We recently moved to Madrid with our child, who will be attending an international school here. Although the main language of instruction is English, Spanish is a compulsory subject. To prevent my child from falling behind, I want to give them a head start at home so they can keep up with the class right from the beginning.
I’ve been to several bookstores and asked some local friends, discovering a wide range of Spanish children’s textbook publishers, with Edelvives, Anaya, and Santillana being the most prominent. Each publisher offers multiple series (like Lengua Castellana, Conocimiento del Medio, etc.), and I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed. I’m not sure which textbooks international schools typically use for non-native Spanish speakers. Does anyone have recommendations for a specific series?
Ideally, I’m looking for a textbook that is well-illustrated, includes plenty of exercises, and has a comprehensive structure. It would be perfect if it aligns with the Spanish Ministry of Education’s official curriculum for a systematic learning experience. I’ve also heard that some textbooks come with online resources like audio files and interactive exercises, which sounds extremely helpful for a non-native speaking child.
To make it easier to discuss, here’s a quick overview of the publishers I’ve looked into. Any insights or suggestions from experienced parents would be greatly appreciated!
| Publisher | Features | Common Series |
|---|
| Santillana | Spain’s largest educational publishing group; very comprehensive system. | Saber Hacer, Los Caminos del Saber |
| Anaya | Rigorous content with a large number of exercises; great for exam prep. | Aprender es crecer en conexión |
| Edelvives | Lively design and beautiful illustrations; popular among primary students. | Pienso, siento y aprendo, Superpixépolis |
My main question is this: for a child learning Spanish as a second language, is it too difficult to jump straight into the native ‘Lengua Castellana’ primary school textbooks? Or are there specific series designed for international or non-native students? Speaking of international school textbooks, any advice from experienced parents would be incredibly helpful. Thanks a million! Information on where to purchase these textbooks would also be a huge bonus!
