, but Hispanic dads often struggle more. 

In a typical Hispanic family, obedience and respect for adult authority are core values, and Latino dads tend to be “control freaks.” 

Additionally, 64% of Latino fathers living in the U.S. are immigrants, often finding themselves in a more open society than the one they left behind. 

This situation puts pressure on them and their parenting practices, as the values of American society aren’t the same as those from their countries of origin. 

However, statistics show that 73% of Latino fathers in America live at home with all their children, and 85% have children with only one partner. 

These characteristics promote child well-being.

About Hispanic Gender Roles and Family Dynamics

First, if you want to know the definition of “Hispanic,” it’s important to remember that that term was created by the U.S. government back in the 1970s. 

They tried to “provide a common denominator to a large but diverse population with connection to the Spanish language or culture from a Spanish-speaking country.”

It was a flawed proposition. 

About gender roles, Latinos often hear that “Latino male is the economic provider, while the Latina women are responsible for the domestic roles, like taking care of the children.” 

Also, research has shown that “machismo and patriarchal authority characterize the male role.” 

Such is the role and prejudices that Latino men often face, and they also shape family dynamics. 

13 Hilarious Latino Dad Jokes

Although Latino fathers face plenty of challenges, it’s also true that the bond between a Hispanic father and their kids is one of the strongest out there. 

So, let’s have a laugh with these hilarious Latino fathers. 

1. A Cuban Dad in Mexico

• Papá cubano: ¿A dónde va este autobús? 
• Papá mexicano: A Tacuba. 
• Papá cubano: ¡Ha’ta allá!

Translation: 

• Cuban dad: Where does this bus go? 
• Mexican dad: To Tacuba. 
• Cuban dad: All the way there!

I know this is a Latino dad joke because my father, a typical Mexican dad, always said it.

The key to understanding this joke is to know a little bit about different types of pronunciation in Latin American countries. 

Cuban people tend to “skip over” the letter “s” when talking. 

So, when hearing the Mexican dad telling him that the bus was going a Tacuba (a Mexico City neighborhood), he took it as if a Cuban person had told him, “Hasta Cuba.” But because Cubans don’t pronounce the “s,” it sounds like Ha’ta Cuba.

That’s why he responds, “¡Ha’ta allá!” Because you can’t go from Mexico City to Cuba by bus. 

2. Handsome Son

• Papá, ¿qué se siente tener un hijo tan guapo?
• No sé hijo, pregúntale a tu abuelo. 

Translation: 

• Dad, how does it feel to have such a handsome son?
• I don’t know, son; ask your grandpa. 

This is the perfect joke to say on the next Father’s Day, as it involves a Latino father, a Latino son, and even a Latino grandfather. 

Try to determine who’s the most handsome of the three. Just don’t take it personal. 

3. Feeling Ill

• Papá, me siento mal.
• Pues siéntate bien. 

Translation: 

• Dad, I feel ill. 
• Well, sit properly. 

Latino fathers love a good grammar joke. 

The conjugation of the first person of the verbs sentir (to feel) and sentarse (to sit down) is the same: siento. The Latino dad is playing with that to tease his son. 

4. Who Are You?

• Papá, en la escuela dicen que soy huérfano. 
• ¿Y tú quién eres?

Translation: 

• Dad, at school, they said I’m an orphan. 
• And who are you again? 

Yes, Latino fathers can be cruel too, but they love teasing their children more than anything. 

5. Yellow Eyes

• Oye papá, ¿cómo se dice “ojos” en inglés? 
• Eyes.
• No, “ice” es hielo.
• No, “yellow” es amarillo. 

Translation: 

• Hey Dad, how do you say “ojos” in English?
• Eyes. 
• No, “ice” is ice. 
• No, yellow is yellow. 

Typical silly dad joke, but really hard to translate. 

Ojos means “eyes,” which sounds like “ice,” which means hielo in Spanish. Hielo sounds like “yellow,” which means amarillo. Dizzying, right? 

6. Keep Rowing

• Papá, ya no quiero ir a Europa. 
• Silencio. Sigue remando. 

Translation: 

• Dad, I don’t want to go to Europe anymore. 
• Be quiet and keep rowing!  

One more of those cruel jokes. Does anyone want to row to Europe? 

7. Watching TV

• Papá, ¿puedo ver la tele?
• Vale, pero no la enciendas. 

Translation: 

• Dad, can I watch the TV?
• Ok, but don’t turn it on.

In Spanish, “watching TV” literally translates as ver la televisión, which can also be understood as “watching the TV.” Again, another cruel joke just to have fun with his child. 

8. Eleven Anclas

• Papá, ¿cuántas anclas tiene un barco?
• Once.
• ¿Cómo sabes?
• ¿Nunca has oído eso de “eleven anclas”?

Translation: 

• Dad, how many anchors does a ship have?
• Eleven.
• How do you know?
• Haven’t you heard that shout of “eleven anclas”?

One more untranslatable dad joke. 

In Spanish, ship captains traditionally shout ¡leven anclas! before leaving the dock. It translates as “anchors aweigh” and means the trip is about to begin.

Latino dad just confused leven with “eleven,” which means once in Spanish.

9. Fun Dad

• Papá, ¿qué es una brigada?
• Una mujer con ropa muy calientita. 

Translation: 

• Dad, what does brigada mean?
• A woman wearing very warm clothes. 

This is a silly Hispanic dad joke. 

Brigada means “brigade.” However, a Latino dad understands abrigada as a woman wearing warm clothes. 

10. Fun Dad

• Papá, ¿qué había antes del Big Bang?
• Cómo conocí a su madre.

Translation: 

• Dad, what was there before the Big Bang?
• How I Met Your Mother. 

Latino fathers can be funny when they just want to tease their kids. 

The child asks a scientific question about the Big Bang, and the Latino dad replies with a pop culture answer. 

Before the TV show “The Big Bang Theory,” there was another one called “How I Met Your Mother.”

11. Princess Mom

Translation: 

• Papá, después de tantos años sigues llamando “princesa” a mamá. Dime, ¿cuál es el secreto?
• Olvidé su nombre y me da miedo preguntarle.

• Dad, after all these years, you keep calling Mom “princess.” Tell me, what’s the secret?
• I forgot her name, and I’m scared to ask her. 

This joke isn’t exclusive to Latino fathers but is still funny. 

12. Silly Manolito

• Papá, ¿por qué el nombre que me pusiste significa “monumento de piedra de una sola pieza”?
• De verdad que eres bobo, Manolito. 

Translation: 

• Dad, why does my name mean “a single block of a stone monument?”
• Geesh Manolito, you’re really silly.

Manolito looked for the meaning of his name and instead found the definition of monolito, “monolith,” in English. 

13. Silly Dad

• Papá, ¿qué haces frente a la computadora con los ojos cerrados?
• Nada hijo, es que la computadora me dijo que cerrara todas las pestañas. 

Translation: 

• Dad, what are you doing in front of the computer with your eyes closed?
• Nothing, son, it’s just that the computer told me to close all my tabs. 

The “tabs” on your browser are called pestañas in Spanish, which means “eyelashes.”

A Word From a Latino Father

As a typical Mexican dad, I can tell you that my involvement in my daughters’ education is one of my life’s greatest pleasures. 

Also, sometimes stereotypes about gender and family roles are just that, stereotypes. 

Being a dad isn’t easy, and every culture often faces challenges.

Latino fathers have their own specific challenges, and reflecting on them is an excellent way to overcome them. 

Learn Spanish and Tell More Latino Dad Jokes

If you liked these Latino dad jokes and would like to learn more and laugh with your children, learn Spanish and immerse yourself in this fascinating language!

At Homeschool Spanish Academy, we help thousands of students each month through our individualized lessons and flexible scheduling.

Sign up for a free class with a certified, native Spanish-speaking teacher from Guatemala and start making jokes in Spanish today! 

Wink, wink. 

Join one of the 40,000 classes that we teach each month and you can experience results like these…

“This is the best way for your kid to learn Spanish. It’s one-on-one, taught by native Spanish speakers, and uses a curriculum.”

– Sharon K, Parent of 3

“It’s a great way to learn Spanish, from native Spanish speakers in a 1-on-1 environment. It’s been fairly easy to schedule classes around my daughter’s other classes. The best value for us has been ordering multiple classes at a time. All the instructors have been great!”

– Cindy D, Parent of 3

“HSA offers very affordable, quality, one on one classes with a native speaker. My son has greatly benefited from taking classes. We have seen his confidence increase as well as his pronunciation improve, because he learns from a native Spanish speaker. HSA has quick, personal customer service. Our family has been very pleased with our experience so far!”

– Erica P. Parent of 1

Want to learn more about Hispanic and Latin American culture? Check these out!

• From Snacks to Dinners: Spanish Vocabulary for Food That Teens Actually Talk About
• 13 Hilarious Latino Dad Jokes
• Languages in Spain: How Many Languages Are Spoken in Spain?
• What’s the Difference Between Hispanic and Latino?
• Which Languages Do They Speak in Brazil?
• 6 Unique Festivals in Spain You Won’t Find Anywhere Else
• The Best Spanish Learning Podcasts for Kids
• 12 Contemporary Spanish Female Artists Who Will Empower You

The post 13 Hilarious Latino Dad Jokes appeared first on Homeschool Spanish Academy.

That’s right!  

People in Spain speak mainly four languages, and they’re all available in various parts of the country: Castilian (commonly referred to as Spanish), Euskera, Galician, and Catalan. 

Crazy, huh? 

So, let’s learn about the origins of these languages, where they’re spoken, how many people speak them today, and much more. 

