Can My Child Speak Spanish If I Don’t? Practice Spanish Together!

If your child is learning Spanish and you don’t speak it yourself, it’s completely natural to feel unsure about how to help. In fact, many parents worry they might “mess things up” or feel awkward saying words they aren’t confident with. However, here’s the good news: you can practice Spanish together to support your child’s Spanish journey.

This post will teach you 40 simple, high-impact Spanish phrases you can start using immediately with your child—even if you’re a complete beginner. These phrases are designed for real family life: mornings, homework time, encouragement, and everyday connection. More importantly, they build the emotional driver that matters most at this age—confidence. When your child sees you trying alongside them, they feel supported, brave, and motivated. Accordingly, these phrases are not about perfection. They are about progress, connection, and shared learning. Your kid will also feel motivated by knowing you are willing to practice Spanish together.

Everyday Cooperation and Routines

These phrases help you participate naturally in daily life without needing full sentences. Secondly, routines are where the most consistent learning happens.

1. Vamos a empezar – Let’s begin
Used to start homework, practice time, or any task together.
Vamos a empezar con la lectura.
Let’s begin with the reading.

2. Solo un momento – Just a moment
Helpful for transitions and patience.
Solo un momento, ya voy contigo.
Just a moment, I’m coming with you.

3. Casi listo/a – Almost ready
Used during mornings or before leaving.
Casi listo, me falta ponerme los zapatos.
Almost ready, I just need to put on my shoes.

4. Ya casi terminamos – We’re almost finished
Great for encouraging perseverance.
Ya casi terminamos la tarea.
We’re almost finished with the homework.

5. Inténtalo de nuevo – Try again
Supports resilience without pressure.
Inténtalo de nuevo, tú puedes.
Try again, you can do it.

6. Voy contigo – I’m going with you
Shows emotional support and presence.
Voy contigo a hablar con la maestra.
I’ll go with you to talk to the teacher.

7. Necesito tu ayuda – I need your help
Builds cooperation and confidence.
Necesito tu ayuda con esto.
I need your help with this.

8. ¿Listo/a para seguir? – Ready to continue?
Used to restart focus gently.
¿Listos para seguir con español?
Ready to continue with Spanish?

In contrast to command-heavy language, these phrases create teamwork and shared responsibility.

Encouragement and Emotional Support

These phrases directly address frustration, self-doubt, and emotional regulation—key challenges for middle school learners. Therefore, they are some of the most powerful words you can use while you practice Spanish together!

9. Estoy orgulloso/a de ti – I’m proud of you
Affirms effort, not just results.
Estoy orgullosa de ti por intentarlo.
I’m proud of you for trying.

10. Sigue así – Keep it up
Motivates continued effort.
Sigue así, estás mejorando mucho.
Keep it up, you’re improving a lot.

11. No pasa nada – It’s okay
Helps release fear of mistakes.
No pasa nada si te equivocas.
It’s okay if you make a mistake.

12. Confío en ti – I believe in you
Builds self-trust and courage.
Confío en ti para hacerlo.
I believe in you to do it.

13. Respira profundo – Take a deep breath
Supports emotional regulation.
Respira profundo antes de contestar.
Take a deep breath before answering.

14. Tómate tu tiempo – Take your time
Removes pressure from speaking.
Tómate tu tiempo para pensar.
Take your time to think.

15. Estoy aquí contigo – I’m here with you
Reassures during hard moments.
Estoy aquí contigo mientras practicas.
I’m here with you while you practice.

16. Vamos paso a paso – Let’s go step by step
Encourages slow, steady progress.
Vamos paso a paso con estas palabras.
Let’s go step by step with these words.

In fact, emotional safety is one of the strongest predictors of long-term language success.

Homework and Learning Moments

These phrases allow you to guide practice even if you don’t fully understand the lesson. Consequently, they turn you into a learning partner instead of a bystander.

17. Escucha con atención – Listen carefully
Used before instructions or explanations.
Escucha con atención a la pregunta.
Listen carefully to the question.

18. Repite conmigo – Repeat with me
Supports pronunciation and memory.
Repite conmigo la frase.
Repeat the phrase with me.

19. ¿Qué significa esto? – What does this mean?
Invites curiosity without embarrassment.
¿Qué significa esto en inglés?
What does this mean in English?

20. Hablemos en español – Let’s speak in Spanish
Creates immersion moments at home.
Hablemos en español por cinco minutos.
Let’s speak in Spanish for five minutes.

