In this episode, I sit down with Chris, director and founder of Ticolingo, a premier Spanish immersion school in Costa Rica, for a heartfelt conversation about language, culture, and what immersive learning can truly look like for teens and families.

This is not a sponsored episode. I invited Chris on the podcast because I have lived this experience as a parent, and what Ticolingo offers aligns deeply with my values around meaningful language learning, cultural connection, and confidence-building.

In This Episode, We Explore:

• What changes when children learn Spanish through real experiences, not just lessons.
• How culture and human connection help language feel natural and usable.
• Why immersion can be transformational.
• What parents often worry about, and what actually matters most in immersive programs.

Inside Ticolingo’s Teen Immersion Program

Chris shares the heart of Ticolingo’s Teen Immersion Program in Costa Rica and what sets it apart from traditional language camps or study abroad experiences.

Students:

• Live with carefully matched local host families.
• Walk to school daily with others in their neighborhood.
• Learn in small-group Spanish classes.
• Use Spanish in real-life settings through activities like scavenger hunts, cooking, volunteering, and language exchange with local teens.
• Experience Costa Rica through cultural excursions and nature-based adventures.
• Disconnect from constant phone use and reconnect with people, place, and purpose.

Parents receive daily photo updates and consistent communication throughout this amazing experience.

A Parent’s Perspective

I also share our family’s experience. Including the very real fears that come with sending a teen abroad, and the meaningful before-and-after transformation I saw in my son.

If you have ever wondered:

• Is it too late?
• What if my child never connected with Spanish before?
• Is immersion safe?
• Is Costa Rica safe?

This conversation was recorded with you in mind.

This episode goes beyond language learning.

It is also about:

• Raising globally curious, culturally aware teens.
• Supporting teens as they step into independence with confidence.
• Showing children that the world is bigger and more welcoming than they might imagine.
• Giving families permission to explore new paths, even if past approaches did not work.

Resources & Links

• Tico Lingo Website: https://www.ticolingo.com/
• Teen Immersion Program: https://www.ticolingo.com/teen-spanish-summer-camp/
• IG: @tico_lingo
• Chris Reidy: chris@ticolingo.com

If you are a parent with questions, my email is included. I am always happy to share from a parent-to-parent perspective. Jenny Corredor Varela: info@jencova.com

This episode is Part 2 of a heartfelt tribute to grandparents and the beautiful role they play in raising bilingual children.

In Part 1 (Episode 14), I shared personal stories, reflections, and the lasting legacy my dad created in our family. And today… we bring that love to life.

In this special episode, my dad and my youngest son read a bilingual book that’s close to our hearts:
“Todos Estamos Conectados / We Are All Connected” by Gabi Garcia.

This story gently reminds us that no matter how different we may seem, we are all deeply connected to one another, to nature, and to the world around us. It’s a message of empathy, belonging, and shared humanity.

Having my dad and my son read this story together was more than just recording an episode. It was a moment of joy, connection, and laughter.
A keepsake that we’ll treasure forever.

Un millón de gracias, Papi, por ser mi cómplice en esta idea.
Gracias por tu voz, tu tiempo, y tu amor.
Tu legado vive en nosotros.

📚 Book Info:

Todos Estamos Conectados / We Are All Connected
Written by: Gabi Garcia
Illustrated by: Natalia Jiménez Osorio
[🔗 Link to book – https://www.amazon.com/Connected-Estamos-Conectados-Bilingual-English/dp/1949633586]

🎧 Why This Episode Matters:

• It continues our celebration of family, language, and legacy
• It shows how grandparents can be part of your child’s bilingual journey — even from afar
• It’s a beautiful reminder that stories bring generations together

💛 Want to Try This at Home?

Record a loved one reading a story to your child.
It doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to come from the heart.
Those little recordings? They become treasures. ❤️

Even if someone rolls their eyes at first or says, “I don’t want to do it,” (trust me, I’ve been there!), once they get caught up in the moment. The laughter, the fun, the connection. They’ll love it.

Because it’s not about being perfect; it’s about being present.

✨ New Here?

If you missed Part 1, listen to [Episode 14 – What Grandparents Teach Us About Language, Love, and Legacy].

Before You Go… Stay Tuned After the Reading!

We’ve included a few bloopers and outtakes at the end. Full of mistakes, giggles, and behind-the-scenes laughter. Because sometimes the best family memories are born in the imperfect moments. When things go off-script, we mess up the lines and just laugh together.

Perfectly imperfect and full of heart.

Coming Soon: Transforma

If you’re a parent or an adult starting the journey of learning Spanish yourself… I’ll soon be opening the doors to Transforma, my signature program for adults learning Spanish with clarity, heart, and support.

✨ I’m inviting only 10 founding members for this special first round.
It’s designed for real beginners. No pressure, no perfection. If you’d like early access to the priority list, send me an email at info@jencova.com.

¡Hasta la próxima! I can’t wait until we meet again!

Episode 14 – What Grandparents Teach Us About Language, Love, and Legacy

Today’s episode is a little different and one that’s been on my heart for a long time.

It’s both a tribute and a reminder.

A tribute to my dad, who has played a huge role in my life and in my children’s lives, and a heartfelt celebration of grandparents and the beautiful, often overlooked role they play in raising bilingual children.

It’s also a gentle reminder to all of us:
Grandparents matter more than we realize… especially in our bilingual journey.

We’ll explore the unique ways they shape language, culture, and connection — and why their presence, even from far away, can make a big difference.
You may think bilingual parenting is all about you… but what if grandparents are actually a missing link?

Whether you’re a parent, a grandparent, or somewhere in between, this episode is an invitation to reflect, reconnect, and celebrate the imperfect, meaningful moments that create lasting bilingual bonds.

Inside This Episode:

• A personal story of how my dad helped me learn English in Colombia
• How he later became a language mentor and joy-bringer for my children
• Why time with grandparents doesn’t have to be long to be meaningful
• How their presence supports language, culture, and emotional growth
• What to do if grandparents live far away — or are no longer here
• Overcoming resistance from family members who don’t yet understand your “why”
• How to gently include grandparents in your bilingual journey
• 3 reflection questions to help you reconnect and reimagine the role of elders
• A powerful reminder: “What doesn’t get scheduled, doesn’t happen.”
• A simple idea to try this week: record a grandparent reading a story
• A special teaser for next week’s episode: my dad reading We Are All Connected

Reflection Questions:

1. How have the grandparents in your life influenced your child — emotionally, culturally, or linguistically?
2. What stories, songs, or traditions could your child learn from a grandparent that no book or app could ever teach?
3. When was the last time you intentionally created space for your child and their grandparent to connect — even for a few minutes?

Coming Next:
A bilingual book reading, “We Are All Connected / Todos Estamos Conectados”, read by my dad.
This simple recording became a beautiful shared memory — and I can’t wait to share it with you.

An Invitation: If you’re a parent or an adult beginning your Spanish learning journey… I’ll soon be opening the doors to Transforma, my signature program for adults learning Spanish with clarity, heart, and support.

✨ I’m inviting just 10 founding members for this special first round.
It’s designed for real beginners — no pressure, no perfection — just a path that actually works.

Details will follow in the coming weeks, but if you’d like to be on the priority list,
send me an email at info@jencova.com.

Stick around in the next episodes a few bloopers from our recording session because life’s happiest moments are often found in the imperfect ones.

When things don’t go as planned...
When we mispronounce a word...
When we laugh at the same line over and over again...

That’s where the real joy is.
Perfectly imperfect — just like family.

Thank you for being here.
¡Hasta la próxima! I can’t wait until we meet again. 💛

In today’s magical episode, we join Luna la Mariposa as she explores the days of the week in Spanish — through colors, counting, and friendship! This bilingual story weaves in familiar vocabulary from past Luna episodes and introduces new phrases and expressions to help young learners build confidence and comprehension.

You’ll hear the story twice:

1. First in a bilingual version (English narration with Spanish vocabulary sprinkled in).
2. Then again, completely in Spanish to enjoy the rhythm and flow of the language.

Whether you're listening at home or in the classroom, this episode is designed to make Spanish fun, natural, and memorable for your little learners.

What We’re Learning:

• Days of the week: lunes, martes, miércoles, jueves, viernes, sábado, domingo
• Review of: colors, greetings, numbers 1–8, and emotional expressions
• Real conversation phrases: ¡Buenos días!, ¿Cómo estás?, Buenas noches, Gracias, ¡Emocionado!, Cansada, and more!

Free Printable Activity Pack

Download the matching printable pack to practice what you’ve learned:
👉 www.jencova.com/free-resources

This pack is perfect for reinforcing vocabulary, building sentences, and connecting the story to real language practice — whether you're a parent, teacher, or caregiver.

Previous Luna Stories:

Missed earlier episodes? Don’t worry! You can always go back and enjoy stories that teach:

• Colors (rojo, azul, amarillo…)
• Greetings (¡Hola!, ¿Cómo estás?)
• Numbers (uno, dos, tres…)

Each comes with its own printable activity set — all available at the same link above.

Let’s Stay Connected:

If you’re enjoying the stories, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who wants to introduce Spanish at home.

Until next time…

¡Gracias por escuchar!
Buenas noches, Luna. Descansa. 💫

In today’s episode, we are reading a beautiful bilingual book for families: No tengas miedo / Don’t Be Afraid by Ingo Blum.

This story is perfect for families raising bilingual children, with the text presented in both Spanish and English—making it a gentle and meaningful read that helps build language and emotional vocabulary at the same time. This story is all about courage, kindness, and facing big feelings with love and understanding. It's a sweet reminder for little ones (and grown-ups, too!) that it’s okay to feel scared—and that with support, we can be brave.

In this special episode, I had two amazing guest voices who helped bring the story to life. A big thank you to Darciah Costa and Cristian Varela for sharing their voices, accents, and heart in this reading. I’m so grateful to have you as part of this journey. ¡Mil gracias!

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another family on their bilingual journey. Every listen helps us grow this beautiful community. ¡Gracias por estar aquí!

https://a.co/d/bv6ABse (Amazon link) - Note: This is not a sponsored episode. I don’t receive any commission for recommending this book. I just genuinely love it and think it’s a beautiful resource for bilingual families.

https://www.amazon.com/El-Ratoncito-Perez-Tooth-Fairy/dp/0545162270

This is the Spanish for Children and Families podcast. In today’s episode, we read one of my favorite books for bilingual families. "El Ratoncito Pérez y the Tooth Fairy" and/or “The Tooth Fairy and El Ratoncito Pérez”. The book is perfect for families raising bilingual children, with the text presented in both Spanish and English, making it an amazing read that celebrates the best of both worlds.

As shared in my last episode, this is such a cute bilingual book that brings together two beloved childhood traditions: El Ratoncito Pérez from Spanish-speaking cultures and the Tooth Fairy from English-speaking ones. The story follows the adventures of these two magical characters as they team up to collect a lost tooth, showcasing the values of teamwork, friendship, and cultural exchange.

In this special episode, I had the best accomplices—my children—who jumped in and brought the story to life by doing all the voices. A warm gracias, thank you to them for being the best companions. ¡Los amo infinitamente!

Welcome back to the Spanish for Children and Families podcast! In this exciting return episode, we dive into a topic that isn't often discussed but is crucial for many bilingual families: when the partner who doesn't speak Spanish feels excluded. As a Spanish language coach with over 21 years of experience, I share practical strategies and heartfelt advice to help you navigate these challenges and strengthen your family's bilingual journey.

Episode Highlights:

• Catch-Up: Why I paused the podcast and what’s coming next, including the launch of a new program and podcast for adults called Transforma.
• The Excluded Partner: The first major challenge discussed is when a partner who doesn’t speak Spanish feels left out during family conversations conducted in Spanish.
• OPOL Strategy: How the One Parent, One Language method can help balance language use and make your partner feel more included.
• Cultural Inclusion: Tips on involving your partner in cultural activities and traditions that might otherwise feel foreign to them.
• Joint Parenting in Bilingual Development: Encouraging your partner to be part of language goals and discussions, ensuring they’re an active participant in your child’s bilingual development.
• Building Confidence: Strategies for helping your partner gain confidence in engaging with your children in Spanish, including learning the language together and creating a supportive, judgment-free environment.
• Social Settings: Navigating social events where Spanish is the dominant language and how to make your partner feel more comfortable and included.

Resources Mentioned:

• Book Recommendation: El Ratoncito Pérez y the Tooth Fairy by Jane Cadwallader and Gustavo Mazali – A bilingual book that’s perfect for sharing with your children and teaching them about both Spanish and English traditions.

https://www.amazon.com/El-Ratoncito-Perez-Tooth-Fairy/dp/0545162270

• Upcoming Episodes: Stay tuned for a special episode where I’ll read El Ratoncito Pérez y the Tooth Fairy, complete with different voices for each character!

Communication is key in any relationship, especially when raising bilingual children. By addressing these challenges openly and finding strategies that work for your family, you can ensure that both parents feel valued and involved in this beautiful journey.

Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast and leave a review! Your feedback helps shape future episodes, and I’m always listening to your suggestions.

¡Hasta la próxima, familias! Keep planting those seeds and fostering bilingual magic in your home.

What's it like to raise bilingual children? Curious about the challenges and joys of juggling two languages at home?
Join us in today’s episode! My guest Lucia Garrett and I dive into our experiences raising bilingual kids. Lucia talks about her journey with bilingualism and how it has been to raise her children learning Spanish. Lucia stresses the importance of patience and consistency, even when faced with challenges. We chat about the ups and downs, the struggles of finding good resources for teaching Spanish, and how to overcome them. I also shared my own story about my son's language skills and a heartwarming moment when he was able to help a family having a difficult time communicating. We discuss the benefits of bilingualism, the importance of encouraging reading and writing in both languages, and how to stay positive and determined!

Key Takeaways:

• Let your children explore both languages through books, music, and shows.
• Be proud of your child's bilingual journey, no matter how small the steps.
• Stay consistent in using both languages at home, even on tough days.

Resources:

Guest Lucia Garrett - Mother of a 4 year-old and 18 month-old

• Pato Pato® - upcoming educational toys in Spanish https://www.playpatopato.com or lucia@playpatopato.com

Spanish for Children and Families Social Media and Website:

• Website https://www.jencova.com/
• @spanishforchildrenandfamilies (IG) https://www.instagram.com/spanishforchildrenandfamilies/
• Facebook Community - Mundo Fantastico Spanish for children https://www.facebook.com/groups/spanishandchildren
• Contact With Jenny info@jencova.com