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The Main Languages of Spain

Before diving into these unique languages, let’s get one thing straight. These languages are, in fact, official languages and not dialects.

Simply put, languages are the official ways that people in a country or community talk to each other. Dialects, on the other hand, are smaller parts of a language that are spoken by a certain group of people or in a certain area. Accents are often a good way to tell a dialect apart. 

We can think of language as the broader umbrella term under which various dialects of a language fall. 

Here’s an example. Language: English. Dialect: British English. 

Now that we got that out, let’s dive into some points of interest about the four official languages spoken in Spain.

Castilian or Spanish

No surprise here. Spain’s primary language is Castilian Spanish. 

99% of Spaniards speak Spanish. It’s commonly used in schools, media, TV, entertainment, music, and government websites. 

If you know Spanish, you can survive and even thrive in Spain! 

Today, there are over 43.64 million Spanish speakers in Spain. 

History of Castilian Spanish:

The term “Castilian Spanish” refers to the Spanish spoken on the Iberian peninsula. It is the oldest form of the Spanish language. 

You may know that there are over 450 million native Spanish speakers worldwide, but did you know that Castilian Spanish actually began as a dialect in the northern part of Spain?

In the 13th century, King Alfonso X ruled the regions of Castile, Leon, and Galicia in Spain. 

He held most of his political power in the region of Castile and decided to make Castilian the official language of the court and state.

Also, there was another push for Castilian Spanish during The Reconquista period. 

After the Moors from Northern Africa were driven out of Spain, Castilian Spanish gained momentum through literature. For example, King Alfonso X established academic scribes in Castilian, cementing the language’s place in the region and, dare we say, the world. 

The Castilian Spanish Language

Spanish speakers can interact and understand each other worldwide. But Castilian Spanish and the Spanish spoken in Latin America are not the same in a lot of important ways. The most notable distinction is the ceceo. 

Let’s take a look. 

The letters “c” and “z” are pronounced the same as the letter “s” in Latin American Spanish. In Spain, however, they are pronounced similarly to how English speakers pronounce the “th” sound. 

This is how the Spanish “lisp,” which is not truly a lisp, came to be. 

In Spain, it’s also more common to use the informal plural “vosotros” rather than the formal “ustedes.” 

A Castilian Spanish speaker may say, “¿Qué quereis comer?” instead of “¿Qué quieren comer?”

Castilian Spanish also has quite a few colloquial expressions. You may have heard some of them, like “Vale” which means “Okay,” or “Guay” which people in Spain use to describe something “Cool.” 

Catalan

Catalonia is another popular region in Spain. But did you know the locals have had their own language for centuries? 

There are roughly 9 million Catalan speakers across regions of Spain, France, and even Italy. 

In Spain, you can find over 8 million of them in Aragon, the Balearic Islands, Catalonia, Murcia, and Valencia.

But let’s look at its history. 

History of Catalan

Catalan is a Romance language that, like Spanish, has its roots in Vulgar Latin. 

It comes from the Pyrenees Mountains, which are between France and Spain. It was first written down in the 12th century.

So, yeah, it’s even older than Castilian Spanish! 

Catalan was the official language of the Catalonia region until Spain’s Catholic Monarchs, Ferdinand, and Isabella, united Aragón and Castile and made Castilian the official language.

Although Catalan has existed since the dawn of Spain, native speakers haven’t always been free to use it.

Catalan was banned in schools, books, newspapers, and magazines during the Spanish Civil War, the late 1930s, and Franco’s rule. People weren’t even allowed to use it in public, with friends or family. 

Can you believe it? Just imagine going out with your children and being punished for speaking in your mother tongue! 

But that’s not all! 

Road signs and advertisements in Catalan were all changed to Spanish, and any judicial documents in Catalan were declared invalid.

After Franco’s dictatorship ended in 1975, Catalan-speaking areas regained their right to speak Catalan and kept it alive for future generations. 

The Catalan Language

A common misconception is that Catalan is a dialect of Spanish. This could not be more wrong, as Catalan is an official language that, in some ways, is more similar to French than Spanish.

Let’s look at a couple of common phrases.

• Hello –  Bon dia 
• How are you – Com estàs 
• I’m well – Estic bé
• Thank you – Gràcies
• Goodbye – Adèu 

Euskera, A Basque Language

You might be surprised to learn that the oldest living language in Europe is still spoken in the north of Spain and that it’s even older than Castilian Spanish! 

Approximately 37% of the Basque people still speak Euskera, which rounds up to one million speakers. They live on both sides of the Pyrenees, and most Euskera speakers live on the Spanish side. 

Despite estimates that claim that 60% of Basque citizens will speak Euskera in 2036, in 2010, UNESCO gave the language official “vulnerable” status. 

History of Euskera 

Euskera is distinct from other Spanish-speaking languages in that it has no linguistic relatives. It is a language on its own, with no known Indo-European roots or ties to any other language groups. Cool, huh? 

There are, however, theories regarding the origins of the language.

Some linguists believe Euskera and Iberian (now a dead language) were once the same or evolved from the same language. Others point to cave drawings discovered in the Basque Country around 14,000 years ago as proof that the language has existed since then. 

Much like Catalan, and other minority languages in Spain, Euskera was heavily persecuted during the Spanish Civil War and the Franco dictatorship. 

Euskera speakers today have memories of attending secret church services in the Basque language. 

Others recall when family members were arrested for speaking Euskera during the war.

Even though people tried to kill off the Basque language, it kept going on as it had for thousands of years. 

The Euskera Language

If you travel north of the Basque Country, you’ll come across cities like San Sebastian and Bilbao, where you might hear a strange language that sounds nothing like anything you’ve ever heard before.

Such is Euskera. 

The Basque language has a quirky pronunciation. For example, the letters “tx” make the “ch” sound, while “tt” is similar to the “c” sound in Spanish, and “x” sounds like “sh.”

Here are some common phrases you’ll hear up north:

• Hello – Kaixo 
• Goodbye – Agur
• Thank you – Eskerrik asko
• How are you? – Zer moduz?

Galician

Finally, we bring our attention to Portuguese’s sister language: Galician. 

In the northwestern region of Spain, you can find beautiful fishing towns, lots of octopus, and nearly four million locals chatting in Galician.

If you know any Portuguese, you’ll likely have a relatively easy time understanding Galician, as there is a lot of overlap in its sounds and word structures. 

History of Galician

Galician, like Spanish, Portuguese, and Catalan, belongs to the Western Ibero-Romance language family. It originated in the Roman province of Gallaecia and was the official language of the Kingdom of Galicia until the 15th century when Castilian Spanish replaced it. 

Galician stayed in the back seat until around the 19th century, when there was a revival, and Galician speakers tried to spread the language once more. During this period, intellectuals published literature, research papers, and journalistic articles in Galician.

This resurgence lasted until the 20th century when the language was also outlawed during the Spanish Civil War and the Franco dictatorship. Yes, yet another banned language.

However, unlike many languages, Galician prevailed through its years of persecution. 

There are a lot of things going on today to help younger people appreciate Galician.

The Galician Language

Galician writers like lvaro Cunqueiro, whose gravestone reads, “Here lies someone who, with his work, made Galicia last a thousand more springs,” would be pleased to know that Galician is now taught at home and in schools.

Here are some Galician phrases people might want to know:

• Welcome – Benvido/Benvida
• How are you? – Que tal estás?
• I’m well, thank you – Moi ben, grazas
• What’s your name? – Como te chamas?
• I’m from … – Eu son de …

Learn Spanish Today 

Remember what we said earlier? If you know Spanish, you can survive and even thrive in Spain! Do you want to go to the La Tomatina Festival? Perhaps you’re a soccer fan and want to go see El Clásico. Well, in that case, you might need some Spanish lessons.

But again, there are over 450 million Spanish speakers worldwide. So, if you know Spanish, you can also travel across Latin America! 

So, please consider signing up for a free trial class at Homeschool Spanish Academy. 

Our native-speaking instructors will help you speak Spanish from your very first class, and they’re experts in providing student-tailored Spanish programs for learner-specific language goals. We’ll be waiting for you! 

Join one of the 40,000 classes that we teach each month and you can experience results like these…

“This is the best way for your kid to learn Spanish. It’s one-on-one, taught by native Spanish speakers, and uses a curriculum.”

– Sharon K, Parent of 3

“It’s a great way to learn Spanish, from native Spanish speakers in a 1-on-1 environment. It’s been fairly easy to schedule classes around my daughter’s other classes. The best value for us has been ordering multiple classes at a time. All the instructors have been great!”

– Cindy D, Parent of 3

“HSA offers very affordable, quality, one on one classes with a native speaker. My son has greatly benefited from taking classes. We have seen his confidence increase as well as his pronunciation improve, because he learns from a native Spanish speaker. HSA has quick, personal customer service. Our family has been very pleased with our experience so far!”

– Erica P. Parent of 1

Want to learn more about Spanish and Hispanic culture? Check out these latest posts!

• From Snacks to Dinners: Spanish Vocabulary for Food That Teens Actually Talk About
• 13 Hilarious Latino Dad Jokes
• Languages in Spain: How Many Languages Are Spoken in Spain?
• What’s the Difference Between Hispanic and Latino?
• Which Languages Do They Speak in Brazil?
• 6 Unique Festivals in Spain You Won’t Find Anywhere Else
• The Best Spanish Learning Podcasts for Kids
• 12 Contemporary Spanish Female Artists Who Will Empower You

The post Languages in Spain: How Many Languages Are Spoken in Spain? appeared first on Homeschool Spanish Academy.

