
For some people, the ability to speak more than one language is almost taken for granted. For others, the desire to learn a foreign language is something that teases and taunts them throughout their lives.
I believe that too much emphasis is placed on thinking that certain individuals are “gifted” when it comes to language learning. On the same note, I also believe that too many who learn a foreign language are not credited for the effort they put in.
[bctt tweet=”Like with most aspects in life, if you want to, and you make the effort, you can!”]
Language learning requires:
- time
- dedication
- opportunity
- motivation
- a language plan
- a big dose of confidence!
I have been lucky to grow up learning languages. Maybe not as many as I may have liked. I am intrigued by people who speak exotic languages, rather than my run of the mill English, Spanish and French. However, my language acquisition was a result of my education, travels and family life.
Born in England, I am fortunate to have English as my mother tongue. At school, I studied basic French and German and went on to study French at A level. I then went on to study a Degree in European Business, 2 years of which was spent in France.
Despite a half hearted attempt at Spanish O’ level, my knowledge of Spanish has been self-taught. Over twenty years in Spain has provided me with one of the best classrooms anybody can hope for.
One of our main reasons for choosing to live in Spain was the gift we could offer our children.
The gift of a second language.
I am proud to say that I am mother to two beautiful bilingual children.
Would I say that my children are “gifted” regarding language learning?
No, I wouldn’t.
Would I say it is easy bringing up bilingual children?
No, I wouldn’t.
Would I say I regret doing it?
No, never.
Would I encourage anyone to try it?
Yes, definitely!
Now I must confess. I have, up to this point, taken my language learning for granted. I grew up being told that I had a “gift for languages”. I´m not saying it was easy. I simply soldiered on and continued to learn. I let nothing stand in my way.
Some day soon:
- I will share my personal learning experiences with you
- I will tell you how I think attitude towards language learning needs to change
- I will share some practical guidance from Rita Rosenback’s book “Bringing up a Bilingual Child”
- I will explain the idea and aspirations behind our Cooking With Languages project
Before I go, I have something wonderful to share with you. I am fortunate to be a member of two inspirational Facebook Groups :
I am fortunate to be a member of two inspirational Facebook Groups :
I asked members of these groups to complete this statement:
“Living in a country and not speaking the language, is like …”
Here are some of the many answers provided by members of those groups and other friends:

It is clear to see, for those of us lucky to be involved in a world of languages, in whatever shape or form, as a parent, as an educator, we all feel that by not learning languages we are missing out on so many wonderful experiences.
Learning languages:
- opens doors to new worlds,
- increases opportunities of adventure
- creates passion.
It’s never too soon nor too late to start learning a language!
Finally, I think this quote from Jennifer Brunk of Spanish Playground, creates a beautiful picture of where you can be once you take that first step towards learning a new language:
.. it’s like being at the bottom of a huge mountain where every tiny step you take gives you a better view.
So, come on, what are you waiting for? A new world is waiting to be discovered … by YOU !
Aquí hay 10 de las mejores páginas web para que los niños aprendan idiomas. A pesar de que actualmente nos hemos centrado en el inglés y el español, dos de los idiomas más hablados en la actualidad, algunas de estas webs ofrecen una gran variedad de idiomas.
Estas 10 de las mejores páginas web para que los Niños aprendan idiomas están ordenadas aleatoriamente, sin ningún orden en particular. En Cooking With Languages (Cocinar con Idiomas) entendemos que cada niño y niña tiene un estilo distinto a la hora de aprender. Simplemente visita las páginas a continuación y guarda en favoritos aquellas que creas más adecuadas para tus pequeños.
¡Hagamos el aprender idiomas divertido!

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Esta página divide las lecciones dependiendo del nivel que buscas aprender. Hay tres niveles:
- Principiante, con vocabulario básico para aquellos que se están iniciando con el español;
- Intermedio, para aquellos que se sientan un poco más cómodos con su nivel y quieran mejorar y ampliar conocimientos.
- Avanzado, para aquellos que necesitan un pequeño empujón para perfeccionar su español.
En general, la página está orientada para niños y tiene una gran multitud de lecciones y actividades desde puzzles a sopas de letras, juegos de memoria y canciones. Los más pequeños de la casa se lo pasarán muy bien a la vez que aprenden un nuevo idioma.

