Spanish, in particular, is a frequent choice when deciding on a second language for your child due to its widespread use around the world. 

8% of the world’s population speaks Spanish, and it’s the fourth most spoken language after English, Hindi, and Mandarin. 

Therefore knowing Spanish obviously increases your child’s career opportunities. 

Join 559 million people on the planet who speak Spanish!
Sign up for your free trial Spanish class today.

Benefits of Learning Spanish

Enrolling your child in Spanish classes can boost their cognitive, social, and emotional development and hence improve your child’s behavior.

And these are only a few of the advantages!

How your child behaves depends not only on their genes or other biological reasons but also on communication issues or emotional reasons. 

Learning Spanish can improve cognitive functions, memory retention, critical thinking, and creativity. 

It can also enhance cultural awareness and communication skills and boost your child’s emotional intelligence.

In this article, we will explain the benefits of learning Spanish for your child’s general conduct. Keep reading to know why and how!

10 Ways Learning Spanish Can Improve Your Child’s Behavior

Now that you know why learning a second language is important, let’s look at how learning Spanish can improve your child’s behavior. 

1. Improve Cognitive Functions

Cognitive functioning refers to various mental skills, such as learning, thinking, reasoning, decision-making, and attention, among others. 

Learning Spanish can benefit children’s cognitive development in multiple ways!

Research shows that bilingual children demonstrate more cognitive flexibility than monolingual kids. So, providing your child with opportunities to learn Spanish will enhance their cognitive abilities.

2. Increase Cultural Awareness 

Learning Spanish can also increase cultural awareness in children.

It exposes them to Spanish-speaking cultures, traditions, and customs, expanding their overview. 

Spanish classes can easily introduce children to Hispanic heritage. Kids can learn Spanish songs, play Hispanic games, and read books in Spanish. 

It will slowly prepare them to appreciate diverse perspectives and to be open-minded global citizens who respect cultural diversity and inclusivity.

3. Increase Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence is the ability to manage your own other people’s emotions.

It’s not a secret that emotional intelligence matters as much as IQ and can help you build stronger relationships and achieve your goals. 

Empathy and self-awareness are some of the key elements of it. 

You surely have guessed by now that learning Spanish enhances emotional intelligence and empathy.

It allows your child to deepen their cultural understanding and expand their analysis abilities, as I mentioned above. 

Learning Spanish language and culture engages kids with the practices and values of different countries.

Bilingual kids learn how to interpret the emotions of others more accurately and also learn new ways to express themselves.

They know how to put themselves in the shoes of another person.

They’re better at reading mouth movements, facial expressions, and subtle gestures as they grow up in more complex learning environments. 

4. Increase Creativity and Problem-solving Skills

Learning Spanish can also increase creativity and problem-solving skills in your child by providing them with new perspectives and ways of thinking. 

Knowing Spanish will let your kid access new information, resources, and networks and inspire novel, creative solutions to problems. 

Studies show that bilingual children are much better at solving problems than their monolingual counterparts since speaking two or more languages requires executive functioning and higher-level cognitive skills.

This is because learning a new language requires children to engage with complex grammatical structures, vocabulary, and cultural nuances.

5. Enhance Communication Skills

It is one of the most obvious benefits of learning Spanish for your child. 

It enhances their communication skills by improving their ability to express themselves differently and connect with people from different cultures. 

Your child will develop listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills, essential for effective language communication. 

Moreover, bilingual kids are better at switching between tasks which can help them to communicate effectively in different contexts. 

6. Improve Memory Retention and Recall

Learning Spanish is practically a mental workout that exercises your child’s brain. 

Your child will need to learn vocabulary, grammar, and new sentence structures, memorize, and use them in their daily conversations. 

This repetitive and ongoing process of memorization and recall strengthens neural pathways in the brain responsible for memory and recall. 

A more exercised memory has undeniable long-term benefits for your kid’s future academic and professional career!

7. Increase Self-confidence and Self-esteem

Learning Spanish will increase your child’s self-confidence and self-esteem by giving them a sense of accomplishment, pride, and competence. 

Bilingual kids communicate more effectively and generally feel more confident navigating unfamiliar situations. 

Children who feel successful at it will naturally improve their self-esteem and confidence.

When your kids grow up and choose electives in school, knowing Spanish will provide them with a competitive advantage and open up opportunities in the future. 

8. Greater Adaptability and Flexibility

The brain of a bilingual child constantly exercises the ability to switch between languages and adapt to different contexts.

Increased emotional intelligence also improves their adaptability and flexibility.

In the future, your child will be more flexible and capable of adapting to a different culture, increasing their working opportunities.

It’s a necessary skill and mindset to thrive in our ever-changing world!

9. Improve Social Skills

Yes! You shouldn’t be surprised that learning Spanish improves your child’s social skills.

This process allows them to interact with different people and develop cross-cultural communication skills. 

Knowing Spanish will help your child connect with Spanish-speaking kids in other countries and make new friendships and connections.

This will broaden their social network and make their life richer and more diverse.

10. Increase Academic Success

Last but not least, learning Spanish at an early age leads to increased academic success later on. 

Your child will be able to excel not only in Spanish, although possible language electives and AP classes are definitely among the top benefits of learning Spanish.

Enhanced cognitive abilities, better memory, attention, and problem-solving skills translate into better school performance across subjects.

This is a direct way to academic success and, of course, a more attractive professional career. 

Improve Your Child’s Behavior and Performance with Spanish Classes

Now that you know that learning Spanish has a positive impact on your child’s behavior, you should start thinking about enrolling your child in Spanish classes. 

You can give it a try, sign up for a free trial class at HSA, and invest in your child’s education and behavior. 

We know how to make our students happy, and parents have even voted us the “Best Overall Online Spanish Classes for Kids.” 

Our student-tailored Spanish programs make it simple for your child to enjoy and thrive in their language-learning journey.

We can’t wait for you to join us!

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 free Spanish lessons, fun content, and easy learning strategies for kids? Check these out!

• Can Middle Schoolers Really Learn Spanish Without Flashcards?
• Your Child Knows Spanish Words, Now What? How to Turn Vocabulary into Real Conversations
• From Snacks to Dinners: Spanish Vocabulary for Food That Teens Actually Talk About
• 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

The post 10 Ways Learning Spanish Can Improve Your Child’s Behavior appeared first on Homeschool Spanish Academy.

By the way, there are other advantages of speaking another language. 

Regardless of why you want them to learn Spanish, some tips might help you.

Even if you don’t speak Spanish, you can follow some simple strategies to ensure your child acquires this language successfully. 

Keep reading, and see how to teach your child Spanish at home.

Key Tip #1: Start Early

Years of research have established that childhood is the best time to start learning a language. 

Yes, the sooner, the better.

When a child has contact with another language at a very early age, their brain simply has more time to absorb and process all new information.

What’s more, they are learning the language the same way they learned their mother tongue: naturally and intuitively.

Your kid doesn’t have to memorize grammar rules or vocabulary lists at this point. Instead, they will simply absorb them through exposure and practice, making them fluent in the long run. 

At this stage, they can also improve their pronunciation and intonation. But remember, it’s not that easy later in life. 

Bilingual kids can also learn additional languages in the future more easily.

It’s okay if you’re scared about teaching your kid a language you don’t know. We’ve all been there. 

We recommend you check out the National Network for Early Language Learning site for helpful tips for teaching Spanish.

Key Tip #2: Immerse Your Kids in the Language

If you’re wondering what’s the best way to teach Spanish to kids, the answer is “language immersion.” 

If you immerse your child in Spanish daily, they’ll be able to learn new words and grammar, and especially work on their pronunciation!

Language immersion is a powerful way for kids to learn a new language like Spanish, and an easy one to achieve even in a household where nobody speaks this language.

It may be challenging to think about signing your toddler up for an abroad language exchange immersion course. But don’t give up just yet. 

You can always use playgroups, watch Spanish TV programs for kids, listen to Spanish songs, play games in Spanish, read books in Spanish, or even go to Spanish-speaking countries. 

You can also try simple activities like labeling household objects in Spanish.

Key Tip #3: Encourage Spanish Classes and Practice Opportunities

While language immersion is important for learning any language, a structured practice is also crucial for developing fluency and proficiency. 

Structured practice will help your child focus on grammar structures and build a solid foundation in their language. 

Maybe you’re not able to provide a structured practice yourself. But don’t get discouraged. Finding Spanish classes for kids is not that difficult. 

See if your local community center, library, or school offers Spanish classes or activities.

You can also sign your kid up for online classes tailored to their age and allow them to practice at home.

Key Tip #4: Use Technology and Apps

Technology is your friend! It has revolutionized language learning. Nowadays, it is much easier for children to learn any skill on their phones or tablets.

Your kid can use hundreds of engaging apps, games, and programs to practice their language skills with or even without your help.

With language apps, they can access personalized learning experiences, interactive and fun activities, real-time feedback, and visual art that attracts young learners. 

Some cool Spanish language apps your kid might like are Duolingo, Memrise, Spanish School Bus, Gus on the Go, and Falou.

You can also try Spanish podcasts for kids, YouTube videos, and educational websites. 

Editor’s pick: 16 Educational Spanish Apps for Kids in 2023

Key Tip #5: Surround Children with Spanish Speakers

One of the best ways to teach kids Spanish is to surround them with native speakers. 