Well, it’s a bit tricky.

Research centers and the US government use both terms without distinction and as synonyms. You might’ve even heard people refer to themselves as both.

But are they really the same? Are Spanish people Latino? Should all Latinos call Hispanic too?

We know. That sounds confusing.

For example, the 2010 US Census listed both words in the same check box. It was made specifically for people from Spanish-speaking countries, yet it did not exclude Brazilians.  

Here’s another thing to consider:

People born in Latin America or of Latin American descent prefer to state their countries of origin instead of saying they’re Hispanic or Latino.

In this article, we’ll walk you through the meaning of each term and where they come from.

We’ll also give you all the information you need to understand the difference between Latino and Hispanic.

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Defining the Terms: What Do Latino and Hispanic Means?

According to National Geographic, the word “Hispanic” comes from the Latin term Hispanicus, which means “Spanish” or “related to Spain.”

Romans used the name Hispania for what we know now as the Iberian Peninsula.

“In the United States, in the 19th century, the term “Hispanic” was used to describe people of Spanish descent who settled the Southwest in the days before US annexation,” the author wrote.

Until the 20th Century, “Hispanic” was used mostly for things related to Ancient Spain.

But let’s ask the Spanish now!

The Spanish Royal Academy also indicates that Hispanic refers to or belongs to Hispania.

So, we can safely say that “Hispanic” is for all those with Spanish ancestry coming from the Iberian Peninsula. This means Spain and Portugal.

So far, no one has mentioned Latin America or the Spanish language, do you see?

When we search the definition of Latino, however, we realize that it gets trickier, as the Real Academia Española has several meanings:  

• Relating to the towns of Lazio, or cities with Latin law
• A person who speaks languages derived from Latin
• A person who is of Latin American or Hispanic origin and lives in the United States of America

Weird, huh?

Returning to that National Geographic article, the term “Latino” is short for Latin American. It was first used when a series of former Spanish colonies declared independence in the 1850s.

In other words, they were no longer Spanish but Latin American.

In September 2022, the US Pew Hispanic Center published a study that showed how the Hispanic or Latino population of the United States prefers to be called and how they identify themselves.

The study argues that approximately 62.5 million people (19% of the total US population) identified as Hispanic in the 2021 census.

In other studies carried out in the United States, participants were asked to say which of the following four categories they would choose to base their identity on:

• Place of origin
• Hispanic or Latino
• American
• Another option

The majority preferred to list their places of origin—meaning Mexican, Cuban, Puerto Rican, etc.

After all, “Latino” is a broader term that often overlooks people’s identity or preferences.

What do you prefer? Even if you don’t identify as “Hispanic” or “Latino,” we think it’s an exciting exercise. Are you an American? Do you feel you can relate more closely to your city of origin than the whole country?

Something similar happens with Latinos.

Talking About Identity

Cristina Mora, a sociology professor who researched and studied the history of the term “Hispanic,” says, in this interview, that in the ’60s, before this idea was thought up, people identified using their nationality.

Mexicans, for example, have different cultures, needs, and issues than Puerto Ricans. Same as someone from Oregon and someone from New York. They’re just different.

Here’s a curveball. In the ’60s, people started using “Chicano” to refer to US citizens of Mexican origin.

Have you heard about UnidosUS? This amazing organization helped introduce the term “Hispanic” in the US. Before that, they were mostly considered “White.”

Censuses carried out in the US in the 1970s finally had a “Hispanic” category in them. But many also added subcategories for people who considered themselves “Hispanic” and Mexican, Cuban, Colombian, Guatemalan, etc.

People began ditching “Hispanic” because of its ties to Spain and colonization and started using “Latino.”

But we’re not done! By now, we’re sure you’ve heard of the term “Latinx.”

According to Merriam-Webster’s website, the origin of “Latinx” dates back to the early 2000s as a word to describe Latin Americans who also consider themselves gender-neutral.

After all, the “o” in “Latino,” though, is meant to be an inclusive letter, in the Spanish language, it’s also a masculine word, in the same way as the “a” in “Latina” is feminine.

Quickly “Latinx” gained momentum.

Nevertheless, a Gallup poll from 2021 found that only 4% of Hispanic Americans use Latinx.

So, here’s a quick summary.

People born in Latin America or of Latin American descent are “Latinos,” this includes Brazilians but excludes Spaniards. Spanish speakers are “Hispanic,” which includes Spaniards but excludes Brazilians and people born in Latin American countries that don’t list Spanish as an official language, like Guyana or Haiti.

But even that’s not written in stone. Here’s why:

Misconceptions and Stereotypes

Now that defined both terms let’s look at some examples.

Are Mexicans Latino or Hispanic?

What about Brazilians? Are they Latino, even if they don’t speak Spanish?

Let’s get one thing out of the way. Latinos and Mexicans are two different things. Yes, Mexicans are Latinos, but Latinos come from many other countries across Central and South America and the Caribbean.

We recommend you take an interest in people’s stories and ask them what they would like to be called.

For example, people with indigenous backgrounds might frown upon being called Latino, as the term often excludes their experiences and heritage.

Also, the 62 million Hispanics in the US have different histories and origins and are part of multiracial communities. Often, they transcend the outlines of these two words. So, it’s always a good idea to ask and show empathy.

Here’s another example:

In the 2011 Survey of Latinos, data shows that 62% of first-generation immigrant Hispanics often use their country of origin to define themselves.

For second-generation immigrants, this falls to 43% and 28% for third-generation immigrants.

Additionally, the same data shows how these people use the term “American” to describe themselves.  

Only 8% of first-generation immigrant Hispanics think they’re American.

35% of third-generation Hispanics think they’re American.

And up to 48% of third-generation Hispanics describe themselves as Americans.

And, remember, they were all born in the US.

Individual Identities

You can always go back to the definitions we provided above. However, different people use them differently, which is why it’s so confusing.

One day you might run into a Colombian who calls himself “Hispanic.” Then you might meet a Spaniard who calls herself “Latina.” Then you might meet Guatemalans and Salvadorans living in the US who call themselves “Americans” and are friends of people with a Mexican background who prefer to be called “Chicano.”

But now that you know the basics, we encourage you to talk to your friends and ask them how they identify themselves.  

Let’s Learn Spanish and Get Closer to the Hispanic and Latino Cultures!

By now, we bet that you know what Hispanics and Latinos are, but one thing’s for sure: Spanish is widely used in Latin America and Hispanic countries!

So, if you can speak Spanish, you can easily travel across over twenty countries!

If you are planning to go to Mexico, Argentina, Spain, or even Equatorial Guinea, which is in Africa, you’ll need to learn Spanish. At Homeschool Spanish Academy, you can learn it with the help of our certified Spanish-speaking teachers.

Our sessions are online, flexible, and individualized! We offer a free trial class if you want to take a peek before you sign up and pay.

Click here to check our prices. Remember, we have programs tailored for all ages. It doesn’t matter if you’re Latino, Hispanic, American, or Martian! We’re here for you!

Want to learn more about Hispanic and Latin American culture? Check these out!

• From Snacks to Dinners: Spanish Vocabulary for Food That Teens Actually Talk About
• 13 Hilarious Latino Dad Jokes
• Languages in Spain: How Many Languages Are Spoken in Spain?
• What’s the Difference Between Hispanic and Latino?
• Which Languages Do They Speak in Brazil?
• 6 Unique Festivals in Spain You Won’t Find Anywhere Else
• The Best Spanish Learning Podcasts for Kids
• 12 Contemporary Spanish Female Artists Who Will Empower You

The post What’s the Difference Between Hispanic and Latino? appeared first on Homeschool Spanish Academy.

You might be thinking, “Well, Brazilians speak Portuguese.”

Well, the answer is not that simple. For example, did you know that during the 19^th century, lots of Germans emigrated to Brazil? Or that more than 200 indigenous languages are spoken in this amazing subcontinent? Well, Brazil is full of surprises and languages!

So, pack your suitcase and a light book, because it’s time to board!

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A Quick Introduction

Brazil is the largest country in South America and the fifth largest nation in the world. It’s located on the eastern side of the continent, and it’s 3,286,470 square miles.

It borders every South American country except Chile and Ecuador.

According to The World Factbook, the current population is 217,240,060 (2022 est.).

In this article, you will find interesting facts and important information about what the main language of Brazil is, as well as the most commonly used languages, just in time for your next vacation! 

Official Language of Brazil

Portuguese is the official language of Brazil, and the majority of the population speaks it.

On the Ethnologue website, they detail that 201,000,000 of the Brazilian population speak Portuguese as their first or mother tongue, then 10,200,000 speak it as a second language, and 6,000,000 of the inhabitants do not speak it at all.

Researchers at Britannica say that “Brazilian Portuguese is different from European Portuguese in a number of ways, including some changes in sound and some differences in the way verbs are conjugated and how sentences are put together.”

But how did Portuguese come to Brazil? It didn’t grow on trees like their famous passion fruit!

The Portuguese language arrived in 1500 with the colonization. Tupi was the main language of Brazil’s native people, and Portuguese missionaries and traders used it to communicate with Indians.

According to the Brazil-Help website, in 1757, Tupi was banned by royal decree. However, Portuguese speakers kept words from Tupi and other local languages. Words like abacaxi (pineapple), caju (cashew), tatu (armadillo), piranha (the fish) are originally Tupi words.

In the following years, Brazilian Portuguese received African influence, and at the same time, people in Portugal started adding French to their variation.

These exchanges made the differences between the two languages more notorious.

