Think about how you acquired your first language did you learn it as an adult? No! You learned it as a child.

Did you learn it while sitting in a classroom, staring at a chalkboard and repeating whatever the teacher said? No, you learned it in your home, among those who love you and just taught you naturally, as you grew.

Just as children easily learn their first language, they can easily learn a second one. Do you want that language to be Spanish, a language that is very useful in our world today? Then you probably want to know the best way for your kid to learn conversational Spanish!

Home, Sweet Home

The best way for your kids to learn conversational Spanish is if either Mama or Papa speaks Spanish. They can easily use both languages in the home, and Jr. will absorb and be fluent in both. Sometimes the child acquires the languages more slowly than if they were only learning one language, but that s because they re learning two at once. There are a few suggested methods considered the best way for your kids to learn conversational Spanish from parents at home.

First, one parent only speaks one language to the child, the other parent only speaks the other language to the child. This can help the child keep straight which language is which.

Second, the child can learn one language fairly well to about age 3 and then the second language is introduced, while still using the primary language some of the time.

Other Helps

The are things available to assist in teaching your kids Spanish — the best way for them to learn conversational Spanish when neither parent speaks the language.

There are shows on PBS (Public Broadcasting Station on television) that are geared toward Spanish speakers, either children or adults. Cable or satellite television also has programs to supplement the best way to learn conversational Spanish

Look online there are also websites (mostly free) that are useful in teaching your children to speak conversational Spanish. The sites to teach children to learn Spanish usually have a lot of games to make the learning more fun.

You can also buy CDs or DVDs to sing along with in Spanish. Imagine playing a CD in Spanish while riding in your car with your child you ll be learning Spanish, too!

Of course, as soon as your child has the opportunity to enroll in a foreign language in school, they should do it. That will give them a strong foundation to build their foreign language knowledge.

Many high schools have added a foreign language to their graduation requirements. Undoubtedly it is imperative to have a solid grasp of the English language, but learning another language aids in achievement throughout life.

Many people find it difficult to learn another language. It doesn’t come overnight, but with perserverance, most students will achieve a minimum proficiency. Giving students a choice of languages is helpful. Students can learn French, Spanish or Latin in most schools, but some other choices can include German, Russian or Chinese.

So, why learn another language?

Improve Scholastic Achievement

You might expect that learning a second language can improve reading skills, and understanding of English structure and vocabulary. More surprising, students who started learning a foreign language in kindergarten had surpassed expected in all areas by the time they reached 5th grade, particularly in mathematics. Students also exhibit better communication and listening ability, sharper memory, more creativity, and better complex problem solving skills.

Perform Better on Standardized Tests

There are many studies which show that students who study a foreign language consistently outperform others on standardized tests. The College Board, which provides the SAT, says that, students who take a minimum of four years of a foreign language scored more than 100 points higher on both the verbal and math portions of the SAT compared to students who took a half year or less.  Other studies relate bilingual ability with higher scores on verbal and nonverbal IQ tests.  Study of a foreign language increases the college admissions rate. Students are likely to earn better grades in college and less likely to drop out.

Learning a Foreign Language Enhances Career Opportunities

There are many ways learning a second language can enhance your career. A growing number of businesses work closely with people in other countries, whether inside their own company, or with other organizations or governments. Individuals are vital who know foreign languages and are aware of differences between cultures.

There are large numbers of Americans who speak languages other than English. In order to communicate with a wide range of people, many professionals will benefit from knowing a second language. Some of these include doctors and nurses, social workers, police and firefighters, hotel managers, etc. Other areas where knowing a second language is either helpful or necessary include government, the military, law, sales and marketing, travel and hospitality, teaching, translation and communications.

Develop Understanding Of Different Cultures

Globalization is a fact of life. Even America is steadily growing more multicultural and multi-ethnic.

Studying a second language improves communication and cultural perspective. Researchers have discovered that people who know a second language are more accepting of the differences among people. The ability to discuss differences with people from other backgrounds benefits all countries and increases world security.

So now you know that there really are many good reasons to learn to speak French speak Spanish or a second language.