Speekee

As part of a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew, I was given access to a site that is teaching the kids to speak Spanish.  This site is Speekee!

About Speekee

Speekee TV is designed so that children can learn Spanish in their own time and at their own pace.

• 10 episodes, over 150 minutes of pure Spanish learning
• Learn Spanish from real Spanish children in real Spanish locations
• Features songs, animation and puppets
• Optional subtitles in Spanish and English
• Free activity sheet downloads
• Great fun and extremely effective
• Created by specialist language teachers

A subscription to Speekee TV is £4.95 (or $7.50) per month and the first two weeks are free

My Thoughts

I was excited about this product.  However, after watching one of the videos and seeing the type of money sitting on a table, I wondered if Speekee was teaching Spanish from Spain or if it was the Latin America (I saw some Euros).    After asking the question on the TOS Homeschool Crew, I got a confirmation that it was indeed Castilian Spanish.   I was a bit disappointed.

The site is very well done.  And the videos will introduce the language to the kids based on a specific theme like for example the zoo.   A variety of situations will introduce more words to the kids as they watch the video.    I was also impressed with the fact that you can download some fun exercises to accompany the lesson.    All the exercises will deepen the learning process by allowing the kids to use what they have learned on paper.    Another great feature of these videos was the fact that there was subtitles under it.   For me it was easier to follow.   For the younger kids – they couldn’t care less as reading is not a skill that they are mastering.  But big brother, Alexandre would tell them what it said.   

Each video is located in a different setting – the park, the restaurant, the zoo…   And the kids can learn different Spanish words linked to the location where they are.   For example, while at the park, they learned about going up and down and at the restaurant, they learned how to order some drinks.   

My kids loved the videos.   And started counting in Spanish for everything.   It was fun to see them react that way after watching a couple of the videos.   As much as I want my kids to learn Spanish, I don’t think I would use the Speekee website to do so simply because it is teaching the Castilian Spanish and not the Latin America Spanish.  It is my understanding the there are differences in pronunciation, grammar and vocabulary – even though it would not prevent communication.   However, we do have a program to learn Latin America Spanish and with the few episodes I watched with the kids, I already saw some slight differences of pronunciation which bothered me.

Finally, I want to praise the quality of the videos.   You can see that there was time and effort behind each episodes and that the whole script was thought.    Not only the kids learn from REAL life people but puppets also helps to understand the lesson.   It is very creative and interactive.   And to have material which the kids can use after the lesson is fantastic.

In the end, if  you don’t mind the slight difference of pronunciation and you want your kids to learn Spanish, I suggest that you consider Speekee.   Would I pay 7.50$ US per month?  No but that’s just because I already have some Spanish learning material at home.   DVDs are also available but make sure your DVD player can play the European DVDs before purchasing them.

Disclaimer: Thanks to Speekee for allowing me to access their website for review purpose through the TOS Homeschool Crew. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way.  All opinions expressed here are only my own.