Language Mindset
Want your kiddo to speak another language? Join the community of 8-12year olds learning a new language through stories with Salt, Pepper and Sunny!
Espresso Break – Italian for Adults (Just for You!)
Ciao, Reader, Okay, adults—this one’s for YOU! You know I’m all about helping kids become fluent speakers, but today, it’s all about you. So many of you have asked about Italian for adults, and I knew I had to share Espresso Break, a special course with my friend Irene. For 10 weeks, her expert Italian teachers will help you improve your Italian—all from the comfort of home. You’ll be learning alongside fellow students from the U.S. and the U.K. (Irene is based in London—she married an...
I'm not ashamed to admit...
I help kids learn Spanish, and I'm not ashamed to admit, Reader.... I failed Spanish in school. Yep, I had to go to summer school just to pass. And now? I’ve built an entire language school to help kids become confident, fluent speakers! Sounds crazy, right? But here’s the thing—learning a language isn’t about perfection. It’s about keeping the conversation going, even when you make mistakes. It’s about having fun and building confidence. That’s exactly how we help kids do in our classes....
how different it would be if...
The Biggest Myth About Language Learning—Can You Guess It, Reader One of the biggest myths about language learning is that kids can’t become fluent. Why do so many kids believe this? Because after years of memorizing vocabulary lists, filling in worksheets, and studying for tests, they still can’t hold a real conversation. Traditional language classes focus on grammar drills and multiple-choice answers, but they don’t teach kids how to actually use the language in real life. What’s missing?...
This 11-Year-Old Made a Deal to Go to Paris… 🇫🇷
Bonjour, Reader!! Shall we talk about French? First, let’s give a huge shoutout to Henry—one of our incredible 11-year-old students. This kid is not only a Lego master but also hilarious! His parents made him the ultimate deal: if he learns French, they’ll take him to Paris when he turns 13. Talk about top-tier parenting! Forget bribing kids with candy—these folks are handing out trips to France! Henry started with us 10 months ago knowing zero French. Zip. Zilch. Nada. Fast forward to...
honestly, your kiddo is ahead of the game
When you’re an outside-the-box thinker, Readerit can feel… well, a little scary! I followed the “right” path—went to college, got a degree, earned a master’s in education, studied abroad, and taught in both private and public schools. But I’ve always thought differently. My goal for language learning—and for every student at Language Mindset—is simple: to SPEAK another language. Because once that happens, the world literally starts to open up. So, in the subject line, I wrote: “Honestly,...
We’re Gathering Families! Is Yours In?
It's snowing Reader!!! Like big flakes of snow. If you're new here, I live in upstate New York where we enjoy 4 beautiful seasons. But that's not the reason I'm writing you. Today, in a French conversation group I’m part of, I was sharing why I love languages. And the truth is—it’s because I love people. Sure, there are countless benefits to learning another language, but for me, it all comes down to human connection. This spring, I’ll be visiting some Persian friends. Since I care for them...
How Many Words Does Fluency Really Take?
Happy Sunday Reader, I want to share something personal with you. Even though I’ve spent years mastering Spanish, Italian, and French, there are moments when I hesitate to call myself “fluent.” It’s easy to assume fluency means knowing everything—but it doesn’t. Fluency is about communicating confidently, even if there are gaps along the way. Did you know fluency can actually be measured? There’s a set number of words needed for basic conversation fluency—do you have a guess? I’ve created a...
Overwhelmed? Let’s Make Language Learning Simple!
Does this sound like you, Reader? You want your kiddo to learn a new language, but you don’t know where to start. Life is busy, and adding something new feels overwhelming. Maybe you don’t know the language yourself and feel a little silly trying to teach it. Or you’ve tried classes before but couldn’t stick with them. You’re ready for a solid routine that works—and I’m here to help! With our Short Story Bundle, you’ll have everything you need to make language learning easy, fun, and...
As a former classroom teacher
Reader I've been reflecting on how languages are taught and valued in the USA...got a second? As a former classroom teacher and certified educator, it’s so refreshing to see kids excel with our story-based methodology! Why wait until middle school to start a language? Most kids don’t even begin until 7th grade, rushing to hit benchmarks without enjoying the journey. I honestly felt bad about all of the grammar points kiddos had to memorize to do well; it's a lot. Elementary-age kids are...
Realistic Expectations...
When it comes to learning a new language, especially Spanish, setting realistic expectations is crucial for your child's success. For a 10-year-old, it’s not realistic to expect them to master every grammar rule or remember every detail from each chapter right away. What truly matters is their comfort level with the language,Reader their willingness to participate, and, most importantly, how confident they feel in speaking and answering questions. I often find myself wondering if my classes...
Want your kiddo to speak another language? Join the community of 8-12year olds learning a new language through stories with Salt, Pepper and Sunny!