At The Hill School, language learning begins early! From our youngest Hedgehogs in the Infant Program through 6th grade, students are introduced to Spanish through age-appropriate, interactive experiences that grow alongside them throughout their years at THS.
We believe young children are natural language learners. Early exposure gives students an opportunity to hear unfamiliar sounds, recognize patterns, build vocabulary, and develop confidence with another language in a fun and comfortable environment.
Spanish for Our Youngest Hedgehogs
For infants and toddlers, Spanish is all about exposure, repetition, music, movement, and play. Students begin hearing and recognizing simple Spanish words through songs, greetings, counting, colors, animals, body parts, familiar objects, and everyday classroom experiences.
As children move into preschool, lessons become increasingly interactive. Students practice vocabulary through songs, games, stories, movement, pictures, hands-on activities, and simple conversations that make learning another language feel natural and exciting.
Our goal at this age isn’t memorization or worksheets—it’s helping children develop an ear for the language and a positive connection with learning it.
💚 Spanish in Elementary
As students progress through elementary school, their Spanish instruction builds upon those early experiences. Students expand their vocabulary and begin developing skills in speaking, listening, pronunciation, reading, writing, and conversational Spanish.
Lessons incorporate topics students can connect to their everyday lives, including greetings, numbers, colors, family, food, weather, animals, school, emotions, calendar vocabulary, common questions and responses, and practical conversational phrases.
Students also have opportunities to learn about Spanish-speaking countries, traditions, celebrations, geography, music, and culture, helping them understand that learning another language is also an opportunity to better understand and appreciate people around the world.
Through games, partner activities, music, conversation, movement, and hands-on learning, we want students to feel comfortable trying new words, making mistakes, speaking in front of others, and celebrating their progress.
Building Skills That Grow With Them
Our goal isn’t simply for students to memorize a list of Spanish words. We want to build a foundation that grows year after year and helps students become curious, confident communicators with an appreciation for languages and cultures beyond their own.
From a baby hearing their first Spanish song to a 6th grader confidently participating in a conversation, Spanish at THS is another way we encourage our students to communicate, connect, explore, and understand the world God created.
¡Aprendemos juntos! — We learn together! 🌎💚