Prioritizing Practical Spanish: How One Mom Is Using Homeschool Languages

As busy moms who do so much, we know that it can be hard to be consistent with language lessons. We sat down with Megan Carrillo, a busy mom of five and an inspiration to us all, who shared how she's using Homeschool Languages with her family, giving herself grace when life gets too busy, and noticing the small wins.

Hi, Megan! Can you tell us a little about your family and what your homeschool days typically look like?

This is our seventh year of homeschooling our five kids, and each year looks a little different from the last. With children ranging from 7th grade down to TK, I tend to lean into family-style curriculum for as many subjects as possible. Although it’s hard to define our exact homeschool style, we gravitate toward a mix of classical education and the Charlotte Mason approach, with many living books and hands-on experiences. Our days are full of rotating lessons, read-alouds, and never-ending snack breaks.

What originally inspired you to teach your children a second language, and what language(s) have you studied or are you studying?

My husband is fluent in Spanish, and although I’ve been trying to become fluent myself for over a decade, we just haven’t practiced consistently enough for me to really use what I’ve learned through my infamous little green bird app. We picked up Homeschool Languages vocabulary units as a way to slowly incorporate Spanish phrases into our already full homeschool day in manageable portions. Learning a second language as an adult is hard, and I would love for my kids to have a head start by learning while they’re growing up.

What challenges or frustrations have you run into when trying to teach a language?

My biggest challenge with both learning and teaching a new language has been consistency. We can practice flashcards, play games, and watch Spanish videos all day long, but if we aren’t using those skills regularly, I don’t feel like we’re actually retaining much. Language is more than flashcard drills. It needs to be part of everyday life and routine.

What are the top things you look for or value in a curriculum?

I really value family-style learning and a variety of teaching methods like hands-on, audio, and video. I also need flexibility: something we can pause and pick back up easily, both within a lesson and throughout the curriculum, because many days are tight on time.

How does Homeschool Languages fit into your weekly rhythm? 

If I’m being completely honest, this semester we haven’t completed any Spanish lessons, because it’s often the first thing to get pushed to the back burner. But last semester, we were typically working through about twenty minutes twice a week, sometimes adding a workbook page for my older kids, and then watching the videos throughout the week.

What does a typical lesson look like in your home?

We rarely made it through a full Spanish lesson all at once. Usually, we would break it up into smaller chunks and then try to use those words throughout the week. My 7th grader picks up vocabulary very quickly, while my younger girls in 5th and 3rd need more repetition. We also pair our lessons with Dinolingo.com. It’s a completely different approach from Homeschool Languages, but it gives us some extra vocabulary practice. That said, they learn very few words that actually translate into everyday life. I mean, I rarely need to use the word mono or pez during our regular day!

What changes have you seen in your children since starting to use Homeschool Languages?

Although I don’t feel like we are as far along on our bilingual journey as I’d like to be, the exposure to the language has sparked curiosity in all of my kids. My four-year-old is constantly asking, “What’s the Spanish word for…?” So much so that during dinner he asked, “How do you say ‘taco’ in Spanish?” That one was an easy one for sure!

Have there been any small “this is working!” moments that have stood out to you?

My husband often tells the kids, “If you can ask for it in Spanish, then yes.” Now my older children are starting to take full advantage of that and are finding new ways to ask for all kinds of things.

Has using the curriculum changed your own relationship with language learning or teaching in any way?

It’s been a great reminder that using real-life conversational words is what makes the most sense when learning a second language. Words and phrases I’ll actually say throughout the day are so much more meaningful than random flashcard lists or workbook exercises that don’t really bring the language to life.

What would you say to another mom who feels intimidated about teaching a foreign language at home?

No matter what curriculum you choose, I would start by making a list of topics and phrases you use every single day in your home. You’re going to say them anyway, and the more opportunities you have to practice them, the more natural it will start to feel.

If you had to describe Homeschool Languages in one sentence to a friend, what would you say?

Usually, I tell people it’s kind of like The Good and the Beautiful, but for Spanish. It’s pretty, organized, and created by moms for moms who share the same goal. And it starts with the basics, with the words you’ll actually use.

Ready to get started on your own language journey? Explore Homeschool Languages curricula here!