It can be tough to get young children interested in studying a new language. So it’s important to make learning fun. By creating interesting games with Spanish flashcards, kids won’t even realize they are studying.
The Carson Dellosa Everyday Words pack is fantastic for table-based games. Each card features a rounded corner that makes it easier to turn over and the pictures give a clear indication of the meaning of each word. However, if you want bilingual cards or larger cards, a different set might be best suited to your needs.
What to know before you buy Spanish flashcards for kids
Why are flashcards good teaching aids?
Versatility: You can utilize flashcards in a wide range of games, activities and drills to make language acquisition fun.
Eye Catching: Most flashcards contain bright lettering and colorful illustrations that are ideal for visual learners.
Inexpensive: When compared to other language learning tools, such as digital content and textbooks, flashcards offer a lot of bang for the buck.
Portable: Going on a long car journey, a flight or even a camping holiday? Flashcards are the perfect tool to throw in the bag and encourage kids to learn new vocabulary on the go.
Individual and group learning: Due to their multitude of uses, flashcards can be used by individual students or a whole class.
Types of Spanish flashcards
There are a variety of designs of Spanish flashcards, so it’s important to think about how you will use them before you make your purchase.
Some flashcards have pictures on one side and the corresponding vocabulary on the reverse. Others have both types of information on the same side. Some cards have English translations, whereas others rely solely on illustrations to convey their meaning.
If you have a Spanish speaker in the household, it could be fun to create your own using blank index flash cards.
European vs. Latin American Spanish
It’s important to note that there is not one universal Spanish language spoken across the world. In the U.S. Latin American Spanish is most commonly taught. Castilian Spanish is the name given to the official language of Spain itself. Both of these languages are mutually intelligible, but there are slight differences in vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation.
It’s best to find out which version of Spanish your child will learn at school, to avoid any confusion.
Spanish flashcard features
Topics
Flashcards are available on a variety of topics, such as numbers, shapes, colors and more. If you want your child to have in-depth knowledge of a particular topic, it’s best to opt for a set specific to that theme. However, to build a general basis for language learning, packs that cover a range of topics are ideal.
Bilingual flashcards
It’s important to note that not all Spanish flashcards include English translations. Some people prefer this, as it ensures the child is focusing on the Spanish vocabulary. However, some learners will benefit from bilingual flashcards.
Size
The majority of flashcards are a little larger than a standard deck of cards. This size is perfect for one to six children to study simultaneously. If you intend to use your flashcards in a classroom setting, it’s best to choose bigger cards, as they will be visible from further away.
Flashcards with a ring binder
Some packs of flashcards are bound with a ringbinder. These are ideal for keeping the cards together when not in use. Sets that have removable ring binders are best because you can take the cards off the ring to play games. As the cards have holes in them, they are perfect for hanging up in a classroom or nursery, too.
Spanish flashcard cost
A good-quality set of 80-100 flashcards will set you back roughly $6-$12. Packs with ring binders tend to be a little more expensive, but for the same amount of cards, you needn’t spend more than $20.
Spanish flashcards FAQ
How do I know the correct Spanish pronunciation?
A. If you don’t have a Spanish speaker in the household, knowing the correct pronunciation of new words can be difficult. In this case, it’s a good idea to choose flashcards with phonetic spelling aids.
How long does a set of flashcards usually last?
The lifespan of the cards you buy will mainly depend on their thickness and whether they are laminated. Thin paper cards are unlikely to last longer than a few play sessions. However, thick laminated cards often continue to look great long after a child has outgrown them.
Which Spanish flashcards should I get?
Best of the best Spanish flashcards
Carson Dellosa Everyday Words in Spanish: available at Amazon
Our take: A comprehensive set of cards for beginner Spanish speakers of any age.
What we like: The cards are a great size for playing games. Each card has one rounded corner, which makes it easier to pick up off of a flat table and helps to prevent the cards from becoming dog-eared.
What we dislike: They don’t offer any guidance on pronunciation.
Best bang for your buck Spanish flashcards
Flash Kids Editors Spanish Flashcards: available at Amazon
Our take: A fantastic set of cards for children ages five and above.
What we like: These cards cover an array of topics. The vocabulary is written in large letters on the front and back, and the illustrations are clear. Plus, the English translation is included in small lettering on each card.
What we dislike: Unfortunately, the Spanish word is written on both sides of the card. This makes it difficult to play some games.
Honorable mention Spanish flashcards
TREND Enterprises, Inc. Verbos: available at Amazon
Our take: These are excellent flashcards for little ones to learn common verbs in Spanish.
What we like: The set contains 93 verb cards, plus an activities card. On one side, each card displays the infinitive verb form and a corresponding picture. On the reverse, an example sentence shows how to conjugate the verb when talking about yourself.
What we dislike: There’s no English translation, so some kids might get confused.
Catherine Bushenis a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
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