This will expose your kid to the language regularly. 

They’ll also have a chance to listen to correct pronunciation and intonation and provide many opportunities to practice speaking, listening, and understanding the language.

What if nobody in your family speaks Spanish? 

Don’t worry. 

You can find native Spanish speakers in local cultural events and festivals, Spanish playgroups, and events and activities hosted by local Spanish cultural centers or language schools. 

You can also host a Spanish-speaking foreign exchange student.

Key Tip #6: Encourage Self-Expression and Creativity

Self-expression and creativity are also important in language learning and can help your kids develop language skills.

Children can practice any language more meaningfully and personally if they can use it to express themselves creatively. 

This can help them engage and retain new vocabulary and grammar concepts more effectively and build confidence in their language abilities!

You can have your kid illustrate Spanish stories or write their own comics. 

They can create art inspired by Spanish themes they’re learning in class and make their own songs with words they learned during the week. 

Older kids with more language skills can discuss their favorite books or movies in Spanish.

Key Tip #7: Reward Progress and Celebrate Successes

Don’t forget that positive reinforcement is an important tool for motivating children in language learning. 

Most kids will learn better if they feel positive about their progress. Also, remember that encouraging your child’s effort helps build their confidence and motivation.

You should celebrate little successes when they’re learning new vocabulary when they understand a new grammar structure or achieve a language milestone.

Little kids love stickers, and you can use them to create a special chart to track progress. 

If they achieve a set goal, you can celebrate by going to the movies together or eating ice cream. 

Or maybe you can even give them money to add features to your kid’s avatar in Roblox. How about that?

Oh, here’s another idea, ask them to play Roblox in Spanish. 

Key Tip #8: Make Spanish Fun and Enjoyable

It’s not a secret that when kids have a good time in class, they have a better time learning.

If you make Spanish learning fun and enjoyable, your kid will be motivated, engaged, and enthusiastic.

You can always go a step further!

Together you can try cooking traditional Latin American dishes, traveling to Spanish-speaking countries, dressing up, playing karaoke, or doing anything your kid loves but in Spanish.

Transform Your Child’s Future with Bilingualism

I hope you found these tips helpful and are excited to try them with your kid.

Remember to start early and provide many opportunities for language immersion. Also, surround your child with Spanish with the help of books, apps, songs, and movies. 

Interactions with native speakers are also key! 

But if you’re looking for more structured practice, you can schedule a free online class at Home School Spanish Academy.  

Have a look at our various programs, and remember that we give our students a chance to transfer their credit to public high schools or institutions of higher learning.

But regardless of how your kid’s learning a new language, let them be creative, let them have fun, and celebrate their achievements! 

Try out Homeschool Spanish Academy at no risk!
Sign up for your free accredited online Spanish class today.

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 the Spanish language? Check out our latest posts!

• Can Middle Schoolers Really Learn Spanish Without Flashcards?
• Your Child Knows Spanish Words, Now What? How to Turn Vocabulary into Real Conversations
• From Snacks to Dinners: Spanish Vocabulary for Food That Teens Actually Talk About
• Why 2-on-1 Spanish Classes Work Better for Beginners (Especially Middle Schoolers)
• 12 Beginner Spanish Books for Middle School and High School
• How to Build a Spanish Practice Routine That Sticks (And Doesn’t Spark Eye Rolls)
• Why Learning Spanish Feels Harder as an Adult, And What You Can Do About It
• 10 Ways Learning Spanish Can Improve Your Child’s Behavior

The post Equipping Your Child for Fluency: 8 Tips for Teaching Spanish appeared first on Homeschool Spanish Academy.

They only seem similar because of how they sound. 

Let’s have a look now at all the shades of meanings of llegar vs llevar with many example sentences. I’ll also show you how to conjugate these -AR verbs in some basic tenses.

Let’s start.

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Sign up for your free accredited online Spanish class today.

Llegar Vs llevar – The Basics

You will mainly translate llegar into “to arrive” or “to get,” but you’ll see that is more to this verb, and it often expresses figurative meanings. It is an intransitive verb that doesn’t require a direct object afterward, it will never be followed by who or what.

Mis primos llegaron ayer.

My cousins arrived yesterday.

Llevar, on the other hand, is a transitive verb, and it usually translates into “to take.” Of course, it also has other meanings that I will show you. 

As a transitive verb, it is always followed by a direct object, who, or what.

Lleva el perro al doctor.

Take the dog to the doctor.

Let’s go to the details now of llegar vs llevar. 

Verb Llegar 

I will show you first how to use llegar and how to conjugate it in some basic sentences.

Meaning and Usage of Llegar

As I already mentioned before, llegar mainly translates into “to arrive” and “to get,” let’s see now this and other meanings.

1. To Reach a Place

The easiest meaning to remember is when llegar translates into “to arrive”  or “to get” to a place.

¡Mamá, ya llegué!

Mom, I’m home!

Tus libros llegarán mañana.

Your books will arrive tomorrow.

¿Cuándo llegamos?

When will we arrive?

2. To Be The Time For

You can also use llegar to talk about when things happen in a certain moment.

Y ni nos dimos cuenta cuando llegó el día del ensayo general.

And we didn’t even notice when the day of the dress rehearsal arrived.

Ya quiero que llegue el verano.

I can’t wait for summer to arrive.

3. To Be Sufficient

Llegar also means to be enough

El dinero que recibo no me llega, así que tendré que buscar otro trabajo.

The money I get is not enough, so I will have to look for another job.

4. To Extend

If you use llegar with the preposition a, it can mean to reach something.

El cable no llega, tienes que pasarme uno más largo.

The cable does not reach, you have to give me a longer one.

It can also be used figuratively in this sense.

El precio llegó a su máximo.

The price has reached its maximum.

5. To Get To

Another meaning with the preposition a is to get to something or become someone, used in a figurative meaning.

Así nunca llegarás a ser alguien.

This way, you will never become somebody.

Juntos llegamos a la conclusión que esto no tiene sentido.

Together we came to the conclusion that this makes no sense.

6. To Be Able To

Llegar also means to manage to do something.

¿Llegaste a ver el cantante desde tu lugar?

Did you get to see the singer from your place?

Llegar Expressions 

You can also use llegar in some expressions.

1. Llegar lejos

This expression may be used to predict a bright future for someone. 

Esta chica llegará lejos. 

This girl will go far. 

2. Llegar y besar (el santo)

You’ll use this one to explain the rapidity with which something is done, being successful the first time you do something.

Ayer llegué y besé el santo en el casino. ¡Gané en el bingo y fue mi primera vez!

Yesterday I arrived and kissed the saint in the casino. I won at bingo, and it was my first time!

Conjugation of Llegar

Let’s see how the verb llegar conjugates in the present, past, and future tenses. It’s a -ar verb with very few irregularities that are easy to learn.

Present Tense Conjugation Chart: Llegar

Llegar is regular in the present tense. 

Llegamos mañana a las 4 pm.

We will arrive tomorrow at 4 pm.

El agua llega hasta las rodillas. 

The water reaches our knees.

Preterite Tense Conjugation Chart: Llegar

The verb llegar is regular in all forms of the Spanish preterite tense but the first person singular.

Llegaste justo a tiempo.

You arrived just in time.

Ayer me llegaron juguetes nuevos. 

Yesterday I got new toys.

Future Tense Conjugation Chart: Llegar  

You’ll be happy to hear that llegar is also regular in all forms of the Spanish future simple tense.

¿A qué hora llegarás?

What time will you arrive?

Verb Llevar 

I will show you now how to use llevar and how to conjugate it in some basic sentences.

Meaning and Use of Llevar

As I already mentioned, llevar mainly translates into “to take something,” but it has many other meanings.

1. To Transport

Use llevar to mean to take or carry something from one place to another, or even to give a ride to someone or to escort someone to a place.

Lleva esta ropa a su lugar.

Take these clothes to their place.

Tienes que llevar tus cubiertos al comedor.

You have to take your cutlery to the dining room. 

Me llevas a la estación, por favor. 

Take me to the station, please. 

El portero nos llevó hasta nuestra habitación.

The doorman led us to our room.

2. To Wear

Another common meaning is to wear something.

Me gusta siempre llevar algo negro.

I always like to wear something black.

3. To Spend Time On Something

If you want to say that something “takes” you a certain amount of time, use llevar.

¿Cuánto tiempo lleva llegar hasta la cima?

How long does it take to get to the top?

Llevo cinco horas estudiando y ya no puedo más. 

I have been studying for five hours and I can’t take it anymore. 

4. To Be More Than

Llevar also means to be ahead of something or someone, or to be older.

El piloto mexicano lleva 10 segundos de ventaja.

The Mexican driver is 10 seconds ahead.

Le llevo 4 años a mi hermana.

I am 4 years older than my sister.

5. To Manage

Levar also means to handle something in a literal or figurative sense.

Mi padre lleva la compañía.

My father runs the company.

¿Y cómo llevas lo del divorcio?

And how are you coping with the divorce?

6. To Lead To

In literal meaning, llevar can also mean “to lead to.”

Todos los caminos llevan a Roma.

All the roads lead to Rome.

7. To Have (Auxiliary)

Llevar also can function as an auxiliary verb when used with the past participle.

