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Virtual Language Education a Success and an Asset in 2021

January 26, 2021 by Mariposas Spanish

Austin, Texas (January 26th, 2021) – Mariposas Spanish School is proud to continue providing high-quality Spanish education for children across the country through Mariposas en Casa, their virtual Spanish program, in 2021. Mariposas en Casa was developed in Spring 2020 as response to the local community demand for continuing Spanish education at home following the cancellation of in-classroom learning due to COVID-19. Over the last ten months, Mariposas Spanish School has been able to provide virtual live and on-demand classes at the international level, with families logging in from Texas to Mexico to England.

“We never would have imagined how fun virtual learning could be! When we decided to homeschool, we immediately signed-up our six-year old daughter Bennie for an online Spanish class with Mariposas, and it has truly been a highlight every week,” wrote Crystal, a parent, in an email to Mariposas Spanish School. “I was unsure if Bennie would connect virtually with an instructor she had never met in-person, so I was encouraged to see her making a genuine connection right from the beginning. She adores Maestra Laura and is eager to learn from her! I love to hear her singing Spanish songs in the other room, both during class and throughout the day. The class is also the perfect amount of screen time, and we appreciate the supplementary resources that Mariposas shares with us. We really can’t say enough about the positive experience we’ve had with Mariposas!”

Based on the Montessori and Total Physical Response methods, Mariposas Spanish School incorporates songs, games, storytelling, visual aids, mindfulness, and sign language to help children build a strong foundation in their Spanish language acquisition. Lessons also introduce Latin culture through music, traditions and customs, empowering children to grow as global citizens.

Virtual classes are designed to be immersive and engaging, so children feel like they are right there with the maestra (teacher). Using a combination of online and offline practice, Mariposas Spanish School is bringing high-quality, affordable weekly lessons straight to families’ homes. Mariposas Spanish School encourages parents to sign up for a virtual class or their free on-demand lesson for preschoolers, ‘Los Colores’.

About Mariposas Spanish School: Founded in Austin, TX, in 1999, Mariposas Spanish School provides schools and communities with high-quality extracurricular Spanish. For over twenty years, it has served Central Texas with an innovative Spanish curriculum and has helped prepare children to become global citizens. Mariposas Spanish School was voted ‘Austin’s Favorite Place to Learn a Foreign Language’ by Austin Family in 2019. In addition, Mariposas provides high quality children’s Spanish APPs & music albums produced by grammy nominated musicians. For more information, visit www.mariposasspanish.com.

Virtual Private Spanish Classes

August 27, 2020 by Mariposas Spanish Leave a Comment

Mariposas Virtual Private Classes

Ready to join a Zoom Spanish class? Virtual group and one-on-one classes are taught just like an in-person class: interactive games, story times, music, and fun activities engage students from the comfort of home. Parents receive a weekly email prior to their Zoom lesson with printable class material and information on household items needed for the class.

Interested in a private or organizing a group? Scheduling is flexible: length, days, and frequency can all be customized to meet your needs. All classes are held Monday – Thursday.

With your request, please send us this information:

1. How many students and ages?

2. Preferred days and times.

3. How many days a week

On-Demand Spanish Classes

August 21, 2020 by Mariposas Spanish

Mariposas On-Demand Classes

As parents, we get it. Your time, now more than ever is super valuable. That’s why we made an on-demand Spanish program that we would be excited to participate in. Multiple learning options and price points, all from the comfort of home? Sign me up.

Weekly video lessons are delivered straight to your inbox with printables that help kids take digital learning into the real world. And the best part is, your kids can watch or listen whenever, wherever. Completamente independiente.

¡Vamos! It's as easy as 1-2-3!

1. Register for your first session

2. Choose a class package based on your family's needs

3. Plan a time that works best for YOU

1. Register for your first session

We have THREE sessions to choose from depending on your child’s level of Spanish experience. If you have previously participated in on-demand classes with Mariposas Spanish School, feel free to jump in with Session Two or Three. (Although, some repetition practice is a great idea with Session One!) If you are new to our program, we recommend starting with Session One.

