I have just had the easiest time starting a Spanish immersion playgroup for my kids and some of our friends. It was so easy that I'm waiting for something to go wrong. I thought I'd share my short (very lucky) journey in case anyone here wants to try and do the same.
Since we live in Arizona native Spanish speakers are everywhere. I called our local university's college of education. I asked them if they could put out word to their students that we're looking for a native speaker to lead a playgroup. Then I called the community college early childhood department. That woman posted on the local Association for the Education of Young Children listserv. I've gotten 4 calls. Two people we couldn't afford. The woman we are doing this with is very experienced at this and is doing it for $2.50 per kid per session because she enjoys doing these type of groups.
I know we had just incredible good fortune in finding her. Because I live within walking distance of the university, we figured we would only be attractive to a university student who would work for such little money. We had no idea we'd get such an experienced teacher.
I'm encouraging everyone out there who wants their kids (especially their little kids) to learn a foreign language to try this. If there is a language commonly spoken in your area maybe you could find a college student or a retired person who will lead a group because they enjoy it.
Although we will have a small circle time, mainly she will be doing activities with the kids. She mentioned things like cooking, planting in containers, or carving pumpkins at Halloween. She said a lot of times she'll just let the kids play and she'll say things like, "I see you're stacking 3 blue blocks" (though in Spanish, of course.)
Good luck to everyone.
Since we live in Arizona native Spanish speakers are everywhere. I called our local university's college of education. I asked them if they could put out word to their students that we're looking for a native speaker to lead a playgroup. Then I called the community college early childhood department. That woman posted on the local Association for the Education of Young Children listserv. I've gotten 4 calls. Two people we couldn't afford. The woman we are doing this with is very experienced at this and is doing it for $2.50 per kid per session because she enjoys doing these type of groups.
I know we had just incredible good fortune in finding her. Because I live within walking distance of the university, we figured we would only be attractive to a university student who would work for such little money. We had no idea we'd get such an experienced teacher.
I'm encouraging everyone out there who wants their kids (especially their little kids) to learn a foreign language to try this. If there is a language commonly spoken in your area maybe you could find a college student or a retired person who will lead a group because they enjoy it.
Although we will have a small circle time, mainly she will be doing activities with the kids. She mentioned things like cooking, planting in containers, or carving pumpkins at Halloween. She said a lot of times she'll just let the kids play and she'll say things like, "I see you're stacking 3 blue blocks" (though in Spanish, of course.)
Good luck to everyone.