Llevo leídas cuarenta páginas.

I have read forty pages.  

Llevar expressions 

There are not so many idiomatic expressions with llevar that you will use on a common basis.

1. Llevar consigo

To have it as a consequence or to carry it along. 

El dinero no siempre lleva consigo el estilo.

Money does not always bring style.

Check here other Expressions with llevar.

Conjugation of Llevar

Let’s see how the verb llegar conjugates in the present, past, and future tenses. It’s a regular -ar verb.

Present Tense Conjugation Chart: Llevar

Llevar is regular in the present tense. 

Te llevo si quieres.

If you want, I can give you a ride.

No deberían llevar nada pesado pues es una caminata muy larga.

You should not carry anything that’s too heavy because it is a very long hike.

Preterite Tense Conjugation Chart: Llevar

The verb llevar is regular in all forms of the Spanish preterite tense.

No llevamos nada al cumpleañero.

We didn’t bring anything to the birthday boy.

Su padre llevó la compañía a la bancarrota.

His father drove the company into bankruptcy.

Future Tense Conjugation Chart: Llevar  

You’ll be happy to hear that llevar is also regular in all forms of the Spanish future simple tense.

¿A qué hora llevarán los platos sucios a la cocina?

At what time will you take the dirty dishes to the kitchen?

Check here other forms of conjugation of llevar.

Llegar vs. Llevar  – Multiple-Choice Quiz

Ready to check if you remember all about llegar vs llevar? There’s one correct option for each question.

1. Te _________ al aeropuerto
   1. llevo
   2. llego
2. No deberías _________ este vestido, te va a dar frío.
   1. llevar
   2. llegar
3. ¿Cuánto tardamos en _________?
   1. llevar
   2. llegar
4. Tus libros todavía no _________.
   1. llevan
   2. llegan
5. Ya _________ la primavera.
   1. llevó
   2. llegó
6. Mi marido me _____ cinco años.
   1. lleva
   2. llega
7. No me _________ mi sueldo.
   1. lleva
   2. llega
8. ¿Cómo _________ tu enfermedad?
   1. llevas
   2. llegas
9. ¿Te gustaría _________ la empresa?
   1. llevar
   2. llegar
10. ¿_________ a ver el arco iris?
    1. Llevaste
    2. Llegaste

Keep Practicing Llegar vs Llevar

Did you get it all right? I’m sure you’re motivated right now to keep learning, and llegar vs llevar no longer are troublesome to you.

Why not sign up for a free trial class with Homeschool Spanish Academy? 

Apart from professional benefits, being bilingual has also many advantages in terms of your health—it can delay the onset of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease for example.

What do you get with HSA online Spanish lessons? Native, authentic Spanish instruction and student-tailored Spanish programs. A certified professional teacher will help you with your grammar doubts and fear of speaking.

Sign up now for a free trial class at Homeschool Spanish Academy, practice meter vs poner (and much more!) in a 1-to-1 conversation! 

Check out our affordable pricing and flexible programs!

Hear Your Child Speak Spanish! Your Free Trial Class Is 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

Want to learn more Spanish grammar? Check out these posts!

• 25 Essential Spanish Phrases for Everyday Conversations
• Avoiding Embarrassing Mistakes: Common False Friends in Spanish
• Llegar vs Llevar in Spanish: What’s the Difference?
• 10 Essential Ways to Use “Que” in Spanish
• Spanish Preterite vs Imperfect: 25 Online Exercises to Practice Your Skills
• How Spanish Can Boost Your College Applications + 4 Programs that Love Bilingual Students
• How to Finally Roll Your R’s – And Why It’s Not a Big Deal If You Can’t
• 50 Useful Spanish Transition Words for Everyday Speech and Writing

The post Llegar vs Llevar in Spanish: What’s the Difference? appeared first on Homeschool Spanish Academy.

Yes! 

It can take you some time to find trustworthy free homeschool lesson plans, but it’s true, you can homeschool your kid without having to break the bank. You can find complete packages for specific grades, PDF printables for specific subjects, free homeschool lesson plans, all types of worksheets, and even materials and kits that you can get by mail.

Here are my favorite options for a free homeschool curriculum with daily lesson plans.

Hear Your Child Speak Spanish! Your Free Trial Class Is Waiting

There are free categories here of the free printable homeschool curriculums with lesson plans. 

The first one is for parents of the youngest homeschoolers—preschool, kindergarten, and elementary. The second section includes complete K-12 curricula that you may use for free while homeschooling kids of any age. And last but not least, I threw in some subject or topic-specific curricula with daily lesson plans.

Best Kindergarten and Elementary Free Homeschool Curricula

Some parents like to be spontaneous while homeschooling the youngest kids but they’re also afraid that they might miss some important skills or that their kids will not reach the required standards in all areas. 

Here are some free homeschool curricula with daily lesson plans for parents of kindergarten and elementary students.

1. Under the Home 

Under the Home is a completely free curriculum for kindergarten through grade 6. The website is child-safe and ad-free, and you don’t have to purchase any additional textbooks. All you’ll need are typical school supplies.

The whole curriculum provides free access to digital copies of materials in the spirit of Charlotte Mason. It uses well-known methodologies such as Ray’s Arithmetic and McGuffey’s Readers.

Their mission is to make homeschooling easier for busy families. 

The lesson plans minimize the parents’ preparation. They’re almost ready-to-go materials. The website provides approximate grade levels and weekly schedules for a standard 36-week school schedule that adapts easily to 4 or 5-day homeschooling weeks. You can also download Home Instruction Plan if you need to present it to any authorities. No tests are included in the curriculum.

You can download the full Curriculum Guide to see if Under the Home is for you. 

2. Learn at Home Preschool Lesson Plans Collection

These preschool daily lesson plans cover the entire year of education, and new ones are added all the time. They have been divided into 46+ themes that you can download individually for free,e or you can pay 20$ to download the Preschool Lesson Plans Bundle.

All the activities are quick, easy, and require very little preparation.

They were designed in 2020 for parents who were suddenly left alone with their kids’ education. Each thematic plan comes with a sample schedule you may use with your preschooler and includes Literacy, Math & Science, Playful Learning, Social Emotional, Just Plain Fun, and Get Online sections. 

The creators believe in intentional teaching and creating purposeful learning opportunities for children

No tests are included, but there are questions provided for each topic to check your kids’ understanding.

3. Keeping My Kiddo Busy

Keeping My Kiddo Busy provides detailed free lesson plans for your homeschooler in kindergarten. It’s a consistent, standards-based resource that covers the entire school year.

The curriculum is designed by a former kindergarten teacher, Michala, who is currently homeschooling her own children. Download the curriculum map to see what you may expect in each month of the year. Then, click on the month and download the daily plan.

Every day of her free kindergarten curriculum lesson plans comes with:

• Morning Work
• Phonics
• Math
• Reading Enrichment
• Centers
• Writing

Every activity has a link that you may use to get free or paid additional materials. No tests are provided.

Free Complete Homeschool Curriculum with Daily Lesson Plans for K-12

If your kid is already older or you want a curriculum that will accompany your child for their whole education, here are some options for a free homeschool curriculum with daily lesson plans from kindergarten through high school.

4. Ambleside Online 

Ambleside Online provides a curriculum, daily schedule, and booklist for each year of your child’s education.

Amblesides gives you weekly schedules to provide flexibility for families with longer or shorter week schedules. The lessons follow as closely as possible Charlotte Mason’s methodology and require concentrated effort for short periods of time. 

The plans also suggest whether the activity should be done early in the morning or later during the day. The exams are included in the schedules.

All the books recommended by the program can be found online for free. The site also offers tips for beginners, so parents new to homeschooling will get help.

The website may give you an impression of being outdated and hard to navigate,e but so many parents swear by it that you should give it a try too.

5. Easy-Peasy All-in-One Homeschool

Easy-Peasy All-in-One Homeschool is probably one of the best-known options for an online, free homeschool curriculum with daily lesson plans. And it’s worth giving it a try. Their mission is to make homeschooling available for families that may lack finances, time, or know-how. 

It offers a Christian, free homeschool curriculum for Pre-K through 8th grade, but there is a sister website that covers the high school period.  

All you have to do is choose a year, and your kid will be able to access assignments, and the site will track their lessons. No job for you apart from printing some materials for younger students.

There’s also a store available where you could purchase offline courses for math, reading, and language arts.

The site also offers placement tests for newcomers and other assessments for high school students.

6. Old-Fashioned Education

Old-fashioned education provides a Fundamental Christian curriculum with copyright-free resources linked by subject. Each grade offers plans for 40 weeks that cover Bible Study, Arithmetic, Science, Language Arts, Literature, Biography, Historical Novels, History, and Social Studies.

The website offers education from a Christian WorldView and may be hard to follow for families with other values. It also has a strict routine and schedule.

The motto by which the website swears comes from Proverbs 20:11—”Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.”

No tests are provided.

If you don’t think this curriculum is for you, have a look at their free online books section. It can always be useful!

Subject-Specific Free Homeschool Curriculum With Daily Lesson Plans

Are you looking for a free homeschool curriculum with daily lesson plans just for specific subjects? Here are some options.

7. Mrs. Karle’s Sight and Sound Reading Lessons 

Teaching reading? This site is a real gem.

