Will my child lose our home language, and what helps?

Key rules

• Home language: Speak the language you know best at home, and let Spanish come from school.
• Spanish: A strong home language supports Spanish and does not hold it back.
• Mixing: Mixing languages is normal; answer in the home language without punishing it.
• Heritage programmes: Availability depends on the school and region, so ask the school and the regional education department.

How real is the risk?

The risk is real. Children who start Spanish school young, under about 6–8, are most exposed. Within one or two generations, families often shift to the majority language.

The usual pattern is that children understand the home language but speak it less. They often can't read or write it well.

Your child is more at risk if:

• siblings speak Spanish to each other
• there is little exposure to the language at home
• few people around speak it, or nobody reads and writes it
• the language has little prestige locally

Your child is less at risk if:

• they arrived older and already read and write
• your family uses the language consistently
• they have visits and contact with relatives
• they attend community classes

Will it hold back their Spanish?

No. Strong home-language skills generally support learning Spanish. Your child gets plenty of Spanish at school, so you don't need to add more at home.

What works at home

• Speak the language you know best. Speaking imperfect Spanish at home lowers the quality and amount of language your child hears. Keep the home language dominant. You can still read Spanish books together.
• Choose a clear policy. Two common ones are "one parent, one language" (each parent speaks a different language) and "minority language at home".
• Don't worry about mixing. Mixing languages is normal and not harmful. When your child speaks Spanish to you, answer in the home language, and don't punish the mixing.
• Read aloud every day. Encourage reading and writing in the home language too.
• Keep in touch with relatives. Regular video calls and visits help.
• Find other speakers. Arrange playdates with them.
• Offer media. Books, shows, music and games in the language all count.
• Give the language a real purpose. Use it for family traditions, letters and trips.
• Keep going through the teens. Pushback is common in adolescence.

Community and weekend schools

Weekend and community schools exist, mostly in big cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Málaga and Alicante, and on the coasts. Examples include Russian, Chinese, Ukrainian, Romanian and Polish Saturday schools, Arabic classes run by mosques or associations, and German, Italian, French and British language schools.

To find one, ask:

• your embassy or consulate
• your country's cultural institute
• local immigrant associations
• your child's school parents' association (AMPA)
• expat groups online
• your town hall's immigration or intercultural services

Offerings and fees vary, so check with the organisers.

Heritage programmes in state schools

Some public schools host classes in a child's heritage language. Examples:

• Arabic and Moroccan culture, taught by Moroccan teachers in some primary schools
• Portuguese language and culture, as extracurricular classes
• Romanian language and culture

Some regions also have programmes for languages such as Chinese and Polish, run by those countries. There is no national list, so ask your child's school or your regional education department what is running.

These programmes are generally for children of the origin country who attend a school that hosts the programme, mostly in primary. Classes are usually after school and free or low-cost. Schools often need a minimum number of pupils. Enrolment is usually through the school at registration or at the start of the year, with your consent. Confirm the details with the school, the regional education department and your embassy or consulate.

What to do first

Decide on your home-language policy now, before school starts. Then look for a weekend class or programme near you. The quick answers below cover other common questions.

Quick answers on home language and extra help

Which language should I speak with my child at home?

Speak the language you know best and feel most natural in, which is usually your home language. Switching to imperfect Spanish at home lowers the quality and amount of language your child hears, and it does not help at school, where they get plenty of Spanish. Mixing languages is normal and not harmful, and you can add Spanish by reading Spanish books together.

Are there weekend schools for my home language in Spain?

Yes, weekend and community schools exist, mostly in big cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Málaga and Alicante, and on the coasts. Try your embassy or consulate, your language's cultural institute, local immigrant associations, the school's parents' association (AMPA) or the town hall's immigration or intercultural service. Offerings and fees vary, so ask the organisers.

Is a summer Spanish course worth it before the first term?

Yes, a summer course is usually worth it if your child arrives with little or no Spanish, especially at ages 6 to 14. It builds basic vocabulary, classroom phrases and confidence, and works best when it is intensive, daily and conversational. It is less useful if your child already has a basic level, or if the cost or stress would crowd out rest.

When is the best time to hire a tutor after we arrive?

The best time is from the first weeks after arrival, ideally before or at the start of term, with two to three sessions a week. If the school offers reception or language-support classes, you can wait a few weeks to see what it provides first. Review the tutor after the first evaluation period, around December.