We all know that learning to speak a new language can be a difficult process. On top of the numerous vocabulary words to memorize, there are often differences in grammar. Speaking a new language is wonderful, but to truly learn a language you need to be able to read and write it as well.
Why Copywriting?
Copywriting is a way to practice sentence structure, grammar, and vocabulary at the same time by copying writings from the language that you are trying to learn. Doing copywork in your native language has many benefits including improving spelling, vocabulary, and grammar. So you would expect copywork in a foreign language to do the same.
You could use any kind of literature, but I suggest that you combine practicing a new language with studying God's Word.
Journaling in Spanish
Using Journibles or even a blank notebook and a bilingual Bible you will be able to work on learning a new language and get to know the Bible a little better at the same time.
The idea of Journibles or language learning copywork is simple! You copy a certain selection of verses from the Bible each day. The right hand side of the book is where you copy down the scripture, and the left side is blank for you to write thoughts about what you read, definitions of the words that were new or hard to understand and any language notes you have. Copying down the verses requires you to slow down and really read what was written, not just skim through quickly.
By copying down the verses in the language you are trying to learn and then reading the verses in both your native language and the language you are trying to learn, you are exposed to the proper grammar, and are able to see how the language really works. You will pick up new vocabulary and become more familiar with how the language is spoken.
There are times when phrases don't translate word for word from one language to another, and by daily exposure in your writing you will be able to pick up on these instances.
There are many Journibles available. Pick a part of the Bible that you want to read closer and begin your study. When you are finished, you will not only have grown in your knowledge of a new language, but you will have scripture written out in that language and have a greater understanding of what the Bible really says.
Younger children may need to break down the writing into smaller portions each day, but it is a great way to reinforce the written part of the new language.
Suggested Resources:
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Bilingual Bible
– this one has English on one side of the page and Spanish on the other. The Reina-Valera 1960 Spanish version is the most widely used and comes from the first complete Spanish translation of Scripture directly from the original texts.
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Journibles
– a jounal specifically created for journaling Scripture, you can choose almost any book of the Bible to start with
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Pretty Journals
– choose a pretty journal to copy your Scripture passages into
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Filipenses 2:1-18
– Write Through The Bible has a Spanish version of their copywork notebook available for Philippians 2:1-18 in print (Manuscrito) or cursive (Cursivo) available through Lemonhass.com as a download (descarga)
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31 Days of Homeschool Spanish is sponsored by Classes By Beth.