For free, you can download an app with 120  days of reading lessons/videos that explicitly teach reading, starting with sight words and later adding phonics. You can also sign up and get detailed daily instructions by mail if you don’t want to use the app. 

You can also download a beautiful and colorful workbook with daily practice reading as well as a free starter kit to teach beginner or struggling readers.

8. Homeschool Math

This site may not look attractive at first glance, but it’s a wonderful resource for a free Math curriculum with weekly and daily plans.

It comes with observation profiles, assessment resources, week-by-week activities for every day, and teaching strategies for K-2 students.

The content was originally published by the North Carolina State Board of Education. On the site, you can also download free lessons and free worksheets for students up to 7th grade, as well as games and activities. 

9. Daily Grammar

Need help with a free grammar curriculum?

Daily grammar tells you what to study in this area during 440 lessons. With this site, you can simply add a lesson a day and have enough material for several years.

The first 90 lessons cover the eight parts of speech, lessons 91-300 teach parts of the sentence, and the last set focuses on the mechanics of grammar.

Every 5th lesson, there is a quiz to assess your child’s understanding.

If you feel like you still need more free homeschool curriculum options and other free resources, have a look at the following websites.

• 8 Free Language Arts Curriculum Options for Elementary Homeschool
• Top 11 Websites for Free Homeschooling Materials
• 11 Best Websites for Free Homeschooling Worksheets

Any Questions About Free Homeschool Curriculum With Daily Lesson Plans?

I’m sure that by now, you’ve already chosen your favorites among all the options for a free homeschool curriculum with daily lesson plans. However, if you still have a question, comment below.

You can also leave a review if you have already used any of the above curricula and want to share your experience with other homeschooling families.

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 hand-picked homeschool resources? Check these out!

• Why 2-on-1 Spanish Classes Work Better for Beginners (Especially Middle Schoolers)
• How to Know If Your Child’s Spanish Program Is Working: 3 Signs of Real Progress
• Your Teen’s First 6 Months of Spanish: What to Expect and How to Support Them
• Equipping Your Child for Fluency: 8 Tips for Teaching Spanish
• Ways to Promote Internet Safety for Kids While Learning Online
• 7 Spanish Reading Games for Kids: Boosting Literacy Skills
• Spanish Curriculum Must-Haves: What Makes a Program Preschool-Friendly
• K-8 Spanish Success: The Natural Path to Bilingual Proficiency

The post 9 Free Homeschool Curriculum Options with Daily Lesson Plans appeared first on Homeschool Spanish Academy.

First, I’ll remind you what an adverb and clause is, and will explain what adverbial clauses are. Second, you’ll learn different types of adverbial clauses in Spanish. Last, but definitely not least, you’ll learn when to use the indicative or the subjunctive mood in the adverbial clauses.

¡Empecemos!

Join more than 559 million people on the planet who speak Spanish!
Sign up for your free trial Spanish class today.

What Are Adverbs, Clauses, and Adverbial Clauses?

Before getting into detail about adverbial clauses in Spanish, let’s have a quick refresher about adverbs. What are they?

You might remember that an adverb is one of the eight parts of speech, and it modifies verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. Adverbs help us determine where, when, how, how long, and how often things happen. If you want to learn more, you can have a look at 50 common Spanish adverbs to use them in your daily conversations. 

Next, what is a clause? 

A clause is a group of words that include at least a subject and a verb, and it depends on or is included in a bigger sentence. 

And now, our main question. 

What is an adverbial clause? 

As you can see, it’s a clause, so it’s always a group of two or more words that functions as an adverb. This group of words works as a single unit and indicates when, why, or in what way an action happens.

For example:

Voy a visitar a mi amiga cuando ya viva aquí.
I’m going to visit my friend once she lives here.

Cuando ya viva aquí is an adverbial clause that modifies the verb visitar and tells us when I’m going to visit my friend. 

Easy, isn’t it? Let’s have a look at the most frequent types of adverbial clauses.

Adverbial Clauses of Time

These clauses tell us when the action happened or will happen. The most used ones are introduced by the following words. 

cuando – when

antes de (que) – before

después de (que) – after

hasta que – until

en cuanto – as soon as

mientras – while

siempre que – whenever, every time that

For example:

Te llamaré cuando termine.
I will call you when I finish.

Como dulces siempre que puedo.
I eat sweets whenever I can.

Have you noticed that there is the subjunctive mood used in the first sentence but not in the other one. I’ll explain to you later why it’s so.

Adverbial Clauses of Manner

These clauses express how the action of the main sentence is done. If you can substitute the clause with an expression así (like this) or de esta manera (in this way), then you’re dealing with an adverbial clause of manner.

For example: 

Yo manejo como me enseñó mi papá. – Yo manejo de esta manera.
I drive the way my dad taught me. – I drive this way.

The connectors that introduce the adverbial clauses of manner in Spanish are:

como – how

tal y como – just like

así como – as well as

de acuerdo con lo que – according to what

del mismo modo que – in the same way that

tal cual – just as it is

según – according to

Adverbial Clauses of Condition

These clauses indicate that something will happen depending on some condition and they are introduced by the following words:

a condición de que – on condition that

a menos que / a no ser que – unless

con tal de que – provided that

The greatest part is that all of them require the subjunctive, so you don’t need to wonder what to add afterward.

No lo podrás comprar a menos que tengas mucho dinero.
You won’t be able to buy it unless you have a lot of money.

You can substitute a menos que with any of the expressions we mentioned earlier.

Adverbial Clauses of Concession

They show a contrast with the other part of the sentence. It means that something happened or will happen in spite of something else.

The conjunction that will introduce this type of adverbial clauses in Spanish are:

aunque – although, even if

a pesar de que – in spite of, despite

pese a que – in spite of, despite

Nunca lo lograrás aunque te esfuerces mucho.
You will never achieve it even if you try a lot.

Lo hizo, aunque no le dejaban.
He did it, although they didn’t let him.

The same as with the adverbial clauses of time, the concessive adverbial clauses can use either indicative or subjunctive. Keep reading to know when to use one or the other.

Adverbial Clauses of Purpose

These clauses indicate for what objective an action happened or will happen and they are introduced by the following words:

para – for

para que – so that

de manera que – so, so that

Para will be followed by an infinitive and the other two will always use the subjunctive.

Trabajo para comprarme un coche.
I work to buy a car.

Lo dibujé para que sonrieras.
I drew it to make you smile.

Indicative or Subjunctive? How to use the adverbial clauses in Spanish.

As we mentioned earlier, the adverbial clauses can be followed by the indicative or subjunctive mood depending on various factors. Let’s divide them into three groups to simplify things:

1. Adverbial clauses that require the subjunctive mood.
2. Adverbial clauses that require the indicative mood.
3. Adverbial clauses that can use either the subjunctive or the indicative mood.

1. Adverbial Clauses in Spanish Using Always the Subjunctive 

The following conjunctions will always introduce an adverbial clause in the subjunctive mood:

en caso de que – in order that, so that

sin que – without

con tal de que – as long as

a menos que – unless

para que – so that

antes de que – before

mientras – as long as

a fin de que – in order that, so that

siempre y cuando – as long as, provided that

For example:

En caso de que tengas dudas, llámame.
In case you have questions, call me.

Hazlo antes de que salgas.
Do it before you go out.

Lo puedes comprar, siempre y cuando lo compartas con tu hermana.
You can buy it, as long as you share it with your sister.

2. Adverbial Clauses in Spanish Using Always the Indicative

There are some adverbial conjunctions that always use the indicative because they talk about something that is seen as habitual, completed, or sure.

The adverbial clauses with the indicative mood no matter what will be introduced by:

porque – because

ya que – considering that, since

puesto que – since

For example:

Voy a estudiar las cláusulas adverbiales ya que no las entiendo.
I’m going to study adverbial clauses since I don’t understand them.

Mi mejor amiga va a vivir en México puesto que tiene un novio de ahí.
My best friend is going to live in Mexico since she has a boyfriend from there.

Los estudiantes trabajan mucho porque quieren saber más.
Students work hard because they want to know more.

3. Adverbial Clauses in Spanish Using Subjunctive or Indicative

This is probably the most difficult part for Spanish students and it takes some time to learn the difference. There are some adverbial clauses that can be followed either by indicative or subjunctive, depending on what you want to express. The general rule is that the subjunctive mood is used when there is no certainty or the action has not happened yet.

For example:

Te veo cuando puedo. 
I see you every time I can.

Te veré cuando pueda. 
I will see you when I can.

In the second case, the action has not happened yet and there is no absolute certainty it will, that’s why you have to use the subjunctive. 

Adverbial conjunctions that will result in adverbial clauses either in indicative or subjunctive mood are:

como – as, how, however

(a) donde  – where, wherever

tan pronto como – as soon as

hasta que – until

en cuanto – as soon as

aunque – although, even though

después de que – after

cuando – when

You see, it wasn’t that difficult! You are now an expert on adverbial clauses in Spanish. You just need to remember to use the indicative when an action is complete, habitual, or factual and the subjunctive mood when it’s hypothetical or has not yet occurred.

Practice Time!

Now, that you know all the rules and different types of adverbial clauses, the best way to learn them is to practice. Are you ready to talk to a native Spanish speaker and show off your skills? I invite you to sign up for a free class and perfect the adverbial clauses in Spanish with one of our friendly native, certified Spanish teachers from Guatemala.

