We Teach Children Spanish From Their Earliest Years

Studies have shown that in order to achieve fluency learning a language from an early age is essential. Younger children are more likely than older children to be fearless at trying out a second language and this makes it easier for them to learn, pronounce words accurately and speak without translating. Research has demonstrated that the earlier and the more often you expose children to a foreign language, the more likely they will become truly fluent.

At Isabella & Ferdinand our goal is to teach Spanish from an early age in order to give children a critical leg up in learning a foreign language. From 12 months, children can learn Spanish from teachers who are all native speakers, fine-tuning their ears to what it means to speak the language correctly and absorbing critical vocabulary through songs and play-based activities.  

Our Teaching Methods Are Academically Sound & Effective

Isabella & Ferdinand’s curriculum is based on the linguistic standards of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) and the Instituto Cervantes in Madrid, two of the most respected authorities on teaching the Spanish language. We seek to ensure that children master correct pronunciation and verb tense usage, learn a broad set of vocabulary and become conversational as soon as possible. We teach children the best, most proper standard of Spanish, free of “Spanglish” or slang. Children are taught a universal Spanish – ensuring they will be understood as well in Madrid as in Mexico City. Furthermore, our original Isabella & Ferdinand Learning Gems™ teaching system incorporates best practices for teaching children of all learning styles foreign language, incorporating varied activities geared towards increasing comprehension and conversational ability. Children are taught the fundamentals of Spanish by qualified teachers who are all native-speakers of the language and are passionate about teaching children.

Our Unique, Cultural Curriculum Provides an Advantage

In addition to linguistic excellence, Isabella & Ferdinand focuses on cultural understanding.  Recent studies show that by learning a foreign language in a cultural context, children achieve fluency at a faster rate, gaining a more comprehensive array of vocabulary and oral expressions in that target language. By becoming “culturally fluent” as well as linguistically conversant, children gain a greater perspective of the Spanish-speaking world and eventually will be able to use their Spanish in a more comprehensive and effective way.

Through Isabella & Ferdinand’s CultureCentric Immersion™ curriculum children will learn about the most iconic authors, artists, music and traditions of Spain and Latin America, experiencing writers such as Miguel de Cervantes and Rafael Pombo, artists such as Pablo Picasso, Diego Rivera and Velázquez, and music such as flamenco, cumbia and samba in new and exciting ways.  In some classes, children will “meet” cultural heroes from the Spanish-speaking world and will also be able to role-play themselves, donning costumes and acting out their lessons in Spanish.  By learning Spanish in a rich cultural context, children not only leave our classes with a foundation in Ibero-American art, history, and culture (an element that is not often taught in schools), but more importantly they learn to express themselves in Spanish more accurately and more fully than many of their peers.

Extra-Curricular Activites

To enhance the classroom experience of its students, Isabella & Ferdinand actively collaborates with many arts and cultural organizations in the communities it serves, organizing special field trips  and other enrichment activities in Spanish.  Some of these organizations have included the cultural and educational departments of the Embassies of Spain and Latin America, GALA Hispanic Theatre, The Washington Ballet, the National Gallery of Art, the Spanish Department of Georgetown University, the Instituto Cervantes, the Coral Gables Museum, HistoryMiami Museum, the Lowe Museum, the Gary Nader Gallery, the de la Cruz Collection and others.