Brazil gained its independence in 1822, and from that moment on, other European languages kept making changes to it.

Finally, at the beginning of the 21st century, people began to promote the creation of a linguistic norm based on the Brazilian version of the Portuguese language.

That’s quite the ride, huh? Brazilian Portuguese, in fact, keeps changing, mainly due to competition, as we’ll see next!

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Other Widely Spoken Languages in Brazil

 At the beginning of the 19^th century, the immigration wave from Europe and Asia changed the local landscape of Brazil.

People from Spain, Germany, Italy, Japan, and China, began settling around Brazil, and locals added more foreign words to Portuguese.

Let’s look at the influence these languages had on Brazilian Portuguese!

Spanish

According to the 2020 National Migratory Registry in Brazil, there are 6,342,000 Spanish speakers in Brazil, but it’s the mother tongue of only 742,000 of them.

By the way, in 2005, Brazilian president Lula Da Silva approved a bill promoted by Congress to make Spanish the country’s second language.

In addition, as we mentioned, Brazil has borders with almost all the countries of South America except Chile and Ecuador.

Understandably, Spanish is so important for the country’s development. 

English

English is another language that Brazilians have adopted as a common language. In 2020, there were 10,921,000 English speakers in Brazil, but only 121,000 Brazilians used it as their first language.

According to a study by the British Council in Brazil, the main objectives for studying English are expanding knowledge and getting a job. The people polled thought English was necessary for entering the job market and that English speakers were better paid.

Tourism is one of Brazil’s most important sources of income. According to a Business Intriper article, in 2022, Brazil got more than 3 million foreign tourists from these countries:  

• Argentina (883,008)
• United States (373,382)
• Paraguay (256,598)
• Chile (169,671)
• Uruguay (158,705)
• Portugal (121,542)
• France (115,795)
• Germany (104,640)
• United Kingdom (76,335)
• Colombia (74,732)

We can easily understand why foreign languages are so important in Brazil. But what about local languages? Well, Brazilians have hundreds of indigenous languages.

Yes! Hundreds!

Indigenous Languages in Brazil

When Europeans first came to Brazil, people there spoke between 600 and 1,000 different languages. Today, a total of 238 languages are spoken in the country. A demographic census conducted in 2010 by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics indicates that the largest ethnic group in Brazil is the Tikúna, which represents 6.8% of the indigenous population.

However, despite their wide variety, many of Brazil’s indigenous languages are in danger. In fact, of the 238 languages spoken in the country, 217 are living, 21 are extinct, 200 are indigenous, and 17 are non-indigenous.

One of the main threats to Brazilian languages is the invasion of indigenous territories.

Some native groups have been persecuted throughout history, and the only records we have of their languages are from researchers who went to the country many years ago.

This is inadmissible! As the linguist, Angel Corbera Mori from Unicamp’s Institute for Language Studies explains, “If a language is lost, then medicine, ancestral food, stories, and traditions are lost.”

Brazil: A Country of Immigrants

Brazil is one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world!

According to the 2010 World Factbook, Brazil’s ethnic groups are divided into the following percentages: 

• White: 47.7%
• Mixed: 43.1%
• Black: 7.6%
• Asian: 1.1%
• Indigenous: 0.4% 

Brazil remains a very popular country to visit. Its lush landscapes, colorful parades and carnivals, spellbinding music, and unique culture are like magnets for people around the world!

You definitely want to add this destination to your list!

Let Your Trip to Brazil Begin!

I’m thrilled to have shared this travel guide with you, exploring the vibrant and diverse languages spoken throughout Brazil! As you now know, Portuguese is the official language, and I’ve shared fascinating insights into its rich history, from the African and Tupi influences to its modern-day usage. 

Additionally, we’ve explored other widely spoken languages like Spanish and English, highlighting the vital role of foreign languages in Brazil’s thriving tourism industry. 

Lastly, we delved into the endangered indigenous languages of Brazil, shedding light on their cultural significance and the need to preserve them. 

I hope this guide has left you feeling inspired to explore the fascinating linguistic landscape of Brazil further!

Join one of the 40,000 classes that we teach each month and you can experience results like these…

“This is the best way for your kid to learn Spanish. It’s one-on-one, taught by native Spanish speakers, and uses a curriculum.”

– Sharon K, Parent of 3

“It’s a great way to learn Spanish, from native Spanish speakers in a 1-on-1 environment. It’s been fairly easy to schedule classes around my daughter’s other classes. The best value for us has been ordering multiple classes at a time. All the instructors have been great!”

– Cindy D, Parent of 3

“HSA offers very affordable, quality, one on one classes with a native speaker. My son has greatly benefited from taking classes. We have seen his confidence increase as well as his pronunciation improve, because he learns from a native Spanish speaker. HSA has quick, personal customer service. Our family has been very pleased with our experience so far!”

– Erica P. Parent of 1

Want more about Hispanic culture and Spanish language:

• From Snacks to Dinners: Spanish Vocabulary for Food That Teens Actually Talk About
• What to Say When You’re Not Sure What to Say – in Spanish!
• Real Spanish for Real Life: Top Beginner Phrases
• 13 Hilarious Latino Dad Jokes
• Languages in Spain: How Many Languages Are Spoken in Spain?
• What’s the Difference Between Hispanic and Latino?
• Which Languages Do They Speak in Brazil?
• 6 Unique Festivals in Spain You Won’t Find Anywhere Else

The post Which Languages Do They Speak in Brazil? appeared first on Homeschool Spanish Academy.

Across the country, Spaniards and curious visitors join in some of the most extraordinary celebrations that captivate even the most veteran traveler. 

Let’s dive into some of the most unique festivals in Spain, which are only available there. 

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1. La Feria de Abril – Seville

What began as a modest cattle fair in 1847 has transformed into Seville’s most revered celebration: La Feria de Abril, which translates into “April’s Fair.”  

This fair occurs a few weeks after Semana Santa in the Spring.

Locals celebrate by dancing Flamenco, eating tapas, drinking wine, and partying late into the night with friends and family.

Every year, feria-goers vie for a spot in a caseta, a private tent owned by a local family. These tents line the entire length of the fairgrounds and are the center of the celebration. 

It’s like you’re in a different era! 

In the streets and the fairgrounds, you will see women wearing traditional Flamenco dresses and dancing to soulful Spanish guitar tunes. They often travel around the Feria in one of the city’s many horse-drawn carriages and are a cornerstone representation of the Feria de Abril. 

2. Els Enfarinats – Ibi, Alicante

In Spain, December 28th is known as the Day of the Innocents, which recognizes the New Testament story of King Herod’s massacre of infant boys in an attempt to kill Jesus.

Despite its dark past, people now commemorate December 28th with light-hearted jokes and pranks. It’s their version of our April Fool’s Day. 

Nowhere is the day more uniquely-celebrated than in Ibi, in the province of Alicante, Spain. In Ibi, residents have gathered for over 200 years to throw eggs and flour at each other during Els Enfarinats, which means “The Floured Ones” in Valencian. 

“The Floured Ones” festival may be a mess, but it is full of joy and laughter. 

At 8 am, townspeople are already lining the streets waiting for men in military uniforms to arrive with their faces painted in bright colors. They stage a coup d’état, declare a mayor, and begin enforcing bizarre laws. 

When residents have had enough, La Oposicio (The Opposition) fights back by throwing eggs and flour at their new pretend leadership. 

Firecrackers go off, creating colorful clouds of smoke, and by the end of the day, the fake mayor has stepped down, and participants are well-battered and ready for a shower.

If you find yourself in Alicante on December 28th, be careful, or you might get egged! 

3. Batalla de Vino – Haro, La Rioja

This holiday, which translates to “The Battle of Wine,” takes place in the heart of the Spanish wine country of La Rioja, and it’s exactly what its name implies. 

Are there any wine aficionados out here? This is your place to be! Or not! 

On the morning of June 29, townspeople gather outside near Riscos de Bilibio to commence the La Batalla de Vino and douse themselves and their friends in bright red wine. 

By the afternoon, everyone’s white clothes have turned purple, and participants are ready to recover their energy eating snails, lamp chops, and other delicious delicacies. 

The party doesn’t stop there, however. 

Once the feast has concluded, everyone makes their way back to the town of Haro to continue the festivities with music, and people dance in the streets like there’s no tomorrow.

The celebration goes back to the 6th century when people made pilgrimages to San Felices de Bilibio’s burial site. By the 20th century, those pilgrimages turned into baptism celebrations, which gave life to the wine battle we know today. 

4. La Fiesta de los Patios – Córdoba

Known for its famous Mezquita, the Roman bridge, and the Calahorra tower, the Andalusian city of Córdoba is also home to an important UNESCO Heritage Site: La fiesta de los patios. 

Every spring, proud residents adorn the patio courtyards of their homes with colorful flowers, stone mosaics, and ceramic decorations to celebrate the Córdoba Patio Festival. 

These old-style homes are open to the public typically during May and sometimes host small artisanal markets to draw in more visitors.

Patio courtyards are a symbol of Andalusian architecture, which dates back to the days of the Romans and incorporates elements of Nothern African and Spanish styles. 

These central patios are a way to keep cool during the region’s hot summer months, and today, they serve both practical and cultural purposes. 

The Cordoba City Hall began this tradition in 1918, which continues to be one of the city’s most charming attractions.

5. El Colacho – Castrillo de Murcia, Burgos

On the first Sunday after Corpus Christi, residents in Castrillo de Murcia celebrate the triumph of good over evil in a rather unusual way. 

