As a teen, I remember making flash cards to memorize Spanish vocabulary. That was a lot of work, but learning verb conjugations was even harder. I swore if I had children, I’d introduce them to the language and spare them some drudgery. I’m happy to say that I have. I began speaking Spanish to our child at birth and I have used Castellano with them part of the day every day since then. An important component of my program for them lies in the rich and beautiful musical traditions of Spain and the Americas. Whenever we drive together, I have the local Spanish radio station on or music in Spanish playing. With its huge variety; salsa, meringue, rumba, tango and flamenco to name a few, what’s not to love? I love that our child asks me to turn on the music if I forget.
Sing It!
Flamenco in the car
Spanish where’er we are
Castellano seeds I sow
Passing on what I know
Humming along to the tune
As the Roma singers croon
Song 10 is my child’s request
Four part harmony their behest
Vibrant music we both adore
Language practice not a bore
Play the CD Mamá por favor
Lesson hid in gitano lore
We practice again today
The Fake Flamenco Mamá way.
–Rebecca Cuningham 19 August, 2021
Do you speak a second language? How do you practice?
¡Olé! –Rebecca
Fake Flamenco 
I learned Spanish as a child and french as an adult. I remember more Spanish than French. I agree that language learning at a young age is much easier. Great share. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for your comments, Suzette! An early age is key. I am happy to see that more US schools are offering dual language immersion to start the kids learning a second language in elementary school. Do you use your Spanish more than your French?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I read the odd post in Spanish in my leisure time while on the WordPress Reader. That’s about the extent of my language forays these days😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, that keeps the language alive in your memory. Good work!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, you are right! Thank you Rebecca. 💖
LikeLike
Smart you for making it fun! Although she has my husbands Latin looks, our daughter did not want to be different from her friends by admitting she spoke another language. It wasn’t until we all moved to South Florida that she began taking her heritage seriously and now she’s engaged to an Ecuadorian American. Ole!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for your comments! Glad that your daughter rediscovered her roots. South Florida is a perfect place to practice Spanish. Her engagement may promise more Spanish in her future. Great! : )
LikeLiked by 1 person
I didn’t learn Spanish but I was taught French in school..
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for your comment. Has it come in handy traveling?
LikeLike
I think Spanish would be better..Lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have no bias 😉
LikeLike
🤣🤣
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the poem! Your offspring is very lucky to be learning a second language so early. Well done you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Kim! I like the word you chose – they are likely to go off springing, maybe even saltando… 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
🤣
LikeLiked by 1 person
Songs are awesome for learning a language.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for your comment! I agree. They give good examples of natural speech; whole phrases, verbs conjugated, new vocabulary.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Kudos to you, Rebecca, for raising your child with a second language.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Rosaliene! It has been my joy to do so.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s incredible that you made it your goal to raise your child bilingual since Day 1! Especially I presume Spanish isn’t your native language(?), it’s all the more spectacular!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks very much, Rebecca. It is not my language from birth. I started when I was 13. I really appreciate your support and recognition for this labor of love. Gracias!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Rebecca, I love that you’ve taught your child Spanish from birth! My mother had been a high school French and English teacher before she stopped teaching to be a full-time mother. Except for teaching me to sing “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” in French, she didn’t teach me any French. As an adult, I’ve wished many times that she’d taught me French when it would have been easier to learn.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for your personal story, Janet. For a long time educators in the US mistakenly thought that a bilingual child would get confused and not be able to separate the languages. So, they recommended that bilingual parents speak only English at home. For that reason, speaking two languages from birth is rare here. Studies have since proven that children can learn two or more languages fluently. There can be a slight lag in language development in the middle of elementary school, but after that it is an advantage and makes kids more flexible thinkers. Being bilingual can help combat Alzheimers, I’ve heard. Sorry your mom may have been misled by the thinking of the day. I appreciate your compliment!
LikeLike
I am learning spanish and indeed learning verbs and grammar is headache , but i love this language . I love the method you used for teaching your kids .
LikeLiked by 2 people
Welcome, Rawatshashi! Thank you for your comments. How great you’re learning Spanish. You’re even writing poetry en español, congratulations! Immersion is the method in which we learn our first language and it is excellent if we are able to implement it for our second as well. Buena suerte!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Muchas gracias . 👐
LikeLiked by 2 people