Session One

FOUR weeks of classes available for both preschool and elementary. Here are a couple of class themes to look forward to:

Animales de la granja (Farm Animals)
La Primavera (Spring)
Cultural Lesson on Armando Mariño (Cuba)

Session Two

FIVE weeks of classes available for both preschool and elementary. Here are a couple of class themes to look forward to:

Partes del cuerpo (Parts of the Body)
El jardín (The Garden)
Animales del Ártico (Arctic Animals)

Session Three

SIX weeks of classes available for both preschool and elementary. Here are a couple of class themes to look forward to:

Emociones (Emotions)
Mis amigos animales (My Friends [animals])
El cielo y la tierra (The Sky and the Earth)

2. Choose a class package based on your family's needs

Chico

package includes weekly lessons, Parent Guide, and worksheet.

Mediano

package includes weekly lessons, Parent Guide, worksheet PLUS bonus interactive videos in Spanish.

Grande

package includes weekly lessons, Parent Guide, worksheet, bonus interactive videos in Spanish PLUS supplementary printable materials.

3. Plan a time that works best for YOU

We’ll let you in on a little secret: kids learn a language best with repetition and a consistent schedule. We recommend setting a reminder in your calendar twice a week for class. A set time is key for success: kids will know when to expect class and as a parent you won’t forget to make time for the lessons. This, amigos, is the beauty of an on-demand program. The ultimate flexible schedule.

Ready to get started?

August Zoom Classes

August 10, 2020 by Mariposas Spanish Leave a Comment

August Zoom Classes

In response to AISD’s delayed opening, Mariposas Spanish School has added 3 weeks of Zoom Spanish classes or in person learning pods for our students and dual language students.

Children will have fun ‘traveling’ to the beautiful country of Costa Rica to learn about the culture, animals, food, geography, and plants. ¡Vamos!

Zoom group classes and one-on-one lessons are taught just like an in-person class: interactive games, story times, music, and fun activities engage students from the comfort of home! As with in-person classes, students are welcome to observe and participate in the way that helps them learn best. Parents receive a weekly email prior to their Zoom lesson with printable class material and information.

August 18- September 3rd | 3 week session | 2x/wk

$160/session/student

(up to 8 students)

Tuesdays & Thursdays

9:30-10:00 PK (25-30 minutes)

1:45-2:20 Early Elementary (30-45 minutes)

2:45-3:15 PK (25-30 minutes)

Don’t see a time that works for you? Scheduling is flexible: length, days, and frequency can all be customized to meet your group’s needs. All classes are held Monday – Friday.

Amigos y familia classes!

Want to schedule a Zoom class with your family and friends? Let us know!

COVID-19 + La Comunidad

July 30, 2020 by Mariposas Spanish

As we transition into the school year, Mariposas’ top priority is keeping la comunidad safe. Want to continue learning Spanish from the safety of your home? Participating in pod learning? Ready for your school to pick up where we left off? Mariposas has got you covered.

Here is a brief overview of the policies we will be implementing for in person learning:

Masks: ALL staff and adults present during in-person classes or camps must wear a face mask (over nose and mouth) at all times. Students are required to wear a mask indoors. While outdoors, masks for children are optional, but encouraged during certain activities.

Temperature Check: Teachers will take their temperature each day (along with their self assessment). All students must complete a temperature check prior to attending an in person class/camp. And their temperature will also be taken at arrival. Temperature must be under 99.6 degrees Fahrenheit.

Hand Sanitizing: Staff and students must sanitize or wash hands thoroughly upon arrival to a class or camp, and then throughout the day (e.g. entering and exiting a building, after coming in contact with another person, before and after eating, after interacting with a student). Sanitizer will be available for use when soap and water aren’t available.

Feliz cumpleaños (Happy Birthday) is our sanitizing tune of choice.

Symptom Monitoring: Staff will self-monitor for symptoms and will keep an eye on students. If a staff member presents with COVID-19 symptoms, they must stay home. If a student presents with symptoms during a class or camp parents will be called for immediate pick up.

Please stay home if you or your child exhibits these symptoms: fever, sore throat, severe headache with fever, an uncontrolled cough that causes difficulty breathing, diarrhea, vomiting or abdominal pain.