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

Ready to learn more Spanish grammar and vocabulary? Check these out!

• Can Middle Schoolers Really Learn Spanish Without Flashcards?
• Your Child Knows Spanish Words, Now What? How to Turn Vocabulary into Real Conversations
• From Snacks to Dinners: Spanish Vocabulary for Food That Teens Actually Talk About
• Why 2-on-1 Spanish Classes Work Better for Beginners (Especially Middle Schoolers)
• 25 Essential Spanish Phrases for Everyday Conversations
• Avoiding Embarrassing Mistakes: Common False Friends in Spanish
• How to Build a Spanish Practice Routine That Sticks (And Doesn’t Spark Eye Rolls)
• Why Learning Spanish Feels Harder as an Adult, And What You Can Do About It

The post All About Adverbial Clauses in Spanish appeared first on Homeschool Spanish Academy.

Many students of Spanish struggle with the distinction, and even native Spanish speakers make mistakes with the use of these conjunctions. 

However, it’s easy to learn when you should use pero in Spanish and when to use sino in Spanish.

Don’t believe me? Keep reading, and I promise that at the end, you’ll be able to take a multiple choice quiz on the difference between pero and sino and get all the answers right.

Join more than 559 million people on the planet who speak Spanish!
Sign up for your free trial Spanish class today.

Sentence Conjunctions and Connection Words

Before we go into the details of pero and sino, let’s review some grammar rules to make sure we’re on the same page.

Like in English, Spanish uses linking or connective words. There are two types of them:

1. Conjunctions – connect ideas within clauses and sentences

2. Transition words – connect sentences and paragraphs

Pero and sino are both conjunctions, meaning you should use them to link ideas within the same sentence. To be more precise, they belong to a specific group of coordinating conjunctions that you use to express contrast.

To learn more about other conjunctions and transition words, check out The Essential Guide to Spanish Linking Words. 

Differences Between ‘Pero’ and ‘Sino’

Before we focus on the difference between pero and sino, let’s take a look at their similarities. (These are the reason for all the confusion!)

First, they both translate to “but” in English. Then, you use both of them as a coordinating conjunction to express contrasting ideas. 

However, they’re not synonyms.  

You’ll use pero in Spanish to add information to the statement before it. Possible translations: but, however, and nevertheless.

Sino in Spanish contradicts or corrects the statement before it. It translates into: but, but rather, and but instead. 

Let’s see each one of them with example sentences and detailed instructions on how to use them.

How To Use ‘Pero’ in Spanish

As I mentioned, pero adds information that contrasts with the idea in the first sentence. Let’s take a look at some example sentences with pero in Spanish.

Me gustan las manzanas pero también me gustan las peras.
I like apples, but I also like pears. 

Me gustan las bananas, pero no las piñas. 
I like bananas, but I don’t like pineapples.

No me gustan las fresas pero sí me gustan los arándanos. 
I don’t like strawberries, but I do like blueberries.

No me regalaste nada para mi cumpleaños pero me llamaste. 
You didn’t give me anything for my birthday, but you called me. 

In the above sentences you could substitute “but” with “however” or “nevertheless.” 

The formula for using pero in Spanish is simple: statement 1 + pero + statement 2.

The statements can be positive or negative. The second statement introduces a contrasting idea that adds information to the information in statement 1. And of course, you can use this conjunction in any tense or mood combination.

No quiero ir al cine pero quiero ir al concierto.
I don’t want to go to the movies, but I want to go to the concert.

Quiero comer rico pero no quiero comer aquí.
I want to eat well, but I don’t want to eat here.

No quise salir pero tampoco quise quedarme en casa.
I didn’t want to go out, but I didn’t want to stay home either.

Quiero leer un libro pero que sea bueno. 
I want to read a book, but I want it to be a good one.

How To Use ‘Sino’ in Spanish

Like pero, sino introduces a contrasting idea. In this case, however, the second information negates or contradicts the idea in statement 1. Sino only appears after a negative statement. 

Be careful. Sino is a single word. “Si no” exists in Spanish but means “if not.”

No voy a salir si no vamos en coche.
I’m not going out if we’re not going by car. 

The formula for sino in Spanish is slightly different from the formula for pero. There are even three possible formulas: Negative statement + sino + noun.

You’ll use this formula if the verb in the first statement also applies to the second sentence.

Let’s see sino in Spanish in sentences: 

No me gustan las manzanas sino las bananas. 
I don’t like apples, but I like bananas.

Do you remember a similar sentence from above?

No me gustan las fresas pero sí me gustan los arándanos. 
I don’t like strawberries but I do like blueberries.

In the sentence with pero, you’re adding an idea that contrasts with the first negative statement.

In the sentence with sino, you give a substitute for the first negative idea instead of adding new information. 

In the sentence “No me gustan las manzanas sino (me gustan) las bananas,” we don’t need to repeat the verb, as it is the same as in the first sentence. 

What happens if we want to use a different verb in the second statement? The formula changes to: negative statement 1 + sino que + statement 2.

No hice mi tarea sino que pasé la tarde leyendo un libro nuevo.
I didn’t do my homework, but rather spent the afternoon reading a new book.

No sólo… sino (que) también

Sino is also often used with an expression no sólo that appears in the first statement. In this case you need to use sino también or sino que también in the second statement. Sino que también appears when the verb in the second sentence is different from the verb in the fist statement.

In this case sino (que) también adds information and does not negate the idea from the first statement. The use of pero in such a construction is incorrect, although you will hear even  native Spanish speakers use it.

Mi madre no sólo sabe cocinar sino también sabe hacer pasteles. 
My mother not only knows how to cook, but also how to bake.

Andrés no sólo no es amable sino que también pelea con todos.
Andres is not only unkind, but also fights with everyone.

‘Pero’ and ‘Sino’ in Spanish – Multiple-Choice Quiz

Now that you know the difference between pero and sino, let’s see how well you do on this quiz. Remember, there’s only one possible correct answer .

Practice Spanish in Conversation

It’s easy to see the difference between pero and sino in Spanish if you spend some time understanding how they function in a sentence.

Now that you know all the theories, it’s time to focus on production. Remember, you want to use Spanish in conversation, understand and talk to other people. (Did you know that there are 41 million native Spanish speakers in the U.S. alone?)

Sign up for a free trial class at Homeschool Spanish Academy and start using pero and sino in Spanish in real conversations! Practice Spanish in a 1-to-1 class with one of our friendly and professional teachers from Guatemala. Check out our affordable pricing and flexible programs!

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

Ready to learn more Spanish grammar and vocabulary? Check these out!

• 25 Essential Spanish Phrases for Everyday Conversations
• Avoiding Embarrassing Mistakes: Common False Friends in Spanish
• Llegar vs Llevar in Spanish: What’s the Difference?
• 10 Essential Ways to Use “Que” in Spanish
• Spanish Preterite vs Imperfect: 25 Online Exercises to Practice Your Skills
• 50 Useful Spanish Transition Words for Everyday Speech and Writing
• Master the 18 Spanish Tenses (and Take Our Cheat Sheet With You)
• All About Adverbial Clauses in Spanish

The post The Ultimate Guide to the Differences Between ‘Pero’ and ‘Sino’ in Spanish appeared first on Homeschool Spanish Academy.

After reading this blog post, you’ll be able to form irregular informal commands in Spanish. I’ll guide you through the process, refreshing your knowledge about the imperative mood, explaining types of irregular tú commands, and showing you how to use them. 

Finally, you’ll be able to practice what you’ve learned by taking a multiple-choice quiz. Ready? Let’s get started!

Join more than 559 million people on the planet who speak Spanish!
Sign up for your free trial Spanish class today.

How To Use the Imperative Mood in Spanish

Before you learn all about irregular informal commands in Spanish, let’s briefly review the key facts about the imperative mood in Spanish.

1. You use the imperative mood to give commands. To put it simply, if you want others to do something,that’s when you need it. 

2. Since we do not give commands to ourselves, the imperative mood has just four grammatical subjects: 

• tú – you
• él/ella/Usted – he/she/formal singular you
• nosotros/-as – we
• ellos/-as/Ustedes – they, formal plural you  

3. Apart from the informal tú command, all other grammatical persons are the same as the present subjunctive forms. In the negative commands, all the endings are the same as the present subjunctive endings. 

Imperative Conjugations

Here are the charts for the imperative mood for all three conjugations.

The imperative mood chart for regular -ar verbs – hablar (to speak)

Example Sentences in Spanish

¡Habla con ella!
Talk to her!

Hablemos, por favor.
Let’s talk, please.

¡No hables tan fuerte!
Don’t speak so loud!

¡No hablen aquí!
Don’t talk here!

The imperative mood chart for regular -er verbs – comer (to eat)

Example Sentences in Spanish

¡Come más fruta!
Eat more fruit!

Comamos, por favor.
Let’s eat, please.

¡No comas esto!
Don’t eat that!

¡No coman aquí!
Don’t eat here!

The imperative mood chart for regular -ir verbs – vivir (to live)

Example Sentences in Spanish

¡Vive con alegria!
Live with joy!

Vivamos el momento.
Let’s live in the moment!.

¡No vivas en este lugar!
Don’t live in this place!