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Esta web fue, definitivamente, creada para los más jóvenes interesados en aprender español. Es muy fácil de usar lo que facilitará la tarea a los pequeños y conseguirá que no se pierdan o no sepan que hacer a continuación. En esta web de BBC aprenderán lo básico del idioma además de un poco de aspectos culturales, para así poder iniciar su inmersión en el idioma para un día poder hablar como un nativo.

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Lo que diferencia esta página del resto es el hecho que no enseña únicamente idiomas. Te enseña español a la vez que aprendes sobre temas en particular comúnmente conocidos como temas de “Cultura General”. Así que vuestros niños no estarán únicamente aprendiendo nuevo vocabulario y frases sino que, a la vez, estarán aprendiendo Geografía, Fisiología, Historia, etc. Por lo tanto, es una forma fantástica de aprender un idioma sin que parezca tedioso.

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CVC (Centro Virtual Cervantes) es una web patrocinada por LaCaixa y Instituto Cervantes. Es una web realmente orientada para los más jóvenes y tiene una interfaz realmente interesante y divertida que es fácil de utilizar. Está presentada como un juego “flash” y enseña un vocabulario básico que un niño debería saber cuando empieza a hablar un idioma. No es demasiado avanzado así que todos aquellos que se estén iniciando deberían entender todo lo que se les enseña sin ningún problema.

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Como el título indica en español, el propósito de esta web es enseñar español a niños a través de unos entretenidos y divertidos cuentos interactivos. Los pequeños pueden elegir el cuento que más les llame la atención y, a continuación, el cuento interactivo empezará y así los niños y niñas escucharán un divertido cuento mientras aprenden, ¡casi sin darse cuenta!

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Aquí otra web que es genial para aquellos que están interesados en aprender español y se están iniciando. La página tiene una interfaz sencilla y bonita con diferentes dibujos e imágenes que captarán la atención de los pequeños. Los niños y niñas definitivamente querrán aprender español, ya que lo verán como algo divertido y entretenido a hacer, no como una “aburrida” lección.

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Esta web es perfecta para aquellos niños que justo empiezan a aprender el idioma. En este caso, la web está diseñada para aquellos niños que quieran aprender inglés, una de los idiomas más importantes en el mundo actual. La web incluye una gran variedad de actividades así como cuentos cortos para que los más pequeños se acostumbren a las formas más básicas de gramática y vocabulario. EnglishClub será muy divertido y educacional para aquellos que quieran estudiar inglés.

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Como el título de la web indica, esta página está básicamente centrada en juegos en español, lo que significa muchas experiencias divertidas y también educacionales. A los pequeños les encantará ya que tiene una amplia variedad de juegos, todos en español, ¡así que seguro que no se aburrirán de jugar y aprender español a la vez!

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La estructura de esta página es simplemente fantástica. Todas las actividades están categorizadas según la edad (y, por lo tanto, el nivel aproximado) de los futuros bilingües.
- “Series One” o Serie Uno está hecha para las criaturas entre 4 y 7 años.
- “Series Two” o Serie Dos dedicada a las mayores de 8 años.
De esta forma los niños aprenderán palabras y frases según su edad para que así no sea demasiado complicado para ellos. La web consta de videos, juegos y puzzles así que los niños de lo pasarán realmente bien mientras están aprendiendo.

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Cooking With Languages (CWL)
Evidentemente, necesitábamos incluir nuestra nueva web en la lista. No estaríamos desarrollándola si no pensaramos realmente que Arthur Apple y Nerea Naranja serán mejores amigos o “best friends” con muchos de nuestros jóvenes aprendices. La intención de CWL es aprender inglés y español* mientras pasándolo bien en la cocina. Realmente creemos en el aprendizaje activo del idioma (por ejemplo, usando el idioma que queremos aprender en una actividad divertida). En este caso, hemos escogido el cocinar. A los niños y niñas les encanta cocina, o por lo menos, ayudar en la cocina. Con CWL también les encantará aprender idiomas. “Vamos a la cocina…”
*más idiomas disponibles en el futuro.
See you soon, friends!

