Raising bilingual kids in a mostly English-speaking world isn’t always easy, especially as they get older and naturally gravitate toward English. But encouraging them to speak more Spanish doesn’t have to feel like a battle! With the right approach, you can help them stay engaged, confident, and proud of their bilingual skills.
In this episode, we’ll explore 4 powerful strategies and a bonus tip to make Spanish a natural and enjoyable part of their daily lives.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
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Why older kids may prefer English and how to shift their mindset.
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Creative ways to integrate Spanish into their daily interests.
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How to lead by example and make Spanish part of your home life.
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The long-term financial and career benefits of being bilingual.
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Practical tips to make Spanish feel fun, engaging, and rewarding.
3 Ways to Get Your Kids to Speak More Spanish
1. Make It Fun and Relevant
If Spanish feels like a chore, kids won’t want to speak it. Instead, integrate it into things they already love:
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Music & Movies – Let them listen to Spanish music from artists they enjoy or watch Spanish-language versions of their favorite shows.
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Games & Challenges – Make it a game! Try a “Spanish-only” dinner or offer small rewards for using Spanish naturally in conversation. We love playing Lotería and Domino en español.
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Pop Culture & Social Media – Follow bilingual influencers or content creators who make Spanish fun and relatable.
2. Model the Language
Kids take cues from their parents, so if you want them to speak Spanish, you need to make it a priority yourself. Even if you’re not perfectly fluent, try:
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Speaking Spanish at home as much as possible.
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Narrating your daily activities in Spanish.
- Watch tv in Spanish, read in Spanish, and have conversations with extended family in Spanish.
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Encouraging family members to engage in Spanish conversations.
They may resist at first, but the more they hear and see you using Spanish, the more natural it will feel for them to do the same.
3. Show Them the Financial Benefits
Older kids are more motivated when they see a real-world advantage. Explain how being bilingual can:
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Lead tohigher-paying jobs in the future.
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Make themstand out in college applications.
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Open doors totravel and global opportunities.
If possible, introduce them to bilingual professionals or even help them find part-time jobs where Spanish is an asset. Seeing the long-term benefits can make them more willing to practice.
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- Online Course: How to Raise a Bilingual Spanish Child
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Final Thoughts
Encouraging your kids to speak more Spanish is all about making it meaningful, engaging, and beneficial for them. By making it fun, modeling the language, and showing them its real-world advantages, you can help them embrace their bilingualism with confidence.
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