Customer Reviews

Way-Cool Spanish Phrase Book : The Spanish That Kids Really Speak

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I stumbled across this book this summer and plan to use it in my 7th & 8th grade beginning Spanish classes during the year. The title page states that it's the Spanish that kids really speak and I agree. The book is set up simply with illustrations that appeal to middle level learners and includes pronunciation examples that are easy to use. (The biggest fear in my students is pronouncing something wrong.) The categories and phrases are of great interest to the age group the book is targeted to. It's a fun book for any age group and I will be using it as a supplement to my regular classroom materials. Teachers - check this out!

My middle school students bought this at our school book fair and we sold out twice. My students bring this book to the first day of Spanish class and every day after that even if we don't use it. It gets passed around from student to student as they pour over vocabulary that interests them. They practice it on their own! If you want something that authentically engages young learners, this is it!

While this is a very funny book, it is really NOT appropriate for young children. In addition to having a section devoted to rude comments, such as how to call someone "an idiot" in Spanish, it is also not always very accurate in its translations and information provided. It would also perhaps be a better learning tool if the authors had made a note as to which countries particular slang phrases are used. I saw some phrases that are only used in Mexico, some that are only used in Costa Rica, etc., but there is no way for the book's intended audience to know that. As both a teacher and a native Spanish speaker (Spaniard raised in Latin America), I would strongly recommend against using this book in a classroom setting.

The best thing is the phonetic spelling listed with each phrase or word. No grammar, no real in-depth Spanish rules or anything like that, but enough on each topic to actually give students a chance to communicate when they can't think of what to say! My High school students down to my 8 year olds all have enjoyed this book in and out of class.

There's no place to write in it or do any work, which is again pleasing to the student - it's portrayed as "Don't let the adults catch you reading this!" which seems to encourage the students to read it, but I don't know if everyone would approve of that message...

Of course, there will always be regionalisms, so it won't EXACTLY match the "street Spanish" you hear necessarily, but it's a great place to start!

Cute little illustrations as well. For a younger child, and something you'd like to be able to write in, try Flip Flop Spanish, which comes with a CD!

I love the layout and tone of this phrasebook, which seems right on for kids today. It's perky, contemporary, and easy and fun to flip through. Also, the author is right on target as far as informal everyday Spanish is concerned. The phrases here would put any kid that wants to communicate with Spanish-speaking kids in good stead. A useful, spunky little phrasebook.

This little book will appeal to kids because of the way-cool art and choices of phrases, and it is one of the BEST pronunciation guides i've ever encountered. So often it's almost impossible to understand how to properly say Spanish words, but with this book, if you can read it, you can say it.

but be warned that one of the so-called popular phrases it teaches is "stupid idiot". Sigh.....