El Colacho, a pestering character who represents the devil, has one goal: to spoil the town’s joyful celebration. 

As he marches through the street in his bright yellow and red costume, children and parade-goers insult him until he ultimately fails in his mission. 

By the day’s end, good has officially defeated evil.

Everyone in the town has a role to play during the day of El Colacho, even the children. During the most noteworthy part of the parade, El Colacho races through the streets and jumps over mattresses holding several babies. As soon as he leaps, the town priest blesses the infants.

The odd tradition dates back to the Middle Ages and continues to grow in popularity. 

Here’s a nice peak of that iconic leap we mentioned earlier! 

6. Las Fallas – Valencia

In March, residents gather in Valencia to celebrate the region’s most significant holiday: Las Fallas. 

For three weeks, the city celebrates with parades, musical performances, fireworks, religious offerings, and partying. 

The main spectacle are the ninots: giant papier-mache floats that stand over 20 feet tall and depict celebrities, politicians, fictional characters, and other pop culture figures. 

It’s quite common to see Spiderman next to Putin and Donald Trump during Las Fallas. 

One of the important days is dedicated to the city’s patron Virgin: “Our Lady of the Forsaken.”

Attendees, known as falleros, dress in traditional Valencian clothing and dance at the Plaza de la Virgen, where they present her with flowers. 

On other days, the townspeople come to watch the mascletas, which are concerts of fireworks and gunpowder explosions. 

At the end of the Fallas celebrations, people gather to participate in the Nit del Foc (The Night of Fire), in which they set the ninots on fire on a giant bonfire. 

Learn Spanish Culture with Spanish Language Classes

Did these celebrations spark any wanderlust? Did you learn anything new?

If you’re interested in learning more about Spanish customs and traditions, head to our blog for more educational resources. 

If you’re considering learning Spanish, consider signing up for a free trial class. 

Our native-speaking teachers specialize in providing student-tailored Spanish programs and flexible scheduling to make it easy and convenient. So whether you’re a beginner adult or interested in having your child learn Spanish, there is a teacher for you. 

We can’t wait to help you learn more about the Spanish language and culture. We’ll be waiting! 

Join one of the 40,000 classes that we teach each month and you can experience results like these…

“This is the best way for your kid to learn Spanish. It’s one-on-one, taught by native Spanish speakers, and uses a curriculum.”

– Sharon K, Parent of 3

“It’s a great way to learn Spanish, from native Spanish speakers in a 1-on-1 environment. It’s been fairly easy to schedule classes around my daughter’s other classes. The best value for us has been ordering multiple classes at a time. All the instructors have been great!”

– Cindy D, Parent of 3

“HSA offers very affordable, quality, one on one classes with a native speaker. My son has greatly benefited from taking classes. We have seen his confidence increase as well as his pronunciation improve, because he learns from a native Spanish speaker. HSA has quick, personal customer service. Our family has been very pleased with our experience so far!”

– Erica P. Parent of 1

Do you love Hispanic culture? Check out our latest posts!

• From Snacks to Dinners: Spanish Vocabulary for Food That Teens Actually Talk About
• 13 Hilarious Latino Dad Jokes
• Languages in Spain: How Many Languages Are Spoken in Spain?
• What’s the Difference Between Hispanic and Latino?
• Which Languages Do They Speak in Brazil?
• 6 Unique Festivals in Spain You Won’t Find Anywhere Else
• The Best Spanish Learning Podcasts for Kids
• 12 Contemporary Spanish Female Artists Who Will Empower You

The post 6 Unique Festivals in Spain You Won’t Find Anywhere Else appeared first on Homeschool Spanish Academy.

If you’ve been searching for a way to boost your child’s Spanish skills without adding more screen time, podcasts are a fantastic solution. They provide effortless exposure to Spanish, improve listening comprehension, and make language learning feel like a fun adventure rather than a lesson.

Also, stick around until the end for a free PDF guide: “Top 10 Spanish Podcasts for Kids”, with recommendations sorted by age and episode suggestions to get started!

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Why Podcasts Are a Powerful Tool for Learning Spanish?

Listening is one of the most natural ways for kids to acquire language skills. Research from the University of Washington found that children exposed to interactive spoken language develop stronger vocabulary and listening comprehension skills compared to those who learn only through reading and writing.

Additional research shows that bilingual children have enhanced memory, problem-solving abilities, and better cognitive flexibility than monolingual children.

What does this mean for your child?

Spanish-language podcasts help kids develop fluency naturally by training their ears to recognize words and phrases in context!

Best Spanish Learning Podcasts for Kids

So, here are some of the best Spanish podcasts designed specifically for young learners!

1. Eat Your Spanish (Ages 3-8)

Why it’s great: Hosted by a bilingual couple, this interactive podcast teaches Spanish through music, stories, and games in an engaging and fun way.

Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts

2. Spanish Stories for Kids by Duolingo (Ages 4-10)

Why it’s great: This podcast introduces bilingual storytelling, where English narration transitions smoothly into Spanish, helping kids follow along.

Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts

3. Cuentos Increíbles (Ages 5-12)

Why it’s great: Offers exciting short stories in Spanish, ranging from fairy tales to original adventures, making listening time educational and fun!

Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts

4. Nómadas (Ages 8-15)

Why it’s great: This travel-focused podcast exposes kids to different Spanish-speaking cultures while improving their vocabulary and comprehension skills.

Available on RTVE

5. Spanish Playground Podcast (Ages 5-10)

Why it’s great: It’s a playful and educational podcast that introduces useful phrases and vocabulary through songs, rhymes, and short stories.

Available on the Spanish Playground Website

6. StoryLearning Spanish (Ages 10+)

Why it’s great: This podcast tells engaging daily stories in Spanish, helping older kids naturally build vocabulary and comprehension.

Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts

How to Use Podcasts for Maximum Learning

To get the most out of these Spanish podcasts, try these simple strategies:

• Create a Listening Routine: Play a podcast during breakfast, car rides, or bedtime to make Spanish part of your kid’s daily life.
• Encourage Active Listening: Pause episodes to ask your child questions about what they heard.
• Use a Transcript (if available): Some podcasts offer transcripts. Use them to follow along and reinforce vocabulary.
• Repeat Episodes: Listening to the same episode multiple times helps with retention and comprehension.

Get Your Free PDF: “Top 10 Spanish Podcasts for Kids”

Want a handy list of the best Spanish podcasts sorted by age and episode suggestions?

Download our free PDF guide to make Spanish learning effortless and fun!

• Podcast recommendations by age group.
• Episode suggestions to start with.
• Tips on how to incorporate Spanish podcasts into daily routines.

Click here to grab your free guide now!

Final Thoughts: Make Spanish Learning Fun & Easy

Podcasts are a stress-free way to introduce Spanish into your child’s daily routine. They’re engaging, educational, and don’t require extra screen time. It’s a win-win for parents and kids!

Start exploring these amazing Spanish learning podcasts today and watch your child’s confidence in Spanish grow!

¡Vamos!

Join one of the 40,000 classes that we teach each month and you can experience results like these

“It’s great being able to interact with native speaking people and having a conversation with them not just doing all the work on paper. It’s also an amazing opportunity to speak with native Spanish-speaking people without having to travel to a native Spanish-speaking country.”

– Melanie

“Getting to know wonderful teachers who care about me and my growth in language and education. Evelyn Gomez and Erick Cacao are two of the most extraordinary people I have ever met, and talking with them in Spanish at the beginning of classes is always so fulfilling and greatly contributes to my happiness, joy, and wellbeing.”

– Abby

“I love that my children have the opportunity to speak with a live person. They get to practice Spanish in a 1-1 setting while improve their speaking, writing and reading skills during their lessons. HSA is a great way to learn Spanish for all ages! My children are 6, 9 and 11. My oldest two (9 and 11) have been taking classes with HSA for almost 2 years now. They love seeing their teacher each week. They understand the importance of learning several languages. I’ve seen them grow and learn with HSA. I’m excited to see how they will improve the more classes they take. I highly recommend them. You can’t bet learning and speaking with a live teacher. I’ve tried other programs. It’s just not as motivating.”

– Karie Ann, Parent of 3

Want more free Spanish resources? Check these out!

• 12 Beginner Spanish Books for Middle School and High School
• 10 Ways Learning Spanish Can Improve Your Child’s Behavior
• 7 Spanish Reading Games for Kids: Boosting Literacy Skills
• Spanish Books That Teach More Than Words: Boosting Culture and Connection Early
• 9 Free Homeschool Curriculum Options with Daily Lesson Plans
• The 10 Most Impressive Spanish Books to Read Before College (And Why They Matter)
• 10 Simple Spanish Words Your Preschooler Can Learn This Week
• 9 Ways to Keep Your Middle Schooler Engaged in Spanish (Even if They’re Already Fluent)

The post The Best Spanish Learning Podcasts for Kids appeared first on Homeschool Spanish Academy.

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A Brief Look at Spanish Contemporary Art 

The term “contemporary art” defines pieces of art and architecture from the 20^th century onward. Modern Spanish art dates back to the 19^th century, to a time when the country experienced social instability, economic rivalry, and political turmoil. People wanted a change, and Spanish artists were looking to stir things up and use their voices. 

A revolution in the arts started and new manifestations that broke the conventional art model once appreciated started appearing. Spanish artists introduced new techniques, materials and styles. These avant-garde currents known as ismos (isms), with the most emblematic being impresionismo (impressionism), cubismo (cubism), expresionismo (expressionism) and surrealismo (surrealism) became a part of Spain’s contemporary art scene. 

