I have found myself on a trip down memory lane for this week’s blog.
Many years have passed since the original ideas for Speekee came together. One of those ideas was the use of Sock Puppets. We felt certain they were perfect language learning tools – especially for kids – and that’s why we gave instructions on how to make Dino and Lupi (from the Speekee series, pictured below with Speekee) right at the start of our FastTrack curriculum for homeschoolers.
We preface those instructions by stating that “Sock puppets are great for language learning. They allow children to adopt a different identity and that in turn helps them to start speaking in a different language. In each Speekee episode the key Spanish language is reviewed in playful sketches with Speekee’s sock puppet friends Dino and Lupi.”
It’s one thing to say such high sounding words about the effectiveness of sock puppets, but is there any evidence to back them up?
You bet!
I was delighted this week to revisit this beautiful blog post by Samantha Liz. If ever there was a glowing demonstration of the power of sock puppets, this is it.
First up, follow the instructions and if you’re lucky you’ll get results like Samantha did with her two kids Molly and Thomas…
Pretty good likenesses, eh?! Perfecto (-;
Next, put those puppets to use…
Great job kids!!
Let’s compare their performance with the original shall we…
Can you tell the difference?!
Until next time readers,
Jim
Jim Porter is a co-founder of Speekee®, home of the most comprehensive Spanish learning program for children ever to appear online
Jim began his Spanish learning journey in 1990. He has been a language teacher since 1994 and he lives in sunny southern Spain with his two bilingual children. Loves it! More…