¡No vivan así!
Don’t live like this!

Irregular Informal Commands in Spanish

Quite often you’ll encounter irregular informal commands in Spanish that are not completely irregular. You still need to make some more changes than simply adding the imperative mood ending, but there’s a trick to this. 

Some verbs will present the irregular forms of the imperative mood that are the same as the irregularities they have in the present tense. The only form that will always be regular is the first person plural, the command we give to “us.”

Let’s look at the verb pensar (to think). The e-ie stem change that you already know from the present tense conjugation (pienso, piensas, piensa, pensamos, piensan) also appears in the imperative mood: 

• piensa
• piense
• pensemos 
• piensen

Here are some other verbs that have “regular” irregularities in the imperative mood:

• cerrar (to close) – cierra, cierre, cerremos, cierren
• volar (to fly) – vuela, vuele, volemos, vuelen
• jugar (to play) – juega, juegues, juguemos, jueguen

However, there are 8 verbs with totally irregular informal commands in Spanish:

Let’s see each one of them with full conjugation for the imperative mood and examples for the informal commands. Let’s have a look also at the forms of the irregular negative tú commands in Spanish.

Ser – To Be

Example Sentences in Spanish

¡Sé tú mismo!
Be yourself!

¡No seas tonto!
Don’t be silly!

Sean prudentes.
Be careful.

¡No sean así!
Don’t be like that!

Decir – To Say

Example Sentences in Spanish

¡Di la verdad!
Tell the truth

¡No digas tonterías!
Don’t talk nonsense!

Digan lo que quieran.
Say what you want.

¡No digan mentiras!
Don’t tell lies!

Hacer – To Do

Example Sentences in Spanish

¡Hazlo!
Do it

¡No lo hagas!
Don’t do it!

Háganlo a mi manera.
Do it my way.

¡No hagan así las cosas!
Don’t do things like that!

Ir – To Go

Example Sentences in Spanish

¡Ve y hazlo!
Go and do it!

¡No vayas ahí!
Don’t go there!

Vayan de aquí ahora mismo.
Get out of here right now.

¡No se vayan todavía!
Don’t go yet!

Poner – To Put

Example Sentences in Spanish

¡Pon el seguro!
Put the safety catch on!

¡No pongas esa cara!
Don’t make that face!

Pónganse en contacto con la inmobiliaria.
Please, contact the real estate agency.

¡No se pongan celosos!
Don’t go jealous!

Salir – To Leave

Example Sentences in Spanish

¡Sal de ahí!
Get out of there!

¡No salgas con este peinado!
Don’t go out with that hairdo!

Salgan a las 10 y veámonos en la esquina.
Leave at 10 o’clock and meet us at the corner.

¡No salgan sin el paraguas!
Don’t go out without an umbrella!

Venir – To Come

Example Sentences in Spanish

¡Ven conmigo!
Come with me!

¡No vengas ahora!
Don’t come now!

Vengan a las 8 por favor.
Come at 8 o’clock, please.

¡No vengan sin las compras!
Don’t come without shopping!

Tener – To Have

Example Sentences in Spanish

¡Ten el cambio!
Keep the change!

¡No tengas miedo!
Don’t be afraid!

Tengan paciencia por favor.
Be patient, please.

¡No tengan morro!
Don’t be cheeky!

Irregular Informal Commands in Spanish – Quiz

Now that you know irregular affirmative tú commands and irregular

Start Giving Irregular Informal Commands in Spanish

You’ve mastered another topic of Spanish grammar! Irregular informal commands in Spanish are no longer a mystery to you! Of course, if you’re serious about becoming bilingual, you have to practice. 

While practicing might seem boring, there are no shortcuts to becoming fluent in Spanish. If you need extra motivation, just think about the pay raise you may ask for just because you know another language or the new job opportunities that await you! Yes, being bilingual translates into higher salaries and it’s one of the hottest skills for job seekers! 

Let Homeschool Spanish Academy help you reach your language goals. Sign up for a free trial class and make your first steps in the chosen dialect! Check out our affordable pricing and flexible programs!

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

Ready to learn more Spanish grammar? Check these out!

• 25 Essential Spanish Phrases for Everyday Conversations
• Avoiding Embarrassing Mistakes: Common False Friends in Spanish
• Llegar vs Llevar in Spanish: What’s the Difference?
• 10 Essential Ways to Use “Que” in Spanish
• Spanish Preterite vs Imperfect: 25 Online Exercises to Practice Your Skills
• 50 Useful Spanish Transition Words for Everyday Speech and Writing
• Master the 18 Spanish Tenses (and Take Our Cheat Sheet With You)
• All About Adverbial Clauses in Spanish

The post Common Irregular Informal Commands in Spanish appeared first on Homeschool Spanish Academy.

If you’ve found yourself confused, don’t worry. Borders between dialect vs language or dialect vs accent terms can be blurry. I remember my own confusion while studying Spanish philology. 

For example, Portuguese and Spanish are classified as separate languages, even though they’re mutually intelligible (especially in the written form). Meanwhile, Mandarin and Cantonese are considered two dialects of the Chinese language although Mandarin speakers aren’t able to understand Cantonese speakers. 

Why is this? 

The answer is history and politics. 

In general terms, separate countries classify their official language as a distinct language, while the varieties within the country are viewed as dialects. This vague inconsistency is precisely why linguists avoid these labels, instead preferring the term “varieties.” 

Keep reading to understand the differences among languages, dialects, and accents once and for all!

What’s a Language?

Let’s start unwinding the dialect vs language dilemma by tackling the term “language.” 

Russian Jewish linguist, Max Weinreich, popularized the phrase “A language is a dialect with an army and navy.” This might sound funny but explains the arbitrariness of the difference between a language and a dialect. This phrase emphasizes the importance of political and social conditions that make people consider, for example, Spanish as a language and Taiwanese as a dialect of Chinese.

A language is a system of communication used within a country or a community—if this community has sufficient political and cultural power. Catalan is a language in the country of Spain, whereas many people still perceive the Hokkien dialect and Wu Chinese, for example, as dialects. Catalunya is a powerful state within Spain, and Chinese provinces are much more dependent on the central government of China. 

For the above reasons, you can start learning Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, or Chinese and later discover the dialects within them. 

So, are Mexican Spanish and European Spanish two separate languages? 

No, they’re not. 

They are dialects or varieties of the Spanish standard language that is the official language of Spain and Mexico. 

But do you know how many languages are spoken in Spain? Seven in total, and here they are, organized from the highest population to lowest: 

• Spanish (99%)
• Catalan (8%)
• Valencian (4%)
• Galician (3%)
• Basque (1%)
• Extremaduran (0.4%)
• Aranese (0.007%)

What are Dialects?

A dialect, also called a variety, signals where a person comes from. It differs from other dialects within the same language in grammar and vocabulary. Some linguists also add phonological features, such as the pronunciation of vowels and consonants, and the intonation, but these are usually considered aspects of an accent. 

So European Spanish and Mexican Spanish are examples of dialects, like British English and American English. They have differences in grammar and vocabulary but still, have a common core. If you learn standard English or standard Spanish, you’ll be able to communicate with speakers of both varieties. 

What’s not a dialect? Well, let’s say you travel to Mexico City—you’ll hear people speaking with different accents depending on their social class. The fact is, a different accent is not equal to a different dialect. 

What’s an Accent?

The accent refers to variations in pronunciation within the same language or even within the same dialect or variety. Accents differ from standard language.

It means that a speaker of the Rioplatense variety of Spanish in Argentina can speak the European variety of Spanish if needed, using its specific vocabulary and grammar, but still keep the regional accent of their homeland. 

An English speaker can choose to learn any variety or dialect of Spanish and still pronounce it with a foreign accent. 

The key thing to remember is that “accent” only refers to pronunciation, while dialect must include distinct grammar and vocabulary beyond regional pronunciations.

Exploring the Spanish Language: Dialects and Accents

Are you curious to know which Spanish dialect to learn? Let me tell you about dialects and accents within the Spanish language.

Spanish is one of the languages with the greatest number of speakers, so no wonder it has produced many varieties over the centuries. The main division between the varieties of Spanish is set between the Spanish peninsula and Latin America, but there are other places where people speak Spanish as their official language.

Some linguists talk about 8 types of Spanish dialects, but many more exist. These are the variety groups of Spanish:

1. Spanish on the Spanish Peninsula

• Northern Peninsular (Asturias, Castilla y León, Cantabria, Basque Country, Navarre, Aragón, Rioja, Provinces of Guadalajara and Cuenca)
• Central-Southern Peninsular (Madrid, Toledo, La Mancha)
• Southern Peninsular (Andalusia, Extremadura, and Murcia)
• Canarian (Canary Islands)

2. Spanish of the Americas

• New Mexican spoken in the USA
• Mexican
• Central American
• Caribbean (Cuba, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Panama, Caribbean Colombia, and Caribbean Mexico and Gulf Coast Mexico)
• Andean-Pacific (Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, West Bolivian, and Andean Venezuela).
• Rioplatense (Argentina, Uruguay, East Bolivian, and Paraguay)
• Chilean (Chile, Cuyo)

3. Other Dialects of Spanish

• Equatorial Guinea Spanish and Western Sahara Spanish in Africa
• Philippine Spanish in Asia
• Llanito, Spanish mixed with English spoken in Gibraltar
• Judaeo Spanish started by Jews who migrated from Spain in the 15th century and now spoken in Israel and Turkey

To learn about specific differences in grammar vocabulary and pronunciation, check out: 

• 10 Differences Between Castilian Spanish and Latin American Spanish 
• Spanish vs Mexican Dialects

What About Accents? 