Also stay home if: your child or a family member has come into close contact (within 6 feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes) with a person confirmed with COVID-19 or if your child has travelled to an area of high community transmission. If attending in person, please inform us if you have travelled on plane or public transportation within 2 weeks of the class/camp.

Physical Distancing: Staff will maintain a 6-foot distance from each other when possible. Students will be subtly distanced from each other during classes and activities. Where possible, classes will be held outdoors.

Depending on the kind of activity your child is participating in with Mariposas, we will communicate with you about the exact procedures we will be following. Additionally, you will be asked to sign an agreement form (to follow our procedures) ahead of joining us for an in-person class or event. Let’s all work together to keep la comunidad de Mariposas safe!

Online Classes

March 26, 2020 by Mariposas Spanish Leave a Comment

Online Spanish Classes

As we face difficult challenges in this current situation, and our children are home, we want to continue our classes virtually. Consistency, familiar faces, and continued learning are important for kids. Since we are no longer in the classroom, Mariposas will be sending families video lessons that your child can watch from home. This is all new terrain, and we want to make sure that your child continues practicing and enjoying their Spanish acquisition uninterrupted!

Our Spanish classes are open to all! If you are interested in having your child join our digital classroom, please reach out.

How It Will Work

– Mariposas will provide weekly online classes for students and families. Along with video lessons, families will receive worksheets to print so children have a coloring or writing Spanish activity at home. These classes are open to all. If your child is not yet enrolled, please email us.

– The email will also give you the vocabulary and suggested ideas for activities to do at home to practice the vocabulary for the week.

– Payment is up to you based on your family’s needs. You can continue to pay your regular monthly tuition, choose what you can pay on a sliding scale, or not pay anything. All current students will still receive our lessons through May regardless of payment. Please see the ‘Tuition’ tab for more information on how you can pay for Spanish lessons.

– All proceeds will go towards paying staff. We have one teacher that is due with her first baby in June and two others that are the main source of income for their family. Any amount helps. We know these are tough times and understand if you need to opt out of or reduce any payment.

Tuition for Current and New Families

Current Families: Email enroll@mariposasspanish.com with instructions on tuition amount. (ie. do not charge me, we want to pay $X amount, we want to continue with regular tuition payments.) We want to ensure that Spanish is still accessible to all of our students and welcome those who are interested in paying more to sponsor another child. (All proceeds go towards paying Mariposas staff.)

New Families: The fee to receive one lesson per week (+ yoga in Spanish) can be paid monthly. Our suggested price is $65/month, however you can choose to pay what you can afford. We want to ensure that Spanish is still accessible to all of our students and welcome those who are interested in paying more to sponsor another child. Purchasing an e-gift card allows you to choose the amount you can afford instead of enrolling in a class with a fixed rate. You can make a one-time payment and receive or gift complete lessons.

If you would like to enroll in our online class, please click here.

If you would like to purchase a gift card for an amount other than $65 see below.

How To Purchase a Gift Card for Digital Mariposas Lessons: Click here or the enroll link at the top of this page. Enter your amount and enter your email before checking out. Our team will send you Spanish lessons via email.

If you would like to purchase a gift card, please click here.

Looking Beyond

Since we are unsure of where we will be in the future, we are exploring a tiered subscription option that will allow all children to continue their Spanish learning from home year-round.

Feel free to download our Spanish APP for fun games, videos, and vocabulary. You can also download fun Spanish music from 2 of our albums recorded by an award winning artist, Adrian Quesada. Find out more at our mercado.

Watch Our First Week of Classes for Free!

Vacaciones en El Mar | PK Lesson | March 20th, 23rd

Vacaciones en El Mar | EL (K-3) Lesson | March 20th, 23rd

¡Vamos a hacer yoga en Español con Maestra Ashley!

Yoga en Español | El Delfin (Dolphin)

Yoga en Español | La Concha (Shell)

Yoga en Español | El Pez (Fish)

Yoga en Español | La Tortuga (Turtle)

Interested in joining our digital classroom? Click below to register your child!