TOS REVIEW: REAL Homeschool Spanish

Spanish- it’s a language that is fast becoming a first language in many homes in the United States- and around the world, really. It was my first choice of languages in high school {for myself} and the first I wanted my kids to learn. But which curriculum to choose? I actually didn’t…couldn’t find one that was agreeable to me. With no idea how to teach it {although I’d been taught it}, I left it out.

The TOS Homeschool Review Crew chose our family to receive the R.E.A.L Homeschool Spanish curriculum in exchange for an honest review. This program is designed with the homeschooling family in mind and it is multi-age adaptable. See more TOS Homeschool Crew reviews here.

I am going to be upfront with my readers- my computer succumbed to a virus not long after we received this product as a download, therefore we were not able to use it as thoroughly as I would have liked (my files were all gone!). Nevertheless, I do feel that I can give decent review mixed with personal experience. Bear with me? Then let’s move along

The curriculum comes with Book, Activity Book, Audio Files, and Answer Book for $49.95 (download) or $89.95 (hardcopy). There is also the option to purchase the bundle (the afore mentioned) with the Daily Curriculum Guide for $59.95 (download) or $99.95 (hardcopy). The Daily Curriculum Guide can be purchased separately for $9.95 (download only). Those prices all include free shipping as well. See the website for all details.

Right after receiving the download, I immediately read as much of the curriculum as I could. A foreign language is sometimes difficult and working with a curriculum that one is not familiar with makes the task doubly difficult! {For the downloaded purchase} I think it would be best to print out much of the beginning of this curriculum if you are anything like me- need to have it in black and white. I do have at least two ‘years’ of Spanish to my credit but I was needing to learn right along side my kids so I had to know how to best use this. I would have loved to have the hardcopy version.

Here is the ‘pattern’ for learning set out as a suggestion in the book:

1. Plan which vocabulary you will study and how you will present it using the Tips to the Home Educator section for each unit. Use the Audio if you need it.
2. Present the new vocabulary and have you and your child become familiar with the new words and sentences in the Vocabulary section.
3. Use the IDEA section to come up with fun and interesting activities to continue using the language throughout the day/week. Have your child listen to the Audio to reinforce his/her listening and pronunciation skills.
4. Practice writing the language with the ACTIVITY BOOK.
5. Set aside some time for CULTURE learning with the FREE CULTURE LINKS section found on our website: www.realhomeschoolspanish.com
6. Above all... Relax, Enjoy, Aspire and Learn Spanish!!! (R.E.A.L. Learning!)

If you would like to see samples of the curriculum, click here.

The idea behind this curriculum is to have fun with it and use it! It isn’t enough to just fill out worksheets and recite vocabulary words. Conversations are a great way to get it embedded in your mind. Another point is that the creator of this curriculum understands that it will be necessary to adapt it to each family- their learning styles, the different ages, etc.- one reason {I’m sure} so many different ideas and activities are suggested.

Included are 10 Units- each between 1 and 4 sections- that cover vocabulary, grammar, and include tips, ideas, audio and activities. There are links at the website for free culture extras to help make it more interesting, fun and applicable {more personable?}.

Some things I would love to see in the download version:

• Clickable audio files- click them and automatically get your audio file {I’m sure this would require more work for the publisher but it’d be so helpful!}
• Clickable links for culture- same as above. Whether it is a video or audio, it would be wonderful to have it all in ‘one place’.
• Less ‘books’. It seems there is a ‘book’ for all parts of the curriculum. It would be nice to have it more in one place. It seemed that it took me a while to get it ‘planned out’ for each lesson. {Was it just me? It could very well have been!}

What did I like about it?

The ‘feel’ of it- and it’s conversational approach. The audio files and activities. I have two very different kids {don’t we all?}; one likes worksheets; one despises them. One catches onto concepts {and languages!} quickly; the other not so quickly {lack of interest plays a large part in that}. Where I’m going with this- both of my kids liked the worksheets and the activity suggestions. At first I thought some would be ‘too young’ for my 12 and 15 y.o.s but we had a good time so I know it was good {the vocabulary has even been used when not doing school}.

And, very quick and friendly customer service! Dr. Williamson-Coria was quick to help and replied to my emails when I needed to contact her. She does say, many times in the book that if there is any questions or if you need help, email her- she’s there! Questions are directed to support@realhomeschoolspanish.com

Bottom Line:
I think this is a decent Spanish program. It has a solid foundation, includes many good features and may be the program you are looking for. It is more fun than other programs that I have investigated. I have no reservations about referring homeschoolers to this curriculum.

Don’t forget to see read other reviews of this curriculum at the TOS Homeschool Crew blog.

***Disclaimer: I received the download version of R.E.A.L Homeschool Spanish via the TOS Homeschool Review Crew in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given and all opinions stated are my own. See Disclosure/Policies.***