This art revolution came to stay, plus Spanish contemporary art continues to evolve. Current events, irony, and a sense of humor play a big part in the message modern art communicates. Spanish artists and their modern creations have earned their place in well-known museums, and different forms of Spanish art like music, photography, sculpture, and performance art can be admired all around the world. 

Spanish Female Artists are Breaking Barriers

Spanish art has come a long way, but there was a time when museums rarely included women in their collections, places like Museo del Prado only had four Spanish female artists in their entire collection and the industry was dominated by men.

Luckily times changed, powerful artists are campaigning for women’s rights, and finally, creative spaces like inclusive museums and all female galleries are starting to boom in cities like Barcelona. 

Spanish female artists deserve this long-awaited recognition and honoring their legacies is essential to the future and inspiration of society and younger generations.

I invite you to celebrate and honor these talented women with me, let’s take a look at 12 contemporary Spanish female artists who will empower your creativity.

1. Cristina Iglesias

Born 1956 in San Sebastián

Sculptor

Concept and work

Cristina is a sculptor and engraver from the Basque Country. She’s known for using different materials like alabaster, resine, iron and organic waste applied to different techniques that focus on enhancing textures and space. She started small in the 1980’s with local expos and has come a long way in the international contemporary arts scene. 

She’s held exhibitions in Switzerland, Taipei, Paris, Canada, Venice, United Kingdom and the United States’ Carnegie Institute. In 1999 she was honored with the Premio Nacional de Artes and currently has pieces in New York’s Museum of Modern Art (MOMA), London’s Tate Gallery, the Museo de Arte Contemporaneo de Barcelona (MACBA), and other reputable museums around the world. 

Her most famous creation is located in Madrid, this grand piece is known as the puerta-escultura (sculpted doors), and it’s the entry door of one in three buildings of the Museo del Prado. The towering work of art is 19 feet tall and weighs 22 tons, it’s considered indestructible and memorable for all visitors of the museum. 

2. Maruja Mallo

Born 1902 Viveiro

Painter and Illustrator

Maruja is the pioneer of avant-garde Spanish female artists of the 20th century and a great friend of surrealist Salvador Dalí. Maruja studied art in the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando in Madrid. She was a painter and illustrator, who belonged to literary art circles of Spanish society. 

Her style is known for twisting visible reality and combining it with the dream world, it’s expressive, colorful, and has defined contours. Maruja worked as a professor and held her first exhibition in 1935. While she was exiled to Argentina after the Spanish civil war, she was able to return to Spain in the 1960’s where she passed away in Madrid 35 years later, in 1995.

Art connoisseurs consider her the first Spanish female artist to dabble in surreal art. Her works of art can be appreciated in the Museo Nacional de Arte Reina Sofía. 

3. Remedios Varo

Born 1908 in Girona

Painter

Concept and work

Even though Remedios is Catalan, her surrealist style blossomed in Mexico and she thought of herself as Mexican at heart. 

She was a member of the opposition during the Spanish Civil War, and because of her honest criticism of the dictatorship, the powers-that-be incarcerated her briefly and forced her to leave the country. She moved to Paris before heading to Mexico. Upon arrival, she befriended Frida Kahlo and gained most of her inspiration from the colorful life she lived in Mexico. 

In her works, Remedios Varo sought to transfigure the role of women as an object of male desire, and as such they’re depicted as alchemists, witches, and spiritual beings. Remedios created alternative worlds, where imagination fuses with reality creating new forms. Throughout her life, Remedios participated in over 95 shared exhibitions and 14 completely dedicated to her life’s work. She passed away in Mexico City in 1963. 

Her entire collection is available in Mexico’s Museo de Arte Moderno (MAM). 

4. Maria Blanchard

Born 1881 in Santander

Painter

Maria Blanchard’s known for her paintings in cubist style. She was born with severe disabilities and a deformed spine, which produced walking difficulties. Children of her childhood teased Maria relentlessly as she grew up, which scarred her emotionally and caused the development of psychological traumas. She found art as a way of expressing her feelings and escaping her troubles. She studied in Madrid, learning the lush use of colors and precision in drawing, which are key elements of her compositions. 

She spent time in Paris where she hung around other Spanish artists who influenced her own cubist style. Maria’s work became figurative, colorful, and expressive over the years. Some even considered her work to be intimidating and harsh because it was emotional and strong. She died at the young age of 51 in 1932. 

5. Naia del Castillo

Born 1975 in Bilbao

Sculpture and Photography

Concept and work

Naia del Castillo is an innovative multidisciplinary photographer and sculptor who’s received many grants and awards. She has lived and worked in Bilbao, Rotterdam, London, Barcelona, París, Roma, New York, Hong Kong, and Madrid. 

Her pieces question the division between existence and meaning, you’ll find elements related to the body, women’s issues, everyday life and nature. Her work is included in the collections of Museo del Prado, Museo Nacional de Arte Reina Sofía, Houston ‘s Fine Arts Museum, and more. 

Since 2016, she’s worked as a professor and is writing her doctoral thesis on the relationships between sculpture and photography in current artistic practices. Naia holds a bright future ahead and she’s written for different art publications and media. 

6. Erlea Maneros Zabala

Born 1977 in Bilbao

Multidisciplinary photographer, painter and illustrator

Erlea Maneros Zabala is Basque artist living between Spain and Joshua Tree, California. She’s known for fusing groups of images, examining their conditions of production, their effects, and observing the contexts in which they’re created, archived, and displayed. 

Her works of art challenge the traditional and create unique abstract objects. She ‘s held solo exhibitions in the Guggenheim Bilbao Museum and the Museo Nacional de Arte Reina Sofía. She’s considered a pioneer of contemporary art in the Basque community. 

7. Carmen Laffon

Born 1934 in Sevilla

Painter and sculptor

Formed in Sevilla, Carmen’s art beginnings started thanks to her father’s support. She entered art school at the young age of fifteen in her hometown and after three years continued her formation in Madrid and Paris. 

Currently Carmen is a professor of fine arts and was named an academic by the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando in Madrid. Carmen represented Spain in international exhibits and received the Premio Nacional de Artes Plásticas (National Prize of Plastic Arts)  in 1982. 

Her works of art reflect her independence, freedom and radical style. Her techniques include charcoal, pastel and oil painting; she focuses on landscapes, still life, portraits, and everyday objects. Carmen still lives in Sevilla and has four of her creations on display at the Museo Nacional de Arte Reina Sofía. 

8. Lara Almarcegui

Born 1972 in Zaragoza

Photographer and conceptual artist

Lara Almarcegui is unique among Spanish female artists and her art is mindblowing and unconventional. She carries out artistic interventions and installations, recognized for its series of demolitions, self-constructions, and wasteland. 

Her work leaves room for different interpretations and examines a process or urban transformation brought by social, economical, and political changes. Lara focuses on the unconventional and overlooked, she uses construction materials and wastelands. As a part of her creative process, Lara photographs the sites and collects data about the vacant areas before they’re transformed. 

You could say she’s sort of a modern archaeologist who questions the current state, development, and decay of spaces. Her participation in 2013’s Venice Biennale was a deconstruction of the property where it was held and presented a display of the same materials and quantities used by employees when it was built. It was a mind-blowing display accompanied by exhaustive research, incorporating geology and mining to analyze the uncontrollable urbanization of Venice. 

Lara is a groundbreaking artist who has her own gallery in Madrid and is currently living and working in Rotterdam. 

9. Esther Ferrer

Born 1937 in San Sebastián

Performance Art and photography

Concept and work

Esther is an interdisciplinary artist focused on feminist performance art and considered one of the strongest Spanish female artists of her generation. She started doing individual interventions in the middle of the 1960’s and also performed as a member of an art collective named ZAJ. She represented Spain in the Venice Biennale in 1997 and was granted the Premio Nacional de Artes Plásticas (National prize of Plastic Arts) in 2012. 

Esther’s works carry irony and humor as they apply the use of non-conventional materials like photographs, cable, and everyday objects. She’s recognized worldwide and her art’s taken her to exhibit in Germany, England, Switzerland, Belgium, Canada, Poland, Brasil, Thailand, Mexico, Japan, and Korea. 

10. Cristina Lucas

Born 1973 in Jaén

Performance art, happening, video, photography, installation, drawing, and painter

Cristina Lucas lives and works in Madrid. She’s a multidisciplinary artist who focuses on analyzing main political and economic structures so she can reveal contradictions between official history, reality, and memory. 

Cristina’s art and message is embodied through installations or images. She’s known for questioning and bending the concept of gender, for her unique perspective, and strong feminist ideals. Her work’s been presented in individual exhibitions in Mexico, Luxembourg, Shanghai and Moscow. 

11. Julia Spinola

Born 1979 in Madrid

Sculpture and Drawing

Julia has a degree in Fine Arts from the Complutense University of Madrid. Her work is focused on the relationship between gestures, materials, body, and space. She uses concrete and different recycled materials in her pieces. The perspective of her work is often variable and depends on the observer. 

She participated in international individual and shared exhibitions along with other Spanish female artists. She was granted the Premio Ojo Crítico de Artes Plásticas (Critical Eye Award for Plastic Arts) in 2013.

12. Dora García

Born 1965 in Valladolid

Performance art, photography and film

Concept and work

Dora Garcia’s work presents multiple realities. She’s a film director, performance artist, and interventor who focuses on telling stories by placing you in a scenario where you’re able to question everything around it. She’s highly conceptual and her work has texts, sound, drawings, photographs, video, and installations restricted to specific locations. 

