How to Keep Up with Spanish During Breaks and Vacations

Plane tickets are ready! It’s time to travel and learn Spanish on vacations!

Although holidays are a time for you and your children to disconnect from all educational activities, it is vital to keep your brains active.

Also, you will realize that your kids will have a lot of time to learn a new language that will benefit them for the rest of their lives.

So, if you’re about to take a trip with your family during the summer, check out this Spanish learning guide to make the most of your time and continue practicing your Spanish.

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Importance of the Spanish Language Practice During Vacations

If you consider that your children’s level of Spanish is not good enough, you should know that the school break may be an ideal time to help them learn Spanish on vacations.

It’s necessary to constantly practice and surround yourself with the language, so it will be easier for them to remember what they learned in the school year.

Your children’s time during classes is busier since they have to do homework, carry out projects with classmates, take extracurricular courses, etc.

That is why vacation time is vital to learn Spanish quickly and retaining the information they got during the school year.

In addition, if you travel with the whole family, it will be easier for them to continue learning because can get all your children together, and have them study simultaneously.

Hey, they might even like competing with each other!

We recommend that you take your family to a Spanish-speaking country if you can.

This way, they will keep their progress level and acquire more fluency and even idioms typical of the country or culture they visit.

We recommend: The Ultimate Family Adventure: 5 Travel Destinations in Latin America

Incorporating Spanish Language Learning into Travel Plans

The first thing you should do is choose the best place where everyone can have a good time.

If you travel to a Spanish-speaking country, it’s important to decide which accent you prefer to learn: Mexican, Argentine, Spanish, Guatemalan, etc.

Then choose the number of hours or activities you wish to invest in practicing Spanish with your kids.

Remember, you’re still on vacation, so don’t overdo it.

That means deciding if you will enroll your children in a quick course to learn Spanish or only enjoy tourist activities to practice the language as a family.

The advantage of visiting Latin American countries is that they’re rich in culture and traditions, so your travel plan will be full of unique places to visit, typical regional dishes, and incredible traditions.

Once you have chosen the country, it is time to plan how you want to spend your days abroad.

You must decide where you want to go and if you will spend most of the time in big cities or prefer to venture into smaller communities.

Going from city to city or between activities, you can suggest listening to a podcast in Spanish on exciting topics for your children or listening to music in Spanish.

And finally, don’t forget to look for times and places for your children to practice Spanish with local people without fear of being judged or making mistakes.

Use Digital Resources and Language Learning Apps for Vacations in Spanish

Technology can be a great ally in any aspect of our lives, especially when learning a new language.

No need to carry textbooks anymore!

It doesn’t matter if you travel in your own country or to a foreign one. You can download apps on your cell phone or tablet because they will help your children practice Spanish anywhere.

Several of these apps are free or quite inexpensive, and their primary purpose is to provide basic help for the practice of Spanish.

They are ideal tools to reinforce the lessons that your children receive at school.

With apps like Duolingo or Babbel, they can practice their vocabulary and how to communicate using phrases or essential questions.

You can also use Google Translate, Linguee, or HiNative so that all family members can communicate or understand what is on the menu.

Some apps have nothing to do with learning Spanish but will undoubtedly make your trip more dynamic. Meetup, Couchsurfing, or Tandem will help you find local events and activities, or for those traveling alone, you can find new local friends to practice your Spanish with.

These apps and resources will make your travel experience much nicer!

Spanish Immersion Vacation: Engage with Native Spanish Speakers

Travel and learn Spanish!

Without a doubt, by learning Spanish in a Spanish-speaking country, your children will be fully immersed in the culture, and they will learn it in no time.

Living the language together with the culture, customs, and traditions makes the trip and vacation an invaluable experience.

One of the most important recommendations you should consider is to be curious and respectful of their culture, opinions, and traditions.

When you go to a small community where you can see the work of artisans or farmers up close, talk to them about their lives, ask them to tell curious stories about their work, etc.

Avoid discussing sensitive topics that can make people uncomfortable. Sometimes listening more than speaking can be excellent to correct your Spanish.

Always remember to be kind and say por favor – please and gracias – thank you.

Most people in Latin American countries tend to be very friendly and relaxed, so practicing your Spanish should be a fun and memorable task.

Learn not to take your mistakes so seriously, and don’t be afraid to sound silly. The locals will appreciate it if you try to speak their language, and you can quickly connect with them.

Go to as many of the country’s traditional activities to experience its culture and language up close and force yourself to speak it in contexts and places where no one else speaks English.

Do not limit yourself to visiting the same places that you have already known. Go to new restaurants, markets, and coffee shops.

Do new activities like visiting museums, parks, art festivals, flea markets, etc. That will make you interact with new people, such as the owners of the premises, artists, and even children.

Learn Spanish and Have Exciting Vacations Abroad

Don’t forget that perseverance and practice are crucial elements to learn Spanish and maintain the fluency that your children have acquired.

Practicing it during vacations can be fun, but your children should continue their Spanish classes when they return home.

After the summer, you can enroll your children in classes to help them with their Spanish lessons.

At Homeschool Spanish Academy, we have student-tailored Spanish programs and flexible scheduling for choosing the best one that fits your children’s needs.

Parents voted us the “Best Overall Online Spanish Classes for Kids,” so don’t miss our 5-star program.

We’ve been teaching Spanish for over 10 years, so click here to check our prices and programs available for all ages.

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“This is the best way for your kid to learn Spanish. It’s one-on-one, taught by native Spanish speakers, and uses a curriculum.”

– Sharon K, Parent of 3

“It’s a great way to learn Spanish, from native Spanish speakers in a 1-on-1 environment. It’s been fairly easy to schedule classes around my daughter’s other classes. The best value for us has been ordering multiple classes at a time. All the instructors have been great!”

– Cindy D, Parent of 3

“HSA offers very affordable, quality, one on one classes with a native speaker. My son has greatly benefited from taking classes. We have seen his confidence increase as well as his pronunciation improve because he learns from a native Spanish speaker. HSA has quick, personal customer service. Our family has been very pleased with our experience so far!”

– Erica P. Parent of 1

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J.A. García

Freelance Writer at Homeschool Spanish Academy

I am a Guatemalan bilingual fiction writer, translator, and journalist. In my spare time I like to read, play video games, and do sports. I’m a fan of historical fiction, family sagas, and graphic novels. I’m left-handed, a failed drummer, an amateur goalkeeper, and I drive a 1988 Subaru J10.