Help Your Child Succeed in Language Class!
You don’t have to speak Spanish to support your student. Encourage daily exposure through music, shows, apps, and conversation.
Encourage Daily Exposure to the Language – Even short, fun moments of contact make a big difference.
- Change the language setting on Netflix or Disney+ for a familiar show — use subtitles in English or the target language.
- Listen to music in Spanish together — look up the lyrics and talk about what you think they mean.
- Follow a bilingual YouTube channel or podcast (for teens) — short clips keep interest high.
- Label household items with sticky notes in the target language (la puerta, la fenêtre, la table, etc.).
Use Technology & Apps Wisely
- Encourage 10 minutes a day on Duolingo, Quizlet, Blooket, or Gimkit for vocab review.
- Download a language learning podcast like Coffee Break Spanish or Duolingo Stories.
- Use Google Translate to hear pronunciation or to check how a sentence sounds, not just what it means.
- Create a family “language challenge” — who can say the most new words by Friday?
Support with Homework & Study Habits – You don’t need to know the language — just help them think like a learner.
- Review regularly ALL material posted in Schoology (15-20 minutes daily).
- Ask, “Can you teach me what you learned today?”
- → Teaching someone else helps them remember.
- Help your child organize notes or flashcards by topic (colors, verbs, food, etc.).
- Set up a study space free from distractions for quick daily review.
- Encourage speaking aloud — even if they’re just reading homework directions or vocabulary lists.
Build Confidence and Curiosity – Middle schoolers can get shy or frustrated when language learning feels hard.
- Celebrate effort, not perfection: “I love hearing you practice Spanish/French!”
- Watch a movie or cartoon in the language and talk about cultural differences you notice.
- Try a simple recipe from a Spanish- connect language to real life.
- Talk about why being bilingual is powerful: more job opportunities, travel, and global connections.
Make Cultural Connections – Show interest in the people and traditions behind the language.
- Explore holidays like El Día de los Muertos
- Find a local restaurant, market, or cultural event tied to the language.
- Encourage your child to research a famous person from a Spanish
Contact Information
- Oscar Ruiz – Spanish 1 – oscar.ruiz@risd.org
- Vivian Arroyo – Spanish 1, Spanish 2, Spanish 2 for Spanish Speakers – vivian.arroyo@risd.org
- Heriberto Godinez – Spanish 3 for Spanish Speakers, Spanish 4 for Spanish Speakers – heriberto.godinez@risd.org