Dora invites her audience to participate in her art, where each of her exhibitions is an experience and leaves viewers with altered perceptions or with a degree of skepticism and discomfort. Her art has traveled to Buenos Aires, Tel Aviv and was in the Venice Biennale in 2011. Dora’s creative, imaginative, and modern techniques are conquering the arts of the digital world. 

Also for you: 8 types of Spanish music and Latin American music.

Share your Thoughts!

I hope you’re feeling as creative and inspired as I am after reading this blog post! Now you’re familiarized with the diversity in contemporary art and how Spanish female artists are vital to the industry. These women are set to inspire younger generations of artists to be just as innovative as them. Can you think of any Spanish artists who’ve inspired you? Let me know in the comments below and let’s start a conversation!

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What’s Jade? 

Jade is a rare metamorphic rock made deep underneath the layers of the earth from thousands of years of heat, pressure, and time. You won’t find a recipe for it on WikiHow, that’s for sure! Since it’s so hard to bake at home—not to mention, rare, durable and remarkably pretty—you’ll find jade expressing its opulence and sophistication everywhere, from on the crowns of dead kings to your Aunt Pearl’s 35th wedding anniversary earrings. 

How is Jade Made in Guatemala?

Jade is the result of two tectonic plates colliding furiously against each other. To create the perfect jade-making conditions, these slow-moving, sliding slabs of earth need to rack up a whopping 600 degrees centigrade and a literally earth-crushing 500,000 pounds of pressure for every square inch. 

Guatemala sits on top of two of these tectonic plates, commonly known as the Motagua fault line which runs east to west through Guatemala’s southeast highlands, and even encompasses some parts of Guatemala City. 

This jadeite-rich area is known as the Sierra de las Minas, or “jagged mountain range of the miners.” On the south side of the Motagua fault line, the jade is around 130 million years old. On the North side, it’s only a humble 70 million. 

What is the significance of this colossal divide? 

Well, scientists believe that there must have been two major collisions in the area to produce two different “batches” of jade. Like other types of stone, jade provides an interesting window into the history of the earth itself. 

Jade Around the World

There are two types of jade: nephrite and jadeite (the kind found in Guatemala). Jadeite is harder and rarer, so more valuable—sometimes, even more so than gold. 

You can find this jadeite in New Zealand, Myanmar, Taiwan, Surinam, Guyana, Canada, southern Europe, China, and Russia. (Amazingly, one of Taiwan’s biggest attractions is a cabbage made of jade!)

Jade from all over the world comes in a full spectrum of colors and finishes—depending on its make up. Examples include speckled jade, which contains flecks of metal, and deep green or black Guatemalan jade is rich in iron.

Jade is one of the world’s oldest decorative stones. Yet, unlike “precious stones” that include diamonds and rubies, jade is classed as a “semi-precious” stone. In reality, there’s no real scientific difference between these two categories—they’re merely marketing terms designed to make select gemstones seem more valuable. 

To think of it: Golem from Lord of the Rings whispering “my semi-precious” just doesn’t have the same ring to it, does it?

The History, Uses, and Symbolism of Guatemalan Jade 

Jade has been used to decorate tools, ornaments, mosaics, and weapons for around five thousand years throughout China and Mesoamerica. 

Mesoamerica included parts of central Mexico, Belize, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Honduras, northern Costa Rica, and of course, Guatemala. In total, the area spanned around 325,000 square kilometers. 

In Guatemala, the Maya believed jade to have a spiritual significance, connecting the Maya people to their grand pantheon of gods, to the natural world, the supernatural world, and to the afterlife. 

In fact, the old Aztec or Nahuatl word for jade was “chalchihuitl”, which, with its associations of divinity, has been translated to mean both “heart of the earth” and “beauty”.

A Ticket to the Afterlife 

The Maya not only considered Guatemalan jade as a symbol of status and wealth, but also a passport to the next life. As such, it adorned the tombs of the royal and the prestigious.  

Kings, for example, were buried in jade masks and chest plates, which acted like a first class ticket through the underworld. Intercelestial travel at its finest. 

The traditional, everyday Mayan person, on the other hand, was buried underneath the floors of their own homes with their mouth stuffed full of food along with a single jade bead. 

Guatemalan Jade Jewelry

Teeth filing, painting, and decoration were common in Maya society between 300 and 800 AD and was very well established as an art around 600 AD, when the Great Mayan empire was at its most powerful and influential. Back then, there was no finer bling than a good old-fashioned jade inlay. 

But if you didn’t fancy getting your teeth drilled, polished jade pendants were all the rage. Worn to emulate the Sun God Kinich Aha (whose depiction shows him with a mirror on his head), this particular trend was rooted in its spiritual significance. By polishing the stone to become more mirror-like in appearance, the pendant indicated a closer connection to the sun god, therefore increasing the status of the wearer. 

Guatemalan Jade Writing 

The Maya used Guatemalan jade jewellery and plates to write important scripts and histories. They did this via inscription. Using a “string saw”, skilled artisans would draw a cord back and forth with water and sand particles as a cutting agent. 

In 2015, a large jade pendant was discovered in Belize with thirty Maya hieroglyphs about King Janaab’ Ohl K’inich, a ruler over the powerful Maya city in Caracol (in modern day Belize). 

The text talks about an incense-scattering ceremony in A.D. 672 that gives great insight into traditional Maya ceremonies and religious practises thought to bring on wind and rain. What’s more, it gives details of the king’s family lineage and accession rights, helping to keep power in the family line. 

Why Did the Maya Write on Jade?

Due to its unchanging appearance over time, the Maya associated jade’s symbolism with eternity and the immortals. Therefore it was a chosen medium for recording (and legitimizing) the lives of important people, such as King Janaab’ Ohl K’inich, Tecun Uman and K’inich Janaab Pakal (Pakal the great). 

The rulers of Mayan society worked hard to appear godlike. This justified their position as leaders and helped to keep power within the family. Jade, along with the temples, the ceremonies, and other such status symbols, were a part of maintaining that persona. Therefore, jade was used as a powerful political tool.  

Guatemalan Jade and Symbolism

Depending on the color, jade is supposed to have different attributes and mystical qualities. Guatemalan lavender jade, for example, attracts love. 

All (twenty-three) shades of green jade are supposed to have healing properties. In fact, the English word for jade comes from the old Spanish word l’ajade, from piedra de (la) ijada which means “stone of colic or pain in the side.” Because jade was often worn as an amulet to cure colic, kidney stones, and other maladies. 

The most coveted jade by the Maya is known as Imperial jade. It symbolises power, status, good luck, and eternity. This was exactly the type of jade worn by Maya royalty as well as other high status individuals. 

The Spanish Influence on Guatemalan Jade 

The Spanish invaded Guatemala throughout the 16th and 17th centuries. During this time, the Maya kept the location of their jade reserves well hidden.

In the end, the conquistadors didn’t spend much time (if any) seeking out Guatemalan jade. For the invaders, it didn’t have the same value in comparison to gold and other precious stones and materials. 

It was for these reasons that the main Guatemalan jade excavation site was lost for five hundred years. 

Rediscovering Guatemalan Jade

In 1974, archeologist Mary Ridinger and husband anthropologist Jay Ridinger discovered jade specimens in the Motagua river, a 250-mile long river in the western highlands of Guatemala. 

Upon further investigation, the anthropologists discovered three pre-Columbian quarry sites with enough jade to re-establish the Guatemalan trade industry that had sat dormant for 450 years. Soon after, the Ridingers established a company called Jades, S.A. to work the jade and opened a retail store in Antigua, Guatemala called Jade Maya. 

One of the Most Significant Jade Discoveries 

Then, in 1998, a devastating storm hit Central America. Thousands died as floods and landslides reshaped the landscape. Old veins of jade were exposed as deposits washed up on riversides. 

This led to further discoveries and within a few years an exhibition of scientists and jade hunters hit the jackpot, seizing control of “bus-sized” boulders scattered across the Guatemalan highlands. One archaeologist called the discovery ”one of the most significant” finds in decades. 

Guatemalan Jade Today  

Today, the majority of Guatemalan jade is excavated from Zacapa, in the Sierra de las Minas. Here, the miners, or los mineros, bash large boulders with special hammers to listen for a distinctive “jade-like” ring to emanate from the hammer. 

When the hammer makes the right tune, the miners know they’ve struck  jade, and that it’s time to begin extracting the deposits. 

As time goes on, archeologists and geologists alike continue to uncover more and more about Maya history and the secrets of Mother Earth. 

For your trip to Guatemala, you’ll find artisans who craft everything from talisman and miniature totems to bracelets, spoons, and napkin rings at the jade stores you choose to explore.

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This is a common and pervasive perception that continues to cause confusion and concern among not only parents of bilingual children but also teachers and pediatricians. 

This question has taken on new prominence in recent years as more and more children grow up speaking multiple languages at home. In 1980, approximately 11% of households in the United States were bilingual, according to the annual American Community Survey (ACS). As recently as 2018, that number has nearly doubled to 21%, representing close to 63 million people. 

In short, bilingualism does not cause speech or language delays. These beliefs are often based on misconceptions rather than scientific research and facts.

In this article, I’ll cover some o pressing questions about your child’s bilingual speech development, and provide tips and techniques to raise proficient and confident communicators within a bilingual household.

Let’s start with the basics. 

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What is a Speech and Language Delay?

Speech and language development often begins with slight cooing in infancy. It then progresses to babbling, and eventually a child produces their first understandable words. 