21. Buena pregunta – Good question
Encourages active thinking.
Buena pregunta, vamos a buscarla.
Good question, let’s look it up.

22. Vamos a practicar – Let’s practice
Signals focused learning time.
Vamos a practicar estas palabras.
Let’s practice these words.

23. Intenta decirlo – Try to say it
Builds speaking confidence.
Intenta decirlo sin mirar.
Try to say it without looking.

24. Así se dice – This is how you say it
Models gentle correction.
Así se dice en español.
This is how you say it in Spanish.

Accordingly, these phrases help replace passive homework time with active participation.

Connection and Family Life

These phrases strengthen family bonds and allow Spanish to live inside real relationships, not just inside textbooks. They are perfect if you decide to practice Spanish together.

25. Ven conmigo – Come with me
Encourages shared activities.
Ven conmigo a la cocina.
Come with me to the kitchen.

26. ¿Quieres ayudar? – Do you want to help?
Invites teamwork.
¿Quieres ayudar con la cena?
Do you want to help with dinner?

27. Es tu turno – It’s your turn
Useful for games and practice.
Es tu turno de leer.
It’s your turn to read.

28. Cuéntame más – Tell me more
Encourages storytelling and detail.
Cuéntame más sobre tu clase.
Tell me more about your class.

29. Me gusta esto – I like this
Models personal opinions.
Me gusta esto en español.
I like this in Spanish.

30. ¿Qué piensas tú? – What do you think?
Invites reflection.
¿Qué piensas tú de esta historia?
What do you think about this story?

31. Vamos juntos – Let’s go together
Builds togetherness.
Vamos juntos a practicar.
Let’s go practice together.

32. Eres muy creativo/a – You are very creative
Boosts identity and confidence.
Eres muy creativo con tus ideas.
You’re very creative with your ideas.

In many Latin American cultures, learning happens within close family relationships, not in isolation. Therefore, these phrases reflect that cultural value of togetherness.

Gentle Conversation Starters

These phrases help start Spanish conversations without pressure. Simultaneously, they create repeated exposure in short, manageable moments.

33. ¿Cómo te fue? – How did it go?
Invites reflection after class.
¿Cómo te fue en tu clase de español?
How did your Spanish class go?

34. ¿Qué aprendiste hoy? – What did you learn today?
Encourages recall and memory.
¿Qué aprendiste hoy en la lección?
What did you learn in the lesson today?

35. Dime una palabra – Tell me one word
Creates low-stress recall.
Dime una palabra nueva.
Tell me one new word.

36. ¿Te gusta aprender? – Do you like learning?
Invites emotional reflection.
¿Te gusta aprender español?
Do you like learning Spanish?

37. Descríbelo en español – Describe it in Spanish
Builds descriptive skills.
Descríbelo en español, por favor.
Describe it in Spanish, please.

38. ¿Qué más recuerdas? – What else do you remember?
Encourages deeper memory.
¿Qué más recuerdas de la clase?
What else do you remember from class?

39. Enséñame algo nuevo – Teach me something new
Empowers the child as the expert.
Enséñame algo nuevo en español.
Teach me something new in Spanish.

40. Practiquemos un minuto – Let’s practice for one minute
Removes time pressure.
Practiquemos un minuto nada más.
Let’s practice for just one minute.

Therefore, even short daily interactions become meaningful language practice.

Bonus Mini Practice Activity

Choose three phrases per day and use them naturally during routines. For example:
Morning: Casi listo/a, Vamos a empezar, Confío en ti
Homework: Vamos a practicar, Intenta decirlo, Así se dice
Evening: ¿Qué aprendiste hoy?, Cuéntame más, Estoy orgulloso/a de ti

In spite of busy schedules, this five-minute habit builds massive confidence over time.

Take a Step Further Helping Your Kid Learning Spanish!

Practice Spanish together, even if you don’t speak it because it is incredibly powerful. These 40 phrases allow you to show up with confidence, warmth, and consistency, which is exactly what beginner learners need most. Instead of feeling left out of your child’s learning, you become a key part of it. As a result, your child gains emotional safety, stronger motivation, and real-world speaking confidence that no worksheet alone can provide.

If you’re ready to support your child with expert guidance, Homeschool Spanish Academy offers 100% online classes with native Spanish-speaking teachers, an engaging curriculum, and flexible scheduling. We offer 1-on-1 private sessions or 2-on-1 paired sessions for siblings or friends. Ready to begin? Book your free trial class today and start building confidence together.

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