Little person eagerly stated he wanted to learn Spanish a while back. I was thrilled, languages are so important, and I do believe every new language opens a new door. If you're bilingual, you'll understand how meaning and emotion is lost through translation. In order to understand cultures and people, I am a firm believer that language is the most important aspect of all; once you open that door, you can enter a whole new world!
His decision to want to learn spanish was great, but having only ever undertaken a 6 week course about 15 years ago, I realised that this would mean both of us learning and not just him.
In order to start and enjoy this learning journey, I needed to search out resources that would provide the knowledge but fun was an essential add on. Without fun, play or laughter learning is difficult and difficult mundane learning equates to very slow progress as well as the child losing the love for learning.
One of the resources I found and we have loved since buying are the 'Mix and match Spanish flash cards'. Read on to hear why we've enjoyed using these so much.
Contents
The pack includes 52 cards in total; of these 52, 11 are question cards, 39 answer cards, 1 phrase list and 1 instructions card.
How to use the cards
There are 11 question cards, and each question card is a different colour, the answer cards are colour coded to match the question cards. For instance, the blue question card and the blue border answer cards go together.
As a beginner it is important to start the game at an easy level. Lay out the cards, take a question card the matching answer cards, read the question and answers out aloud. Repeat this at least twice before moving onto another question and answers. Repetition builds confidence, and you want to make sure you and your child/children are confident with each card before moving onto a new one. Repetition is also the key to memory, first short term and then long term (using this method everyday).
Once you feel confident, it's time to mix things up. Take a question card and a different answer card, this is sure to make you and little ones laugh. This also reinforces everything you have remembered, helping set those stepping stones.
What we think?
I have in the past made the mistake of subscribing and purchasing resources that are just too difficult to use. If the basics are not there a textbook/workbook is much more difficult to work through.
These cards have been a game changer in the world of language learning. There are many flashcards available, so you're probably wondering why these and not others. From my experience of cards, you have those that contain important words, they work to an extent, but they are only words that you revise. I know with my 8 year old, revising words feels pointless when he doesn't know how to make a sentence, he's impatient and wants to go from words to sentences in a flash, that is where these cards are different, they open that door, he's learning phrases he can use. Once your child knows how to ask a question and answer it, the confidence boost is a huge encouragement to continue. It may not work for all, but all children learn differently, and for us, little person needs to be able to say sentences/short phrases at the moment, grammar and everything associated will come later when he is more aware of languages and structures. Having said that, never underestimate how much children pick up without you realising, little person has picked up the difference between verbs for first person and when talking about second person (with the use of these cards and a few other resources we have used).
It is a huge positive to see pronunciation guide has been added on all the cards, that alone has saved me hours searching google on how to say words. It has also saved me a lot of embarrassment at saying things completely wrong!
The Spanish to English list is perfect. When little person wasn't sure what he was saying (and neither was I) a quick look through the list and we were sorted.
The cards are also beautifully designed with colourful illustrations. Little person relies on illustrations at times (when a little lost) and these cards provide the tool he requires.
The cards are also both a good size and sturdy. Easy to handle by little person, and won't be falling to pieces anytime soon.
In conclusion, these cards facilitate a fun learning/teaching experience; and as mentioned previously a playful approach to learning is always the most effective. I love using resources that require zero use of screens too. All in all, we are super happy about these flashcards, want to know more? Head over to bsmall publishing.
His decision to want to learn spanish was great, but having only ever undertaken a 6 week course about 15 years ago, I realised that this would mean both of us learning and not just him.
In order to start and enjoy this learning journey, I needed to search out resources that would provide the knowledge but fun was an essential add on. Without fun, play or laughter learning is difficult and difficult mundane learning equates to very slow progress as well as the child losing the love for learning.
One of the resources I found and we have loved since buying are the 'Mix and match Spanish flash cards'. Read on to hear why we've enjoyed using these so much.
Contents
The pack includes 52 cards in total; of these 52, 11 are question cards, 39 answer cards, 1 phrase list and 1 instructions card.
How to use the cards
There are 11 question cards, and each question card is a different colour, the answer cards are colour coded to match the question cards. For instance, the blue question card and the blue border answer cards go together.
Once you feel confident, it's time to mix things up. Take a question card and a different answer card, this is sure to make you and little ones laugh. This also reinforces everything you have remembered, helping set those stepping stones.
What we think?
I have in the past made the mistake of subscribing and purchasing resources that are just too difficult to use. If the basics are not there a textbook/workbook is much more difficult to work through.
These cards have been a game changer in the world of language learning. There are many flashcards available, so you're probably wondering why these and not others. From my experience of cards, you have those that contain important words, they work to an extent, but they are only words that you revise. I know with my 8 year old, revising words feels pointless when he doesn't know how to make a sentence, he's impatient and wants to go from words to sentences in a flash, that is where these cards are different, they open that door, he's learning phrases he can use. Once your child knows how to ask a question and answer it, the confidence boost is a huge encouragement to continue. It may not work for all, but all children learn differently, and for us, little person needs to be able to say sentences/short phrases at the moment, grammar and everything associated will come later when he is more aware of languages and structures. Having said that, never underestimate how much children pick up without you realising, little person has picked up the difference between verbs for first person and when talking about second person (with the use of these cards and a few other resources we have used).
It is a huge positive to see pronunciation guide has been added on all the cards, that alone has saved me hours searching google on how to say words. It has also saved me a lot of embarrassment at saying things completely wrong!
The Spanish to English list is perfect. When little person wasn't sure what he was saying (and neither was I) a quick look through the list and we were sorted.
The cards are also beautifully designed with colourful illustrations. Little person relies on illustrations at times (when a little lost) and these cards provide the tool he requires.
The cards are also both a good size and sturdy. Easy to handle by little person, and won't be falling to pieces anytime soon.
In conclusion, these cards facilitate a fun learning/teaching experience; and as mentioned previously a playful approach to learning is always the most effective. I love using resources that require zero use of screens too. All in all, we are super happy about these flashcards, want to know more? Head over to bsmall publishing.
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