While every child develops on their own timeline, speech-language pathologists look for general milestones when determining a child’s speech habits and proficiency. For example, a typical two-year-old should be able to intelligibly say about 50 words in two- and three-word sentences. From there, a child’s vocabulary rapidly increases, and by age 3 they should be using as many as 1,000 words in everyday conversation. 

A child may be considered to have a speech delay if they don’t meet these typical milestones. This is a common problem that can affect up to 10% of preschool children, regardless of whether they’re learning to speak one or two languages. 

Speech delays can often be confused with language delays. However, these are two separate conditions (although a child may have both). While speech delays affect a child’s articulation of words, a language delay can occur when a child has trouble using and understanding words. 

For example, they may have difficulty learning new vocabulary words or stringing words together into coherent sentences (expressive language disorder). They may also find it challenging to extract meaning from the words they hear around them (receptive language disorder). 

Yes, children learning two languages at once can experience speech or language delays. However, they are no more suseptible than monolingual children. 

Where Does This Myth Come From?

It’s never easy to identify the genesis of a myth. However, this long-standing misbelief most likely springs from the idea that bilingual children are more prone to confusion. In other words, they don’t fully grasp how and when to use vocabulary because it’s split between two languages, which can lead to a “silent period.” 

If we want to get technical, this is actually a common occurrence that’s called “code-mixing.” This means that a child (or an adult) may mix words from two languages into the same sentence. While this is a completely normal part of bilingual speech development, research has dispelled the myth that it causes a delay in their communication abilities. 

A bilingual child may code mix for two reasons:

1. All children learn language from listening to those around them—namely, their parents and caregivers. If you’re bilingual yourself, or live in a bilingual community, you know that adults code mix all the time. Children simply absorb and repeat what many of us do everyday.
   
2. Compared to a monolingual child, a bilingual child may not have the same expansive bank of vocabulary words available in both languages to draw from. Therefore, they may “borrow” the word from another language. This isn’t a deficit at all! Quite the contrary, this demonstrates a child’s resourcefulness and ingenuity to form sentences using all available information. 

As children get older and their linguistic abilities expand, they’ll be able to distinguish and modulate between the two languages their conversational partners use. 

One helpful tip is to keep the language that’s being spoken to your child consistent in the moment. While it’s okay if your child code mixes on their own, you should try not to combine languages in the same setting. 

For example, if you’re speaking Spanish at the breakfast table, speak Spanish. If you later use English at the playground, then use English. Also, encourage family members to speak the language that they’re most comfortable with. 

What are the Benefits of Raising Bilingual Children?

Now that we’ve debunked the idea that bilingualism can cause speech or language delays, let’s turn this question on its head. Can raising a bilingual child actually increase their language development? 

A mountain of research has sought to answer this question. Let’s look at some of the common advantages of teaching your child two languages at once.

Personal Abilities

Bilingualism opens people up to a world of possibilities and a slew of advantages when it comes to employment, speaking with extended family members, making friends, understanding and appreciating different cultures, and more. These reasons alone should encourage anyone to learn a new language.

Social Understanding

Social skills are a key part of childhood development. This refers to how children respond to different social situations, their ability to empathize and understand people with different perspectives and backgrounds, and how they communicate and act in group settings (for example, sharing toys, using appropriate facial expressions, actively listening, or managing their emotions). 

Studies have shown that bilingual children have increased social awareness and understanding, which is not surprising. In many cases, bilingual children are navigating a more complex social environment, as well as interacting with people from different cultures. 

Cognitive Advantages

While the cognitive advantages of knowing more than one language is well-documented in adults, research (here and here) also suggests that toddlers and infants display improved cognitive development. 

More specifically, young children may show increased abilities to switch between activities and perform executive functioning tasks (such as time management, multitasking, problem solving, and working memory) that are critical for academic and professional success. 

These advantages seem pretty obvious when you think about it: bilingual children are constantly practicing their ability to switch between languages, honing skills like selective attention and cognitive flexibility. These skills are essential to all aspects of our lives, even beyond language development. 

Supporting Bilingual Language Development at Home

When it comes to bilingual speech and language development, parents and caregivers play a key role. Many at-home activities and routines help improve your child’s vocabulary development, speech proficiency, and comprehension of both languages. 

However, all of these techniques come down to one simple principle: exposure. Expanding your child’s bilingual learning comes from constant and fully immersive exposure to both languages. Frequently speaking and interacting with your child in each language—and providing ample encouragement throughout the learning process—will help them grow and develop into a bilingual communicator. 

It’s important to note that language development has countless positive downstream effects for children: it helps improve their literacy skills, reading comprehension, and academic success. 

Nevertheless, patience is key! It may sometimes be discouraging for parents raising a bilingual child when you hear them mixing their languages. However, as mentioned previously, this is completely normal. What’s important is that you provide plenty of practice, persistence, and encouragement! 

Language-building Activities to Practice with Your Child at Home 

1. Narrate Your Daily Life

It sounds simple, but children grow their language skills from listening to those around them. One way to immerse them within a language-rich environment is to simply narrate the activities and daily routines you’re performing together in the target languages you’re teaching: mealtime, bath time, getting dressed, playing outside. 

Just simply describe what you’re doing in the moment (like using soap to get clean, cooking dinner, or brushing your teeth) in either language. They’ll be incorporating these phrases into their language habits in no time!

If you don’t speak the target language you’d like your child to learn, be sure to sign them up for 1-on-1, professional Spanish classes with the wonderful teachers at Homeschool Spanish Academy!

2. Language Expansion 

Natural language expansion is an effective technique that speech therapists use all the time. The concept is simple: put the words your child is saying into a longer phrase for them to imitate. 

For example, if your child regularly says “jugo” to signal they’re thirsty, you can respond back by saying “jugo, por favor.” You always want to be working one skill level above your child. So, if they’re already saying two-word phrases such as “jugo, por favor,” you can model back a three-word phrase like “quiero más jugo” or “me gusta jugo.”

The simplest way to accomplish this is to connect your child with a native Spanish speaker, which we provide at Homeschool Spanish Academy. Learn more about how the program works!

3. Model Correct Language

When practicing your child’s communication skills, try to resist the temptation to “overcorrect” their speech errors. Constantly interrupting your child can lead them to feel frustrated and discouraged, and they may be less likely to practice.  

What you can do instead is correctly model the word or phrase your child should have said at that moment. For example, if they’re using the word “ugo” instead of “jugo,” then just use the proper pronunciation when you hand them the beverage.

4. Read Regularly

A child’s ability to read fluently, identify items in pictures, and comprehend both written and verbal language is key to their development. Reading regularly is essential for a child’s budding brain, starting in infancy. Reading constantly to your child, and switching between both languages, improves their vocabulary, comprehension, and listening skills. Here is a list of free Spanish books to read to your children. 

How to Tell if Your Child has a Speech Delay

While learning two languages doesn’t cause a speech delay, it can still happen to any child. It can be difficult to determine whether your child is just a late talker who will soon catch up or if there’s a more serious challenge that requires intervention. 

If you have concerns that your child may have a speech or language delay, it’s generally recommended that you receive a full evaluation from a licensed speech-language pathologist. There are many bilingual speech therapists who can help evaluate, diagnose, and treat communication issues in children.

Common Signs of a Speech Delay

Here are some common signs that could signal a speech or language delay for kiddos between 18-30 months old:

Understanding Language

Language includes much more than verbal language. If your child can understand language and follow simple directions, they’re more likely to catch up with their peers. If they’re not able to comprehend or grasp what you’re saying, there could be a more severe issue at hand. After all, children must be able to comprehend language before they can use it themselves.

Using Gestures

Similarly, pay close attention to whether your child is actively using gestures to communicate (such as waving hello and goodbye, pointing to objects they desire, or raising their arms to signal they’d like to be picked up). This is a key component of language development and means your child is more likely just a late bloomer. 

Learning New Words

At this age, children should be regularly learning and applying new vocabulary words to their speech. They should also be starting to put these words together to form short sentences, requests, and questions. If you don’t hear new words often, speak with your pediatrician, or seek help from a speech-language pathologist. 

Move Forward with Speech Therapy

Speech therapy can be delivered in a variety of settings: a private clinic, school, or online. Increasingly, many parents and caregivers have turned to online speech therapy due to its effectiveness, affordability, and convenience. What’s most important is that you find a speech therapist and setting that works best for your child.

More Forward with Live, Kid-Friendly Spanish Instruction

Allowing your child to make a strong connection with a Spanish teacher online is a key to mastering their target language. Are you ready to encourage your little one to practice active listening and sharpen their Spanish speaking skills? Try a free class today with one of our native Spanish-speaking teachers from Guatemala. They’re equipped to meet your child at their level in a friendly and fun way that’s guaranteed to keep their interest!

Join one of the 40,000 classes that we teach each month and you can experience results like these

“This is the best way for your kid to learn Spanish. It’s one-on-one, taught by native Spanish speakers, and uses a curriculum.”

– Sharon K, Parent of 3

“It’s a great way to learn Spanish, from native Spanish speakers in a 1-on-1 environment. It’s been fairly easy to schedule classes around my daughter’s other classes. The best value for us has been ordering multiple classes at a time. All the instructors have been great!”

– Cindy D, Parent of 3

“HSA offers very affordable, quality, one on one classes with a native speaker. My son has greatly benefited from taking classes. We have seen his confidence increase as well as his pronunciation improve because he learns from a native Spanish speaker. HSA has quick, personal customer service. Our family has been very pleased with our experience so far!”

– Erica P. Parent of 1

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The post Are Bilingual Children More Likely to Experience a Speech or Language Delay? appeared first on Homeschool Spanish Academy.