Learning Tips
How to Build Confidence When Speaking Spanish
Overcome speaking anxiety with these proven strategies that help you practice without fear of making mistakes.
Mar 5, 2026
5 min read
NEWEST YouTube Series
NEWEST SERIES
Building Confidence Through Output Series
Hola Tribu. When your child goes quiet — when you ask a question in Spanish and they answer in English, or they don't answer at all — what do you feel? Most of us feel doubt. But that silence is not a problem. It is a stage.
This 3-part series gives you a simple framework to move through it — without pressure, without correction, without forcing anything. The S.A.Y. Method: Show it first. Ask with support. You model the correct form. Three steps. Any mealtime. Any day.
Part 1: What's getting in the way · Part 2: The S.A.Y. Method · Part 3: The small habits that compound. Watch the full series on YouTube + get the free S.A.Y. Starter Kit.
May 2026
Ongoing Series
Emotional Literacy
THREE-PART SERIES
Emotional Moments: The Heart of Language Learning
Soy una mamá. Have you ever thought about why it's easier to pray in one language more than another? To count in one language? To express your deepest emotions in one language rather than another?
The deeper the gap between how you can fully express yourself in both languages — that's where we need to dig in and explore our routines. This series explores the connection between emotional literacy and language literacy, making sure that as you build language routines, you're addressing every part of who you are.
A three-part journey into emotional expression across two languages. Follow along on YouTube + read deeper reflections on Substack.
April 2026
3-Part Series
Latest Articles
Homeschool
Why Homeschool Families Choose Spanish Immersion
Learn how homeschool co-ops are incorporating Spanish into their curriculum and seeing amazing results.
Mar 1, 2026
6 min read
Part 2
The S.A.Y. Method: 3 Steps to Bilingual Output
S — Show it first. A — Ask with support. Y — You model the correct form. Three steps, any mealtime, any day. Model, prompt, echo, celebrate.
Culture
The Beautiful Diversity of Spanish Across Latin America
Spanish isn't one language — it's a tapestry of voices spanning 21 countries in Latin America alone. From the soft, melodic cadence of Colombian Spanish to the rapid-fire rhythm of the Dominican Republic and the distinctive voseo of Argentina, each region carries its own music, its own vocabulary, and its own soul. For learners, this diversity isn't a challenge to fear — it's an invitation. Here's why exposing your family to multiple Spanish accents builds flexibility, deepens cultural understanding, and prepares your child for real-world communication far beyond the textbook.
Feb 20, 2026
4 min read
Substack
Lisa Renea Shaw on Substack: Deep Dives into Bilingual Living
Honest reflections, research-backed strategies, and the real story behind raising bilingual kids. Subscribe for weekly essays on language, culture, and family life.
Instagram
Follow @myothertongue on Instagram: Daily Bilingual Inspiration
Daily tips, behind-the-scenes peeks, reels, and community stories from our language learning journey. Tag us in your Spanish practice moments!
Facebook
Join Our Community on Facebook: My Other Tongue Virtual
Connect with fellow language learners, share wins, ask questions, and stay updated on new videos, courses, and live events. A warm, supportive space for bilingual families and learners.
Learning Tips
Native Speaker vs. Non-Native Teacher: Which is Better?
It's one of the most debated questions in language education: should you learn from a native speaker or a non-native teacher? The truth is, both bring irreplaceable gifts to the table. Native speakers offer authentic pronunciation, cultural intuition, and the lived experience of the language. Non-native teachers bring the empathy of someone who has walked the same path — they know the common mistakes, the grammar pitfalls, and the strategies that actually work because they've used them. Here's why the best approach isn't choosing one over the other — it's understanding what each one gives your family and when.
Feb 10, 2026
5 min read