Each of the above varieties has regional accents. 

My Mexican husband speaks with an accent from Mexico City, but not a strong one as he lived in different places throughout his life. My older daughter speaks with an accent from the Yucatan península, where she picked up her kindergarten teacher’s pronunciation and it’s stuck ever since. I speak the Mexican dialect but with a foreign accent as it’s not my native language. 

We all speak the same dialect but you can hear the differences in intonation and pronunciation. Interestingly, I used to speak European Spanish before I met my husband, and my university teachers had different accents within this dialect: Andalusian, Canarian, and the one from Madrid. 

Do You Want to Learn Spanish?

Learning Spanish gives you countless benefits and opens many doors!

Reasons to Learn Spanish

If you know Spanish, you can travel easily to 20 countries where Spanish is an official language. If you know Spanish you can watch Casa de Papel (Money Heist) in the original version and read books by incredible Latin American Authors.  

And did you know that in 2060 the US will be the 2nd largest Spanish-speaking country in the world, according to a study by Instituto Cervantes? Already, the U.S. is home to 41 million native Spanish speakers. Judging just by these numbers, knowing Spanish will get you more friends and better job opportunities.

Easiest Dialects to Start With

What’s the easiest dialect to start with? If you live in the U.S., I suggest opting for one of the Latin American dialects. Out of these, Mexico, Perú, Colombia, and Guatemala have the clearest pronunciation. 

How to Start Learning Spanish 

First, find your motivation and make a commitment. Then, sit down and think about how to fit Spanish into your busy schedule. Choose your resources and get started. Signing up for a free trial lesson is also an ideal way to set off in the right direction. 

See also: Your Ultimate Guide to Basic Spanish for Beginners

Start Learning Spanish Now

Now you know the difference between dialect vs language, and how they’re both different from an accent. You’ve discovered which Spanish dialects you’ll encounter on your travels—and which are the easiest to learn. 

Plus, by learning Spanish, or any other language, you’re improving your cognition and decision-making abilities! As you can see, it’s a brilliant idea to start learning Spanish right now!

Let Homeschool Spanish Academy help you reach your language goals. Sign up for a free trial class and make your first steps in the chosen dialect! Check out our affordable pricing and flexible programs!

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

Ready to learn more Spanish grammar? Check these out!

• 25 Essential Spanish Phrases for Everyday Conversations
• Avoiding Embarrassing Mistakes: Common False Friends in Spanish
• Llegar vs Llevar in Spanish: What’s the Difference?
• 10 Essential Ways to Use “Que” in Spanish
• Spanish Preterite vs Imperfect: 25 Online Exercises to Practice Your Skills
• 50 Useful Spanish Transition Words for Everyday Speech and Writing
• Master the 18 Spanish Tenses (and Take Our Cheat Sheet With You)
• All About Adverbial Clauses in Spanish

The post Dialect vs Accent: Is It a Language, Dialect, or Accent? appeared first on Homeschool Spanish Academy.

Simply by grasping a few elementary grammar concepts and remembering basic situations when you use one or the other, using bien vs bueno will be a piece of cake.

Today, we’ll show you when to use bien and when to use bueno. Let’s explore guidelines and examples to help you fully comprehend the infamous opposition between bien vs bueno.

Ready to go?

Join more than 559 million people on the planet who speak Spanish!
Sign up for your free trial Spanish class today.

Grammatical Differences Between Bien, Buen, and Bueno

Learners tend to confuse these words because they look and sound similar and have pretty similar meanings. However, bien vs bueno is easy to comprehend if we descend to the grammatical level. 

English speakers have issues with the distinction between these words because since the 19th century, English grammar experts have been arguing on when you should use “good” and when “well” (Do you feel good or do you feel well?). 

Just as English learners struggle with “good vs well,” Spanish learners struggle with bien vs bueno. That’s why we should forget about translating bien, buen, and bueno, and try to understand the grammatical differences. 

First of all, buen and bueno are two forms of the same word. Buen is the apocopic (missing the final syllable) form of bueno, and means “good” or “fine.” 

Bien is an adverb. Buen/bueno is an adjective. If you remember this simple rule, bien vs bueno will become much easier to understand. Have a look at the article about all the 8 Parts of Speech if you need to refresh your memory. 

Bien is an Adverb

For the purpose of this post, it’s enough to remember that adverbs answer the questions “How?” and “To what extent?”. They can describe:

1. A verb
2. An adverb
3. An adjective

1. Bien Describing a Verb

Canto bien en español.

I sing well in Spanish.

Here, bien describes the verb canto. I sing how? Well.

2. Bien Describing an Adjective

Tu canción es bien pegajosa.

Your song is very catchy.

Bien is an adverb telling us more about the adjective pegajosa. Catchy to what extent? Very catchy.

3. Bien Describing Another Adverb

Hablas bien rápido.
You speak very fast.

In this example, bien is an adverb describing another adverb rápido. Fast to what extent? Very fast.

Bueno is an Adjective

Adjectives answer the question “What kind?” and describe nouns, including people, animals, ideas, and objects.

El albúm es muy bueno.
The album is very good.

In this sentence, we are describing an object, the album. What is good? The album. 

Remember that Spanish adjectives need to agree in gender and number with the noun they are describing: bueno, buena, buenos, buenas. You need to take into consideration whether the noun is feminine or masculine and singular or plural.

Tu español es bueno.
Your Spanish is good. (masculine, singular)

Tu pronunciación es buena.
Your pronunciation is good. (feminine, singular)

Los chicos son buenos.
The boys are good. (masculine, plural)

Las chicas son muy buenas.
The girls are very good. (feminine, plural)

Do you understand now why translating in your mind from English to Spanish won’t work? All the above forms of bueno can translate to “good”.

As we mentioned before, buen and bueno are actually the same word, and they are both used to describe singular masculine nouns. The difference is where you’ll put them in the sentence. Bueno goes after the noun and buen before. Pretty straightforward, isn’t it?

Es un chico bueno.

Es un buen chico.

Both of which translate to “He is a good/nice boy.”

You might still not be a big fan of grammar terms, and thinking about parts of speech every time you speak can be a bit tiresome, so we’ve made the dilemma bien vs bueno even simpler for you.

Uses of bien

In what situations can you use bien? Check out these 6 common ways to use the word bien.

1. To Say How You Feel

When you hear the common question, ¿cómo estás?, you will answer bien. Bien is a perfect response to express how you are doing and how you feel. It can describe your health or simply how you are in a particular situation.

-¡Hola! ¿cómo te va? 
-Muy bien, gracias.

-Hi! How are you doing?
-Very well, thank you.

No me siento muy bien, creo que comí algo malo.
I don’t feel very well. I think I’ve eaten something bad.

2. Emphasize the Adjective in a Sentence

You can always add bien before an adjective and you’ll make it sound stronger. It translates to “very” or “pretty” in these cases. This use of bien is more common in South America, but you can use it in Spain, too. 

El libro es bien interesante.
The book is very interesting.

You can even use bien to emphasize bueno!

Este pastel es bien bueno.
The cake is very good.

3. Say That Something is Done Well

If you want to praise somebody because they are doing something well, you use bien and not bueno.

¡Qué bien hablas español!
How well you speak Spanish!

¡Lo has hecho muy bien!
You have done it very well!

4. Say that Something Works Properly

You can also use bien to talk about technological devices and other things working or not.

Mi tablet no funciona muy bien.
My tablet is not working properly.

Skype no está bien, no se oye nada.
Skype is not working well, you can’t hear anything.

5. Agree

In informal situations where you feel like answering “okay,” you can simply say está bien or bien.

-Vamos al cine, ¿va?
-Bien

-Let’s go to the movies, okay?
-Okay.

-Nos vemos en la entrada.
-Está bien.

-See you at the door.
-Okay.

6. Praise and Cheer

When your friend has done something really well and you just want to shout ¡Bravo!, you can shout ¡Bien! in Spanish.

¡Bien! ¡Felicidades!
Bravo! Congratulations!

¡Bien! ¡Ganamos!
Bravo! We won!

Uses of buen/bueno

You surely remember that buen/bueno is an adjective, but let’s give you some more specific hints on how to use it.

1. Say That a Person or an Animal Behaves Well

IN my family, we just got a puppy, and I can’t even count how many times a day we are saying ¡buen chico!. But you can obviously use it with humans, too. It’s just the opposite of naughty.

Mi hija es muy buena, siempre hace todas las tareas.
My daughter is very good, she always does all her homework.

Si no has sido bueno este año, el Santa no te traerá nada.
If you haven’t been good this year, Santa Claus will not bring you anything.

2. Say That a Person is Good at What They Do

When a person is very good at their role you’ll also use buen/bueno.

Juan es un buen profesor.
Juan is a good teacher.

Elena es una buena reina.
Elena is a good queen.

3. Say That Something is of Good Quality

If something is well-made you can use bueno in Spanish.

