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Please note – this article is part of a series on the best homeschool Spanish curriculums. This article discusses homeschool Spanish curriculums for middle schoolers. If you have an older or younger student, check out our other articles Best Spanish Program for Homeschoolers–High School, Best Spanish Program for Homeschoolers–Elementary, and Best Homeschool Kindergarten Spanish Curriculum.
- Best All-Around Program: Rosetta Stone Homeschool Spanish
- Best Hands-On Program: La Clase Divertida
- Best Budget Program: Living Language Spanish
Middle school is a wonderful time to have your homeschooled student begin learning a foreign language. When students study another language, they learn so much more than just the language itself; they also learn the geography, history, and culture of another part of the world. Middle school students are curious and creative, so these years are a great time to spark their passion in learning about the language and culture of another part of the world.
Spanish is one of the most popular languages that middle school students choose to study, but it can be hard for homeschooling parents to know which curriculums will best suit their needs. In this article, we’ll tell you about three of our favorite homeschool Spanish programs for middle school students.
Best All-Around Program
Rosetta Stone Homeschool Spanish
If you are looking for a comprehensive immersion program that your middle school student can complete independently with virtually no parent prep time, consider the fantastic Spanish programs offered by Rosetta Stone Homeschool. These programs are online, so your child will not need any textbooks or other materials – only a computer, tablet, or smartphone. Lessons can also be downloaded ahead of time when an internet connection is not available.
Rosetta Stone Homeschool is immersion-based. Your student will jump into Spanish vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation right away. The program is also unique in its advanced speech technology, which listens to your student’s pronunciation of words and corrects it when needed. You can easily access and print out reports on your child’s progress.
Rosetta Stone Homeschool offers two different Spanish programs – Latin American Spanish and Spain (Castellano) Spanish. Both programs are excellent. While there are small grammar and vocabulary differences between the two approaches, the main difference will be in pronunciation. If your goal is for your child to be able to speak fluently with her Spanish-speaking peers in the United States, go with the Latin American Spanish.
Access to Rosetta Stone Homeschool’s language programs is subscription-based. If you’ll be using the program for one student for one year, you’ll want to purchase the 12-month Single Student Online subscription. There is also a 6-month subscription option and a longer 24-month subscription, which allows access for up to three students (each of whom can take a different language, if desired).
Best Hands-On Program
La Clase Divertida – translated as “The Fun Class” – is an excellent, comprehensive Spanish program. It is designed for kids in grades K-8, so it’s a fantastic choice if you have younger kids who will be learning Spanish alongside your middle school student. Because it’s geared toward elementary as well as middle-school students, this program has plenty of hands-on activities that will immerse your student in the culture of Spanish-speaking countries as well as the language itself. The course teaches Spanish using traditional written work alongside a variety of creative, hands-on activities. Students learn from DVD instruction, songs, and cooking and craft projects. No previous Spanish knowledge is required for either students or their parents.
Level 1 of the program focuses on Latin American conversational Spanish, covering the Spanish alphabet and teaching basic Spanish vocabulary such as numbers, colors, days of the week, pets, family members, and body parts. Students follow the DVD lessons, listen to the audio pronunciation instructions, and complete the workbook exercises. They also get to do craft projects (like making a Mexican flag and tissue paper flowers) and learn to make simple Latin American dishes (such as quesadillas and fried ice cream).
The program is clearly structured and includes clear guidance for each lesson. For the most convenience, purchase the entire Level 1 program as a kit, which includes all the materials you will need for two students: two student workbooks, the teacher’s manual, an audio CD, two DVDs, and two sets of craft materials, as well as a canvas bag in which you can store everything.
Best Budget Program
Living Language Spanish, Complete Edition
If you are looking for a solid Spanish program that won’t break the bank, consider the affordable Living Language Spanish course published by Random House. The program is well designed to effectively teach Spanish in a short period of time. It is a comprehensive course, covering vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, practice, and culture.
Each of the lessons in the Living Language Spanish course uses a four-part structure to effectively teach the language. The four parts consist of presentation (words, phrases, and concepts are first presented to the student, with examples included), practice (students practice the new concept through written, audio, and other interactive activities), expansion (students encounter new vocabulary and concepts in increasingly more complex contexts), and review/reinforcement (each lesson requires students to practice and review previously introduced concepts so that they aren’t forgotten).
This complete course consists of 46 short lessons. For the most convenience, purchase the complete package, which includes three books, nine audio CDs, and free access to Living Language’s online learning platform.
Conclusion
Middle school is a wonderful time to have your homeschooled student begin learning Spanish, and there are several excellent Spanish programs to choose from. If you have questions or would like more information on this topic, please email us!