SO...WHAT IS CASA ESPAÑOL?

Casa Español is a home-based Spanish enrichment program for children ages 5–9, where language learning comes to life through stories, art, games, music, movement, and hands-on exploration.

It was created to give children the opportunity to experience Spanish in a warm, welcoming environment where learning feels natural, creativity is encouraged, and friendships have room to grow.

Our approach is simple: children learn best when they're engaged, comfortable, and having fun.

Rather than traditional lessons or an intensive language curriculum, we introduce Spanish through meaningful, everyday experiences. One day might involve creating colorful works of art, another might include exploring nature, playing games, making something with our hands, or discovering a new story together. Spanish is woven throughout these experiences, giving children opportunities to hear, recognize, and gradually begin using the language.

We incorporate carefully selected Spanish children's literature, familiar songs, foundational vocabulary, numbers, letters, and conversational expressions. Repetition is an important part of our approach. Children encounter familiar words and phrases again and again, building recognition and confidence at their own pace.

Casa Español meets twice weekly, with new themes and activities introduced throughout each month. Families enroll on a monthly basis, allowing children to attend regularly, build friendships, and enjoy a variety of creative learning experiences without the pressure of keeping up with a traditional curriculum.

Our groups are intentionally small, with a maximum of eight students, so every child has room to participate, explore, and receive individual attention.

Above all, Casa Español is a place for children to enjoy being children while discovering another language.

But the reason I created Casa Español goes a little deeper than crafts, stories, and games.

I actually started writing this program when my own children were younger.

One day, I realized that every part of their world—school, television, books, games, friends—immersed them in English. Spanish, the language both of their parents were born into, had slowly become something they only heard every now and then at home.

I wanted something different for them.

I wanted them to be able to walk into abuelita's house and simply talk to her while they still have the gift of being able to do so.

That became the heart behind Casa Español.

I wanted my kids to start living en Español.

And while Casa Español has evolved into a creative, play-based enrichment program, that purpose hasn't changed.

I want children to grow up feeling that Spanish belongs in their world, too. Not just in a textbook or a classroom, but in the stories they hear, the friendships they make, the things they create, and the everyday moments that make childhood special.

Think about how your child learned to use a new word.

They heard it. They heard it again. They connected it to something happening around them. Eventually, they tried it themselves.

Spanish needs those opportunities, too.

At Casa Español, we introduce Spanish through experiences children already love: stories, art, music, games, movement, and play. Familiar words and phrases find their way into everyday activities, giving children opportunities to hear Spanish, recognize it, and begin using it naturally.

A word from a story might come up again during a game. Colors become part of a painting project. Numbers come to life as we count, sort, and build. Simple expressions like quiero, tengo, and me gusta become useful ways to ask for something, make a choice, or share an opinion.

And children don't have to speak Spanish to participate.

They can point, move, create, listen, imitate, and explore while they're still finding their words. There's room for different personalities, abilities, and levels of confidence.

Our activities change throughout the month, but familiar language and routines remain. That repetition helps children feel comfortable, recognize what they've heard before, and gradually make connections.

With a maximum of eight children, our small-group setting gives me the opportunity to meet students where they are, encourage their curiosity, and adapt when something isn't quite clicking.

The goal isn't to rush children toward fluency. It's to make Spanish a familiar, enjoyable part of their world.

And sometimes that starts with, “Read it again.”

THERE’S A REASON WE READ THAT BOOK AGAIN.

Casa Español offers a simple monthly membership, giving families the flexibility to become part of our little Spanish community without committing to a semester or lengthy program.

$300/month · Monthly Membership
Mondays & Wednesdays · 1:00–2:30 PM
Ages 5–9 · Maximum of 8 children

Your monthly membership reserves your child's place at Casa Español for both class days each week.

I encourage children to attend both days whenever possible. Familiar stories, favorite games, creative activities, and the Spanish expressions we use together become more meaningful each time children return. Coming regularly also gives children opportunities to build friendships, become comfortable with our routines, and feel at home in our little group.

But I also know life happens.

Some weeks, you might make it to both meetings. Other weeks, you might only make it to one. That's perfectly fine.

There's one monthly membership rate, regardless of attendance. You're reserving a place in our group, with the flexibility to participate as your family's schedule allows.

Each month brings new themes, hands-on activities, stories, games, and opportunities to experience Spanish through creativity and play.

New enrollment begins on the first of each month, as space allows. There's no need to wait for a new semester or a particular unit to begin.

Monthly Tuition & Attendance

Monthly tuition reserves your child's place in Casa Español for all regularly scheduled Monday and Wednesday meetings during the enrolled month.

