¡HOLA! Let’s Learn Spanish was written and illustrated by Judy Martialay to help children learn Spanish, even if their parents don’t know Spanish. It comes with something that I’ve been looking for….
Let’s go to Mexico on a plane! Who might we meet? You’ll be surprised to meet Panchito the Mexican Jumping Bean! He’ll take you on an adventure during which you will learn about the Mexican culture, including some Spanish.
This book is more than just a story book. The story is written mostly in English, with various words throughout written in Spanish, making for sentences that are a combination of both languages. You can download an MP3 file from the Polyglotkidz website so that your children can listen to the story as they follow along in the book. This is something that I wish more language books would include. As I could try to pronounce the Spanish words, certainly my accent would be totally off and leave the children confused if they did ever try to speak it using my ‘version.’
After the main story, there are several activities to do.
- Children will learn how to introduce themselves
- Learn additional vocabulary
- Go on a treasure hunt
- Act out a skit
- Learn where Spanish is spoken around the world
- What is a jumping bean? Find out!
- Learn a song
- Make a cultural craft
The concept of ¡HOLA! Let’s Learn Spanish (affiliate link) by learning a few words at a time while enjoying a story and activities is interesting. There is more emphasis on ‘fun’ than on ‘learning’ so it will appeal to kids. And with the recording, it will also appeal to adults. I’m sure there will be some parents walking about the house naming items as they go…which will only reinforce the vocabulary for both parents and children.
Judy is a retired French and Spanish teacher. She was Co-Chair of the Public Advocacy Committee of the New York State Association of Foreign Language Teachers for 10 years. If you’d like to know more or would like to follow Judy and Polyglot Kidz, you can connect with her through her website.
Judy has written a special guest post for us about Giving Your Child an Early Start in Learning A Language (even if you don’t speak it), please click over and you’ll see some interesting and helpful advise.
If you’d like to try out Judy’s system of learning Spanish, you can purchase her book through Amazon:
jr frugalmom says
I would go to Spain, because I have a friend who lives in Madrid.
Cassandra Holdeman says
I would go to Spain to see the castles!
Corinne says
My husband is in Spain this week on business. It would have been nice to go with him and be able to speak with the locals in their native tongue.
Crystal McClean says
Local residents always have more respect for people who at least try to speak with them, even if it isn’t perfect. How wonderful would it be for the whole family to go along and for the kids to make international friends?
Anne Campbell says
This looks like a fun way to learn Spanish. I’ve tried before with a different curriculum, but it was just too hard and boring, so we set it aside for awhile. I’m going to check out ¡HOLA! Let’s Learn Spanish–thanks for the thorough review!
Crystal McClean says
There are so many ways to learn a language, and coupled with different learning styles it’s important to find a good match.
karen byassee says
I’d go to Mexico City
Heather says
I would like to go to Spain. My high school Spanish teacher was from Spain and she created a love of Spain in me.
Connie Saunders says
I would go to Spain!
Kelly says
It would be fun to go to Spain to be immersed in their culture.