¡Qué buen coche tiene Pedro!
What a good car Pedro has!

4. Say That Something is Beneficial and Good for Your Health

Anything that does you good is bueno, anything that doesn’t is not bueno.

Correr es bueno.
Running is good.

Comer dulces todos los días no es bueno.
Eating sweets every day is not good.

5. Say That Something is Good and Practical

Things can also be good or bad depending on whether we consider them useful or not.

Es una buena bicicleta.
It’s a good bike.

6. Say that Something is Delicious

When you eat a delicious taco, the first words that come to your mind are ¡Qué bueno está esto!

Esta quesadilla está muy buena.
This quesadilla is very good.

7. Say that Someone is Attractive

Be careful with this expression, as it may sound too informal in most situations. It could be translated as “hot” rather than attractive.”

Este chico está muy bueno.
This guy is very attractive.

8. Say OK

Wait, wait. Haven’t I just told you that you use bien when you want to say “OK”? Well, this is the only situation when you can use one or the other and you will always be correct. If you are unsure whether to use bien vs bueno, either is fine.

-Vamos al cine, ¿va?
-Bueno

Let’s go to the movies, okay?
-Okay.

-Nos vemos en la entrada.
-Bueno. Ahí estaré.

-See you at the door.
-Okay. I’ll be there.

9. Answer a Phone Call

In some Latin American countries, you’ll hear people say bueno instead of dígame when answering a phone.

-Ring, ring
-¿Bueno?

-Ring, ring
-Speaking

Practice Time!

That was quite a lot to take in one sitting, but bien vs bueno is an extense topic. Now, you know the grammar rules and situations when you can use one word or the other. Bien vs bueno seems to have no more secrets but you’re surely eager to try them out for yourself. Sign up for a free class to have 1-on-1, real-time conversations in Spanish with our friendly native-speaking teachers. This way, you will know if you speak bien and how bueno is your Spanish.

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 Spanish vocabulary? Check out our latest posts!

• 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
• Your Child Knows Some Spanish Words, Now What? How to Turn Vocabulary Into Real Conversations
• 29 Cool and Catchy Spanish Phrases To Use With Friends [+Audio]
• Fun Ways to Practice Spanish with Family (Even If Everyone’s at Different Levels)
• 10 Simple Spanish Words Your Preschooler Can Learn This Week
• The 25 Most Useful Spanish Phrases You Need to Learn Today

The post Bien vs Bueno: How Good is Your Spanish? appeared first on Homeschool Spanish Academy.

One of the most popular AP courses is AP Spanish Language and Culture, equivalent to an intermediate-level college course in Spanish. 

In this comprehensive guide, we will explore what the AP Spanish Language and Culture course entails, its structure, advantages, prerequisites, and tips and resources for mastering it. 

If you’re a high school student considering taking AP Spanish Language and Culture, an educator looking to provide guidance, or a parent seeking to support your child’s educational journey, this article will be helpful!

Join more than 559 million people on the planet who speak Spanish!
Sign up for your free trial Spanish class today.

What is the AP Spanish Language and Culture Course?

The AP Spanish Language and Culture course is designed to develop students’ Spanish proficiency and understanding of Hispanic culture. 

It aims to help students communicate effectively in Spanish, both orally and in writing, while also deepening their cultural awareness and understanding. 

Sounds ambitious, doesn’t it?

One of the unique aspects of the AP Spanish Language and Culture course is its exploration of various topics related to the Spanish-speaking world. 

These topics encompass family dynamics, language and culture, beauty and art, science and technology, and societal challenges. 

This breadth of materials allows students to gain a holistic view of the diverse Hispanic cultures and varieties of accents.

The AP Spanish Language and Culture course prepares students for the AP Spanish Language and Culture exam. 

Successfully passing this exam earns students college credit, making it a valuable asset for their future academic pursuits. 

Additionally, it equips students with enhanced language skills, cultural competence, and a broader global awareness, all essential in our increasingly interconnected world. 

Structure and Content of the AP Spanish Language Course

If you’re still doubting if you should take this course, have a look at its structure. 

The whole course is divided into six units, which explore different facets of language and culture and cover a wide range of topics:

1. Families in Different Societies

2. The Influence of Language and Culture on Identity

3. Influences of Beauty and Arts

4. How Science and Technology Affect Our Lives

5. Factors That Impact the Quality of Life

6. Environmental, Political, and Societal Challenges

This division aims to give students a comprehensive understanding of the Spanish-speaking world and foster a deeper appreciation for its cultural richness. 

Throughout the course, students develop their proficiency in various language skills, such as listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

The AP Spanish Language and Culture exam will check students’ mastery of these skills and cultural knowledge. 

Advantages of Enrolling in AP Spanish

No need to say it, but enrolling in the AP Spanish Language and Culture course offers several significant advantages for high school students:

1. College Credit

As mentioned earlier, completing the course and passing the AP Spanish exam earns students college credit, allowing them to skip introductory language courses in college.

2. Language Proficiency

The course focuses on developing students’ proficiency in Spanish Language skills, making them more effective communicators, and opening up career opportunities that require bilingualism. 

3. Cultural Awareness

Students gain a deeper appreciation and understanding of cultural products, practices, and perspectives by exploring the culture in contemporary and historical contexts. 

This will foster global competence.

4. College Admissions

Enrolling in and succeeding in AP Spanish demonstrates students’ commitment to academic rigor, enhancing their college applications and making them more competitive in the admission process.

5. Personal Growth

Studying a foreign language like Spanish broadens horizons, expands worldviews, and fosters personal growth. 

It also offers opportunities for cultural exchange and connections with Spanish-speaking communities. 

Prerequisites and Eligibility Requirements for AP Spanish Language Course

While no specific prerequisites exist for students interested in taking the AP Spanish Language and Culture course, they should consider certain recommendations and requirements.

A strong foundation in Spanish is essential. It’s recommended that students have completed at least four years of high school Spanish or have equivalent proficiency in the language.

Before enrolling in the course, students should understand Spanish grammar, vocabulary, and basic communication skills.

Success in the course also requires dedication, active participation, regular practice, and independent study. Students must be ready to invest time and effort. 

The course also covers various topics and requires critical thinking, analysis, and effective communication in Spanish. Be prepared!

Format of the AP Spanish Language Exam

Understanding any exam format is crucial for success, and it’s no different for the AP Spanish exam. 

The exam consists of two main sections: multiple-choice questions and free-response questions. 

The exam lasts over 3 hours and includes 65 multiple-choice and 4 free-response questions. See below the details, weighting, and timing:

Both sections test various communication skills, including listening, speaking, writing, and reading, aligning with the themes from the six units.

If you need more information about each part, read the Exam Description document issued by the College Board. 

Tips and Strategies for Success in the AP Spanish Language Exam

What do you need to excel in the AP Spanish Language and Culture course and the exam? You might consider the following:

Strengthen Your Language Skills

Regularly practice reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills beyond the classroom. 

Engage with authentic Spanish-language materials like movies, songs, books, and news to immerse yourself in language and culture. 

Learn new words and phrases and listen to Spanish podcasts to improve your comprehension and adapt to different accents. 

You can do some Language AP practice at the Homeschool Spanish Academy site: AP Spanish Language and Culture Practice.

Interact with Native Speakers

Practice conversational skills with native Spanish speakers or language exchange partners. 

If you don’t have anybody to practice with, you might consider online classes with native speakers. Try a free trial class at Homeschool Spanish Academy to see how it works. 

Practice with Sample Questions

Review and analyze sample AP exam questions to become familiar with the format and types of tasks. Practice timed exercises for efficiency.

You can also purchase some textbooks that will help you get used to the exam format:

• Ap Spanish: Preparing for the Language Examination 2nd Edition Edición, by Jose M. Diaz, Margarita Leicher-Prieto, & Glenn J. Nadelbach
• AP Spanish Language and Culture Premium, 2024: 5 Practice Tests + Comprehensive Review + Online Practice (Barron’s AP) Twelfth Edición by Daniel Paolicchi M.A. 

Join the AP Spanish Language and Culture site for Students

Your AP teacher or AP coordinator will give you a code so you can join their class section online. There, you will find exam essentials, scoring guidelines, and more practice.

Seek Feedback

Request feedback from your teacher or language tutor to identify areas for improvement.

If you need more tips, don’t miss How To Crush the AP Spanish Language and Culture Exam [+ FREE Practice Guide].

Ready to Sign up for AP Spanish Language and Culture?

Mastering the AP Spanish Language and Culture Exam is an achievement that can open doors to college credit, language proficiency, and cultural awareness. 

If you think you meet all the prerequisites, don’t wait any longer and challenge yourself with the AP Spanish course.

If you’re still doubting or need more help outside classes, sign up for a free trial class at Homeschool Spanish Academy to achieve your learner-specific goals. 

We’ve been teaching Spanish for over 10 years and have experience with preparation for AP Spanish exams. 

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to master the Spanish language and culture through a first-rate program. 

Your journey to AP Spanish success begins here!

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 Spanish Learning Strategies? Check these out!

• Can Middle Schoolers Really Learn Spanish Without Flashcards?
• Your Child Knows Spanish Words, Now What? How to Turn Vocabulary into Real Conversations
• From Snacks to Dinners: Spanish Vocabulary for Food That Teens Actually Talk About
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