What Progress Looks Like in the First 3 Months of Spanish

If you’ve recently enrolled your child in Spanish lessons, you might be wondering… “Are they actually learning anything?” I know that feeling. You’re watching from the sidelines, cheering them on, hoping the phrases they repeat out loud during class will stick. But without worksheets to grade or tests to track, how can you tell if real progress is happening?

Here’s the truth: Language learning, especially at the beginner level, is often subtle in the early months. You won’t wake up one day and find your elementary-aged child suddenly fluent in Spanish. But you will notice small, meaningful signs that it’s working.

In fact, the first three months are less about perfect grammar and more about building comfort, confidence, and comprehension, which lay the foundation for long-term fluency.

Let’s break it down. Here’s what real progress looks like in your child’s first three months of Spanish, and why these small wins are worth celebrating.

1. They’re Reacting to Spanish Words, Even If They Don’t Always Respond

At the very beginning, most kids are in what experts call the “silent period.” They hear and absorb a lot before they feel confident enough to speak. That’s totally normal. Research shows that children in immersion settings may listen for weeks before producing full sentences.

So how do you know it’s working? Watch their body language. Do they smile when their teacher says “¡Muy bien!”? Do they point to the correct object when asked “¿Dónde está el gato?”? That kind of comprehension is a huge milestone.

2. They’re Repeating Key Phrases from Class

After a few weeks, your child may begin repeating small phrases they hear often:

• Hola (hello)
• Gracias (thank you)
• ¿Puedo ir al baño? (Can I go to the bathroom?)
• ¡Vamos! (Let’s go!)

These “sticky” phrases are a sign that their ear is getting tuned to the rhythm and sounds of the language. Responding in context is also a great way to reinforce learning at home.

3. They Can Follow Simple Commands Without Help

Once your child can follow instructions like:

• Toca tu cabeza (Touch your head)
• Levántate (Stand up)
• Escoge uno (Choose one)

They demonstrate active listening and understanding, two of the most important early skills. These are often the kinds of commands their native-speaking teacher will use in a live, 1-on-1 lesson through Homeschool Spanish Academy.

At this stage, you’ll notice they start anticipating what the teacher will say next, which is another sign of growing confidence.

4. They’re Starting to Mix Spanish Into Everyday Life

One day, your child may casually say “agua” instead of water, or label something in Spanish at the store. That’s your cue: their brain is starting to make real connections between words and meaning.

It doesn’t need to be perfect. Mispronunciations or mixing English and Spanish (a.k.a. “Spanglish”) is part of the process. Praise the effort; it means they’re trying.

5. They’re Gaining Confidence in Speaking Aloud

By the third month, your child might be using full phrases during class or even asking questions. That’s a major leap forward. Speaking out loud, especially with a native teacher, requires both memory and courage.

This is where a 1-on-1 format really shines. Unlike crowded classes or pre-recorded lessons, live sessions give your child time to speak, make mistakes, and get gentle corrections in real time.

6. They’re Having Fun, and That Matters

According to a report shared by Walden University, emotional engagement is one of the top indicators of learning success in young children. If your child looks forward to Spanish class, sings the songs afterward, or asks questions about words they learn, even if you can’t measure it in a quiz.

Joy is a strong motivator. If students are having fun, they’ll stick with it; consistency is everything when learning a language.

7. You’re Seeing More Curiosity About the Language and Culture

You may notice your child asking things like:

• “How do you say ‘dog’ in Spanish?”
• “Why do they say it that way?”
• “Where do people speak Spanish?”

That spark of curiosity means they’re not just memorizing; they’re connecting. And that’s when language learning starts to become a lifelong skill, not just a class.

Final Thoughts

Fluency isn’t the goal in the first three months of Spanish; foundation is. You’re building the core skills that will carry your child forward: listening, understanding, confidence, and curiosity. Every “hola” they say and every command they follow is a step in the right direction.

If you’re looking for a program that nurtures progress through joyful, 1-on-1 attention, try a free trial class with Homeschool Spanish Academy. Our native-speaking teachers are trained to support beginners and celebrate growth, one phrase at a time.

Join one of the 40,000 classes that we teach each month and you can experience results like these

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