OUR STORY

Hi, I’m Cindy! The creator of Homeschool Languages.

And if you’ve ever dreamed of raising bilingual kids but felt like you were winging it,

...you’re in the right place.

I had the resources. I had the motivation. And I was fluent! (Well, fluent enough... )

But even with everything at my fingertips, I still found myself stuck. I could study Spanish, but making it a natural part of my home? That felt impossible.. I didn’t marry into a Spanish-speaking family (not like that's an automatic fix either, haha!).

And despite all my best intentions, my first attempts at speaking the Spanish I knew with my kids were, well... a disaster. My toddler ignored me. My preschooler thought I was making up words. And I was left wondering why this felt so impossible.

And the worst part? It felt like all the pressure was on me. The apps, the books, the lessons—they were great for learning, but they didn’t show me how to connect that learning to real conversations with my kids. It felt like I was failing.

I JUST wanted my kids to speak with me!

No workbook, Spanish toy kits, "bilingual" coloring pages, app, phrase lists, or language arts curriculum was going to do it for me. I couldn't outsource it, I just had to do it. But like we saw...

Motivation wasn't the issue... I needed a PLAN.

I started backwards, and asked myself "What conversations are the most frequent in my home? What do I WANT them to say?"

(Not farm animals, that was for sure.)

There was a huge gap in the market for not just teaching kids a new language, but guiding the parent at the same time to incorporate it in the home.

Yes, I had experience teaching kids (I spent years teaching in various settings- classrooms, tutoring, charter schools, and in home classes!). But what really helped me was my background in theater and dance choreography, ironically. In improvisation, if you don't get your objective the first time, you have to be clever in changing your tactic. I basically chose to choreograph this storyline curriculum to get to our objective, and sneakily teaching through fun was my forté!

SO I spent late nights writing out exactly what I’d say the next day, scripting out conversations so I didn't have to remember what I had planned in the few precious moments I had to teach while the baby slept. Then the next day, my sweet son was the guinea pig- what worked stayed in the text, what didn't was quickly revised.

...Like the puppet! My son wouldn't respond to me because, duh, why exert himself when he knows I speak English? I told him: "Well, this new puppet DOESN'T speak English, we'll have to learn his words to talk to him!" ...Worked like a charm.

I figured out how to make Spanish feel fun and natural for the both of us... through play, through confidence-building moments, through sneaky little tricks that got my kids to actually reply.

But I wasn’t the only one who saw the need for this.

As I refined what worked within my own home, I reached out to friends who spoke other languages—just to see if they’d want to help to at least have something like this for their own kids. What I didn’t realize? They were masters of curriculum development, experts in teaching languages to elementary students, and university-level language educators. WHAT!

Together, we saw what had been missing in this space. We got the team together, pulled our knowledge, experience, and passion together to create something truly different—something that didn’t just teach a language, but made it a living, breathing part of a family’s home.

And you know what? IT WORKED.

What started as a desperate mom scribbling notes when she got a moment, feeling guilty each day that passed without Spanish in the home, turned into Homeschool Languages—a step-by-step system that takes the guesswork out of raising bilingual kids, even if you’re still learning the language yourself.

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Since launching, we’ve helped thousands of families start real conversations at home, filling the gap between wanting to raise bilingual kids and actually knowing how.

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<---- (check out ​a video of us testing the "restaurant game" from Unit 1!)

​So if you’ve ever thought:

💭 I've tried, but there's just too much English around us.

💭 I can do it... I just can't seem to stay consistent with my plan to immerse them!

💭 I feel like an imposter... I don't even know the language!

Take a deep breath, because you’re in the right place.

We take your hand, we guide you through, and we make this fun, doable, and real. You don’t need to be perfect.

You just need to start.

Now you have a team behind you here cheering you on :)​​

(that's me and "Mr. B", the first HSL student that inspired all of this to begin!) ----->

Your Friend, Cindy O 💛

FOUNDER OF HOMESCHOOL LANGUAGES

(But least cool of the entire team- you'll see what I mean when you meet them!!)

Greetings and Basic Conversation

  • Say hello and goodbye at different times of the day
  • Respond with “yes” or “no”
  • Ask and answer, “How are you?”
  • Share how they’re feeling, including hungry and thirsty
  • Politely request things and express gratitude (please, thank you, you’re welcome)
  • Clearly express wants and feelings
  • Ask “how many?” and respond appropriately
  • “Ordering” food (saying what they want and how much)

Greetings and Basic Conversation

  • Say and understand clothing items
  • Follow simple daily commands
  • Ask and answer “Where are you going?”, different locations, and express wanting to come along
  • Clearly express and understand needs and tasks that need to be done
  • Ask for and provide locations of objects

Home and Basic Grammar

  • Name common household items
  • Understand and use family-friendly verbs (“I want, I need, I have, I must”)
  • Conjugate for I/You/We and use gerunds (-ing verbs)
  • Identify common uses of the verb “to do”
  • Understand simple instructions involving order and sequence

Mealtime Conversations

  • Ask for and pass food items politely
  • Name meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert)
  • Set the table and name utensils and dishes
  • Use phrases to express preferences and routines (“It’s time to eat,” “It’s time to go,” etc.)
  • Begin recognizing different ways to express actions and activities

Building Confidence and Clarity

By the end of Level 1, your student will be able to communicate clearly, politely, and confidently in everyday situations, building a strong foundation for continued language growth.

(And that’s just the language, keep scrolling to see the culture that is intertwined throughout as well for well-rounded learning!)

Building a Connection

By engaging with culture, your student won’t just learn Spanish—they’ll build meaningful connections and an enduring appreciation for the rich diversity of the Spanish-speaking world.

Spanish Cultural Highlights

  • South American Flags: Discover the vibrant flags representing diverse South American countries.
  • Bullfighting in Spain: Learn about this historic yet controversial Spanish tradition.
  • Machu Picchu: Explore Peru’s famous ancient city and its fascinating history.
  • Peruvian Cuisine: Enjoy making the traditional dish “Ají de Gallina.”
  • Las Meninas: Dive into one of Spain’s most famous paintings by Diego Velázquez.
  • Salsa Music & Dance: Experience the rhythm and energy of salsa music and dancing.
  • Don Quixote: Meet the beloved character from Spanish literature and his adventures.
  • Frida Kahlo: Learn about the life and art of Mexico’s iconic painter.
  • Iguazú Falls: Marvel at the stunning waterfalls located between Argentina and Brazil.
  • Famous Sites: Get glimpses of Cancún, Chichen Itza, and the Amazon Rainforest.
  • Spanish Siesta: Understand the cultural importance of rest in Spain’s daily life.
  • Camino de Santiago: Learn about this historic pilgrimage route through northern Spain.
  • Lucha Libre: Discover Mexico’s vibrant wrestling tradition.
  • Yipao Colombian Jeep Parade: Experience this festive parade celebrating Colombian rural life.
  • Arroz con Leche: Enjoy the beloved song and learn to make this traditional dessert.
  • Chilean “Once”: Explore this unique Chilean tea-time tradition.
  • Spanish Humor: Laugh along with jokes and humorous expressions unique to Spanish culture.
  • Tomatina Festival: Experience Spain’s famous tomato-throwing festival!

Culture at Homeschool Languages

At Homeschool Languages, our primary goal is to help your student become confident and capable in a new language. But we believe language truly comes alive when connected to culture—understanding the people, traditions, and histories behind the words creates affection and deepens learning.

Each language curriculum offers the same number of cultural experiences, uniquely tailored to the language and culture studied. Below is an exciting glimpse of what your student will explore in our Spanish level 1 curriculum: