At LingoStars, we’re passionate about helping children acquire language naturally through immersion and play. We know that children learn best when they’re actively engaged—when they move, explore, and interact with language in real-life contexts.
But immersion alone isn’t enough. To give your child the best possible foundation in a new language, we incorporate a variety of proven teaching methodologies that are specifically designed to make language learning fun, meaningful, and effective. These approaches tap into how children naturally absorb and retain information, helping them progress from understanding to confidently speaking the target language.
Here’s a look at some of the key techniques we use at LingoStars to create a rich and immersive learning experience.
1. PPP: Present, Practice, Produce
What Is It?
The PPP (Present, Practice, Produce) method is a highly effective, three-step approach that introduces new language concepts, reinforces them through practice, and encourages children to apply what they’ve learned in real-world contexts.
Our typical class structure follows this methodology:
Present: We introduce new vocabulary or phrases in a fun, interactive way—often through songs, visuals, or storytelling.
Practice: Children engage in hands-on activities that reinforce what they’ve learned. We encourage them to use the target vocabulary actively through games and structured activities.
Produce: Finally, we give children opportunities to independently use the language they’ve just learned, often through fun, engaging games or class recaps.
💡 Example in Our Classes:
In a typical LingoStars class, we might introduce vocabulary related to animals. First, we present the new words using flashcards and visuals. Then, we practice by playing a game of Bingo where children listen for the words and match them to their cards. When they win, we encourage them to tell us the words they’ve identified. To wrap up the class, we often finish with a quick recap using a fun, interactive game that encourages the children to produce the language they learned at the beginning of class. This structure provides a balance of input, practice, and output, ensuring that language is internalized and applied naturally.
2. TPR: Total Physical Response
What Is It?
Total Physical Response (TPR) is a method that pairs language with physical actions, allowing children to physically respond to verbal instructions. By connecting language with movement, children develop a stronger cognitive link between words and their meanings, which leads to better retention.
Why It Works in Immersion:
Children are naturally wired to learn through movement and play. TPR engages their whole body, making language learning a multi-sensory experience that enhances comprehension and memory.
💡 Example in Our Classes:
At LingoStars, we often incorporate TPR through fun, high-energy activities. One favorite is Twister, to help teach vocabulary related to colors and body parts. As we call out commands in Spanish (“Put your hand on rojo!” or “Put your foot on azul!”), children actively engage with the language while having fun. Because children are physically involved, they not only understand the words but also internalize them faster, making it easier for them to recall the vocabulary later.
3. Multisensory Learning: Stomping, Clapping, and Movement to Reinforce Vocabulary
What Is It?
Multisensory learning combines movement, rhythm, and repetition to engage different parts of the brain and deepen learning. Children process information through multiple channels—visual, auditory, and kinesthetic—making it easier for them to retain and recall language.
Why It Works in Immersion:
This approach taps into children’s natural love for rhythm and movement. By combining physical actions with language input, children internalize new words more quickly and remember them more effectively.
💡 Example in Our Classes:
We often practice pronunciation by having children clap out syllables of longer words. For example, when learning words like “mariposa,” they clap each syllable (“ma-ri-po-sa”), helping them break down the word and improve pronunciation. This multisensory approach adds an element of fun and energy to language learning while improving long-term retention.
4. Communicative Language Teaching (CLT)
What Is It?
Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) focuses on using language in real-life communication. The goal is to provide meaningful opportunities for children to use the target language in authentic situations, helping them build practical, conversational skills.
Why It Works in Immersion:
In an immersion setting, language is naturally embedded in everyday conversations and interactions. CLT reinforces this by encouraging children to use language in purposeful, real-world scenarios that build their confidence and fluency.
💡 Example in Our Classes:
We love using role-playing scenarios to practice conversational skills. We might set up a pretend grocery store where children practice buying and selling items in Spanish. Through dialogue and interaction, they practice vocabulary and conversational phrases in a playful, low-pressure setting.
5. The Natural Approach (Krashen’s Theory)
What Is It?
Developed by Stephen Krashen, the Natural Approach emphasizes that language is best acquired when learners are exposed to comprehensible input—language that is slightly above their current level but understandable through context and support.
Why It Works in Immersion:
This approach mirrors the way children acquire their first language. They don’t memorize grammar rules or vocabulary lists—they observe, listen, and absorb the language naturally in context. By surrounding children with rich, meaningful input, we allow them to process and internalize the language over time.
💡 Example in Our Classes:
We frequently use storytelling, songs, and conversation to provide comprehensible input in Spanish. Even if children don’t understand every word at first, they pick up meaning through visual cues, gestures, and repetition, gradually building their vocabulary and comprehension. For instance, during storytime, we introduce new words with accompanying gestures and images, making it easy for children to follow along and absorb the language effortlessly.
Why We Use a Blended Approach at LingoStars
At LingoStars, we believe that no single method works for every child. That’s why we carefully blend these methodologies to create a diverse and engaging learning environment where:
✅ Children internalize language through movement, rhythm, and hands-on practice.✅ They gain confidence by using language in meaningful, real-life contexts.
✅ They develop comprehension and fluency at their own pace, in a supportive and encouraging setting.
By combining these proven techniques, we ensure that every child thrives in their language-learning journey.
Give Your Child the Gift of Language Through Immersion!
Immersion, when paired with the right methodologies, is the fastest and most natural way for children to acquire a second language. At LingoStars, we create a vibrant, interactive, and supportive environment where children learn through play, movement, and meaningful communication.
Ready to watch your child blossom in a new language? Register for a class and experience the magic of immersive learning!