Read this article in English
Here are 10 of the best language learning websites for children. Although we are currently focusing on English and Spanish, two of the most spoken languages in today’s modern world, some of these websites offer various different languages.
These 10 of the best language learning websites for children are listed in no particular order. At Cooking With Languages, we understand that every child has a unique learning style. Simply visit the websites below and bookmark those which appeal most to your young learner …
Let’s make language learning fun!

This website divides the different lessons depending on the level you are seeking to learn. The three levels are:
- Beginner, with basic vocabulary for those who are only just starting to learn Spanish;
- Intermediate for those who feel a bit more confident with their level and want to improve their language skills;
- Advanced for everyone who just need a little extra push to perfect their Spanish Skill.
Overall the website is very child-orientated and has plenty of lessons and activities from puzzles and Word search to Memory Games and songs. Young learners will definitely have a great time browsing this website for as they learn a new language.

This website was definitely created for young learners seeking to learn Spanish. It is very easy to browse which will allow the children to search it freely without getting confused on where to go next. With this BBC website they will be able to learn the basics of the languages as well as a bit of culture, so that they can start their immersion into the language to eventually speak it just like a native.

What makes this website different from the rest is the fact that it is not only teaching you a language. It teaches you Spanish as you learn from a variety of other topics which could be classified as “General Knowledge” topics. So your children will not only be learning new vocabulary and sentences but they will, at the same time, be learning about Geography, Physiology, History etc This is a great way to learn a language without focusing directly on it.

CVC (Centro Virtual Cervantes) is a website sponsored by LaCaixa and Instituto Cervantes. It is very child-orientated and has a very fun and interesting interface that will be easy for children to browse. It is set out as a flash game and teaches the basic vocabulary a child should know when starting to speak a new language. It is not very advanced so most children who are getting started should be able to understand what is being taught to them without a problem.

Just as the title states in Spanish, this website’s purpose is to teach Spanish to children through fun and entertaining interactive tales. The children get to choose the story they like most or are most interested in. After that, the interactive tale will begin making the child have a lot of fun while learning, without them even noticing!

Here is another website that is just wonderful for those who are interested in learning Spanish and are only just getting started. The web page has a nice and simple interface with different pictures and drawings that will catch children’s attention. They will definitely want to go back to learn some more Spanish as they will see it as a fun thing to do, like a game, instead of a “boring” lesson.

This web page is perfect for those children who are only getting started learning the language. In this case, it is designed for children who want to learn English, one of the most spoken and most important languages in today’s world. The site includes different types of activities as well as short stories so that young learners will get used to the most basic forms of grammar and vocabulary. EnglishClub will definitely be fun and educational for those who are interested in starting to learn English.
[bctt tweet=”Check out this great post: 10 of the Best Language Learning Websites for Children “]

As the website’s name indicates, this website is mainly focused on games in Spanish which means lots of fun moments that are educational at the same time. The children will definitely love it as there is a great variety of games, all of them in Spanish, so they not get bored of playing and learning Spanish at the same time!

This is a fantastically structured website. All the activities are categorised according to the age (and, therefore, approximate level) of the future Spanish speakers.
- Series One was made for children who are between 4 and 7 years old.
- Series Two for those who are over 8 years old.
This way the children are learning words and sentences according to their age, so that it is not over-complicated for them. This website has videos, games and puzzles so the children will definitely enjoy what they do while they are learning.

Of course, we needed to include our own new website in this list. We wouldn’t be developing it if we didn’t truly believe that Arthur Apple and Nerea Naranja would become “best friends”, “mejores amigos”, with many of your young language learners. The focus of CWL is learning English and Spanish* whilst having fun in the kitchen. We are true believers in active language learning i.e.. using the target language whilst participating in a fun activity. In this case, we have chosen cooking. Children love to cook or at least help in the kitchen. With Cooking With Languages they will love to learn languages too.
*more languages will be available in the future.
These are only 10 of many great language learning websites for children. We plan to share many more with you. Please add any suggestions in comments below and let’s all make language learning fun together 🙂
Leer en español.
¡Hasta pronto amigos!
