Recommendations start at #1 below!

The summer is the perfect time to relax, go on vacation, tackle that to-do list, and to enrich or further cultivate the language you so love and teach. This post is geared toward non-native speakers of a target language, who desire to push the boundaries of their language skills (native speakers are welcome as well!), but may have come up short on ideas. Let me help you!

Watching series particular to your target language is a must do. I can honestly say that perfecting my language skills came mostly from the content I consumed. The reason why audiovisual learning is so powerful is because, similarly to reading, you internalize so many different vocabulary expressions naturally.  I would watch shows and later say something I heard without even “thinking” about it. And Netflix, as of recent, has been the leader in international content. There is no shortage of programming there. 

Although, this post focuses on other ways to enrich your language, I will, however, make some Spanish and French series recommendations;  I totally vouch for these series! 

Good Morning, Veronica, is another great series (very dark). It’s in Portuguese. 

Spanish-language Recommendations 

French-Language Series Recommendations

When I watch the French shows, I normally put both the audio and subtitles in Spanish.

Another idea, is to switch the audio to your TL on a series you are watching in English. You don’t have to do this for EVERY EPISODE; try it with a few.

For example, if you are watching a limited series with 6 episodes, put 2-3 of those episodes in your target language. This way, you’ve built up enough knowledge from the previous episodes and will start to make connections in the TL.

Let’s get on to other ideas that work!

Language Enrichment Ideas

1. Watch Youtube videos on topics of which you are both familiar and interested.

As a language teacher, I always get asked “What’s the best way to learn Spanish? I have heard testimonies about how people have been “learning” a language for decades only to be able to muster up a few words. They usually say, “I took Spanish all 4 years in high school, and all I can say now is, ‘Dónde está el baño.’ That feels like a waste of everyone’s time!

However, instead of wallowing in pity with them, I try to throw them a ladder down to their abismal pit. My advice is always the same: Start with what you know and love.

Think about it, if you love knitting, find a few videos on knitting in your target language. Chances are that you’re already familiarized with the jargon. You’ll end up combining two loves: that of your hobby and your target language.  You’re basically, “matando dos pájaros con un solo tiro.”

It’s no secret that I have been eagerly trying to hone my own writing, hence the catalogue CI novels that I have written. Using the same method I am recommending, I started to view videos in writing in Spanish. I gleaned new  insights, and have been introduced to other Indie writers in the target language.  I look for videos with titles like the one below because they’re interesting and compelling and tie right into one of my favorite intellectual pursuits: writing.

I checked out different writers and have since learned several new techniques for outlining or “Esquematizando” my stories; I have also added new jargon to my writing lexicon in Spanish. When I speak with other authors, my brain makes sure these words slip into the conversation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2Vyxaa2rnE&t=1s

2. Subscribe and/or Read Magazines in the Target Language

I love reading magazines! And I have a bunch that I have acquired as I travel to Spanish-speaking countries. I stock up, and then read them throughout the year.

Now, if you are not planning to travel anytime soon, and you don’t have any outlets near you that sell these zines , there are plenty of resources online. You can buy magazines by issue as there is no need for a lengthy subscription. Here are a few of the ones I enjoy:

Diez minutos (gossip)

Saber vivir (health)

Cuerpo y mente (health)

Revista Étnica (Puerto Rico/Afro)

AfroFéminas (Spain/Afro)

Even subscribing to their newsletter (if you want to save even more money) can provide some compelling content to keep your TL in tip top shape.

3. Read a book (or two) in the Target Language

This may be an obvious step, but recently, I discovered the plethora of Kindle books written in Spanish. Now, when I have little time, but want to keep my lexicon afresh, I look for short books on topics with which that I am familiar such as “la Dieta Antiinflamatoria” or “El minimalismo” or even “La neuroplasticidad.” However, I am also a fan of fiction and I’ve come to appreciate the prose of several new authors. For instance, I adore the author Paola Calasanz. Her novels are relatively easy to follow. Most of her stories are written in the present tense, and contain complicated romances.

You can see books I’ve read and recommended in the past in Spanish listed on the post: Free Voluntary Reading for Adults in the Target Language.

Below are the books I’ve finished recently.

If you’re looking for something a bit more basic, but engaging enough to hold your attention as an adult, I present these following novels that have been hits with upper-level students and adults:

4. Find Opportunities to Speak the Language

Make the extra effort to speak the language during the summer months, even if you speak the language at home. Although I speak the language very regularly, I go out of my way to experience the language in new ways.

Join a Book Club

I joined a book club where we only read Spanish books. Those books are listed on this post as well. We read one book a month and then met up to discuss it. 

A few years ago, I found a Spanish tutor on Meetup.com, and we’d meet to discuss politics and other subjects in Spanish. Although they did not think that I needed ” a tutor” I thought it was a good way to keep my mind sharp, staying the language with someone other than my immediate family.

Phone a friend

I have a few friends from the language community who I also talk to in primarily in Spanish. We leave each other messages via Whatsapp, and have been doing it for years. Find a partner, it does not have to be a native speaker, and commit to 1-2 voicemails a week or a conversation for that matter.

Need an extra boost? Fluency Fast offers Spanish classes all year long. Check out the website here!

5. Listen to a podcast in your target language!

Listen to a simple and short podcast (I recommend between 15-20 minutes) at a time. You can listen as many times as you need. I re-listen as I would in English if it compelling and there is a concept I want to retain. This has by far been my favorite language boosting activity. Below are the podcasts I enjoy to on the weekly basis (one podcast a week). My favorite one is “No hay negros en Tibet.” My second favorite is “De piel a la cabeza.” They have very compelling topics, but they speak very fast! I had to listen for a few months until I could listen throughly without without having to rewind. They are super funny as well.

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Comprehensible Novels for the Classroom

“Kick back and let acquisition do its work!”

Discover the perfect novel for any classroom with our extensive library, tailored for every level and interest. Each book comes with proven teaching materials designed to captivate students through engaging storylines, language use, authentic expressions, and essential grammar structures. Empower your teaching and keep your focus where it matters most: on your students’ learning!

 I am currently a Spanish Teacher in Chicago, IL.  I have 20 years of cumulative experience as an International Baccalaureate middle school teacher, high school teacher, and adjunct instructor. I hold a Master’s in Latin American

Literature and Cultures coupled with a Master’s in Educational Leadership. These dual degrees have afforded me a vantage point from both ends of the educational spectrum: instruction and evaluation.  I have been sharing my unique perspective on pedagogy and language acquisition for over ten years at national, regional and state conferences. I am also an accomplished author! I have  authored several compelling comprehensible novels that allow students to solidify their language skills while experiencing a wide range of different cultures. Check out my resources below. Thanks for stopping by!

I highly recommend checking out this book—your students will relish the stories!

Discover the perfect novel for any classroom with our extensive library, tailored for every level and interest. Each book comes with proven teaching materials designed to captivate students through engaging storylines, language use, authentic expressions, and essential grammar structures. Empower your teaching and keep your focus where it matters most: on your students’ learning!

Novels and Resources by A.C. Quintero

                        A.C. Quintero Literary Partners!

Brycehedsrom.com

Command Performance Language Institute

Wayside Publishing

Teacher’s Discovery

The CI Bookshop (Europe)

Teaching Spanish Made Easy (TPT) Catalog

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