Tuition remains the same regardless of the number of classes attended. Missed classes are not prorated, refunded, or credited toward future months.

Our monthly calendar is shared in advance so families can see what we'll be exploring together. Unless otherwise announced, Casa Español meets every Monday and Wednesday, including weeks surrounding school holidays and breaks.

Parent Participation

Casa Español is a parent-on-site enrichment program.

Children are encouraged to participate independently, giving them opportunities to build confidence, make friends, and engage with our activities.

Parents are welcome to relax in our designated parent lounge or outdoor patio while their children attend. You're always nearby if your child needs you, but there's no expectation that you participate in every activity.

Arizona ESA Welcome

Casa Español is a Direct Pay vendor through ClassWallet and happily accepts Arizona Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) funds for eligible educational expenses.

If you're new to using ESA funds for our classes, I'm happy to answer questions and walk you through our enrollment and payment process.

PROGRAM FEES

Hi! 😊 I'm Profe Irene. (Or Miss Irene!)

I'm a proud Mexican native, longtime homeschooling mom, and the founder of Casa Español.

I love the Spanish language. I love my Mexican culture. And I absolutely love watching children discover something new for the first time.

Creating Casa Español gave me the opportunity to bring all of those things together.

As a mom, I've watched how easily English becomes the language of almost everything in our children's lives. It's in their books, their shows, their games, and their friendships. And little by little, Spanish can become something they hear less and less, even in families where it's part of who we are.

I don't want our beautiful language to become something our children only recognize. I want it to feel like something that belongs to them, too.

That's a big part of why Casa Español exists.

I've always loved children's literature, and I believe there's something special about discovering a language through a good story. But I also love getting creative, making things with our hands, playing games, being a little silly, and watching children learn without even realizing they're learning.

At Casa Español, I get to share all of that with your children.

My hope isn't that every child leaves speaking perfect Spanish. It's that they leave feeling a little more familiar with it, a little more curious about it, and excited to come back.

I hope Casa Español becomes a place where your child makes friends, discovers new things, creates something they're proud of, and hears Spanish spoken with warmth and enthusiasm.

More than anything, I hope Spanish simply becomes part of their childhood.

I can't wait to welcome your family. 💛

MEET ME

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Casa Español is designed for children ages 5–9 who enjoy stories, art, music, movement, games, and hands-on exploration. Our activities introduce Spanish in a playful, welcoming environment where children can learn at their own pace.

    No previous Spanish experience is needed, and children do not need to know how to read or write to participate.

    Our small-group setting welcomes children with different personalities, learning styles, and abilities. Some children jump right into activities, while others need time to observe, get comfortable, and find their confidence. Both are perfectly okay!

    Age is a helpful starting point, but it doesn't tell me everything about a child. Before enrollment, I'm always happy to talk about your child's interests, abilities, and any additional support they may need to feel comfortable and successful in our group.

    Above all, I want Casa Español to be a place where your child feels welcome, included, and excited to return.

  • No prior Spanish experience is needed. Casa Español welcomes beginners as well as bilingual children who would benefit from continued practice, vocabulary development, and conversational confidence.

  • A little bit of everything! 😊

    Each month at Casa Español brings new themes that we explore through arts and crafts, stories, music, movement, games, and hands-on activities—all with Spanish woven throughout.

    One day, we might be painting pumpkins, building something with our hands, or exploring colors and shapes. Another day, we might be playing a counting game, listening to a Spanish story, or discovering something new about the world around us.

    Our activities are playful, but there's always an opportunity to learn.

    We practice familiar Spanish words and expressions, explore letters and numbers, develop fine motor skills, and encourage creativity, curiosity, and independence. Children also have opportunities to practice sharing, taking turns, making friends, and working together.

    Our classes follow a familiar routine, but the activities change with our weekly themes. This gives children the comfort of knowing what to expect while keeping each visit fresh and exciting.

    Some activities are guided, while others give children room to explore, make choices, and create at their own pace.

    And yes, we make plenty of things to bring home! But not every activity ends with a finished project. Sometimes the best learning happens while we're playing, experimenting, or simply enjoying a story together.

    Above all, I want children to leave Casa Español feeling that they've had fun, made connections, and discovered a little more Spanish along the way.

  • Yes. There are pets on the property, so please reach out before enrolling if your child has an allergy or sensitivity. Animals are not part of class activities.

  • That is completely okay. Children are not expected to arrive ready to speak in front of a group. We build confidence gradually through familiar routines, stories, music, movement, and supportive participation.

  • I will review your application and follow up with the next steps. If you have questions before applying, please feel free to reach out. I’m happy to help you decide whether Casa Español is the right fit for your child.