Think your child’s still stuck in beginner Spanish? You might be underestimating them.
Many homeschool parents worry they’ll move their child “up” too soon. However, staying too long at the beginner level can actually stall progress and dampen motivation. The truth is that most students are ready to transition to intermediate Spanish before their parents feel confident in making the call.
So, let’s make that decision easier for you. In this post, I’ll walk you through five clear signs that your homeschooler is ready to take on intermediate Spanish, even if they don’t feel like experts yet.
Stick around to the end, and I’ll share a free printable “Spanish Level Assessment: Beginner or Intermediate?” to help you evaluate your child’s readiness with confidence.
Why Moving Up Matters
Intermediate-level Spanish is where real language growth kicks in. This is the stage where students begin:
- Thinking in Spanish instead of translating word-for-word
- Having longer conversations
- Gaining confidence in expressing themselves
According to a report from the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, 1 in 5 U.S. students study a foreign language at all. Homeschool families are uniquely positioned to give their children an edge — but only if the curriculum evolves as the child does.
So, Is Your Child Ready for the Next Level?
Here are five signs that it’s time to move from beginner to intermediate Spanish:
1. They Can Form Complete Sentences on Their Own
If your child can string together more than just vocabulary words, things like “Me gusta leer libros por la tarde” or “Mi hermana tiene un perro negro,” that’s a huge green flag.
At the beginner level, students often rely on memorized phrases. At the intermediate level, they start creating their own sentences based on a growing understanding of grammar and structure.
2. They Use Present Tense Verbs Correctly and Naturally
Mastering the present tense is foundational. If your child is correctly using verbs like tener, ser, estar, and even irregular ones like ir in everyday conversation, they’ve likely outgrown beginner content.
Example:
Instead of just saying “comer” (to eat), they say “Yo como pizza los viernes” (I eat pizza on Fridays).
Bonus sign: if they’re curious about the past tense or start asking how to say things like “I went” or “we talked,” they’re mentally preparing to level up.
3. They Understand Basic Questions and Answer Without Translation Crutches
Intermediate learners can listen to basic questions and respond without mentally flipping every word into English first.
Try asking your child, ¿Dónde vives? ¿Qué te gusta hacer? ¿Cuál es tu comida favorita?
If they respond quickly and accurately, they’re well on their way to intermediate comprehension.
Still translating word-by-word? That’s okay. It’s part of the process. But a shift toward faster understanding is a sign they’re ready for more challenging material.
4. They’re Getting Bored With the Basics
Have you noticed your child zoning out during flashcards or beginner reviews? Do they breeze through assignments that used to challenge them? That boredom could be a sign they’ve outgrown the content, not the language.
Many students disengage not because they’re struggling but because they’re not being challenged enough.
Intermediate Spanish introduces new tenses, richer vocabulary, and more engaging, real-life topics, the kind that actually capture a teen’s attention.
5. They Can Hold a Short Conversation (Even If It’s Not Perfect)
Let go of perfection. If your child can carry a 3–5 minute conversation on familiar topics —like family, hobbies, school, or pets— they’re ready. They may make mistakes (we all do), but if they’re initiating conversation, asking questions, and expressing ideas, it’s time to build on that momentum.
The intermediate level isn’t about flawless grammar. It’s about functional language that supports connection and confidence.
What to Do If They’re Ready
If your child checks most of these boxes, it’s time to:
- Transition to an intermediate Spanish curriculum
- Incorporate more conversation practice, ideally with a native speaker
- Introduce new grammar topics like the past tense and direct/indirect objects
- Keep Spanish fun and relevant through media, projects, and personalized content
At Homeschool Spanish Academy, our certified instructors specialize in guiding teens through this exact transition with 1-on-1 classes that grow with your child’s needs.
Grab Your Free Assessment Tool
Still not sure if your child is ready to move up?
Download our free “Spanish Level Assessment: Beginner or Intermediate?” It’s a simple tool with vocabulary checks, grammar prompts, and mini-speaking challenges to help you confidently place your child.
Click here to download the free assessment and take the guesswork out of language learning. (Coming Soon!)
You’ve already laid the foundation. Now, it’s time to watch your child thrive.
Join one of the 40,000 classes that we teach each month and you can experience results like these
“It’s great being able to interact with native speaking people and having a conversation with them not just doing all the work on paper. It’s also an amazing opportunity to speak with native Spanish-speaking people without having to travel to a native Spanish-speaking country.”
– Melanie
“Getting to know wonderful teachers who care about me and my growth in language and education. Evelyn Gomez and Erick Cacao are two of the most extraordinary people I have ever met, and talking with them in Spanish at the beginning of classes is always so fulfilling and greatly contributes to my happiness, joy, and wellbeing.”
– Abby
“I love that my children have the opportunity to speak with a live person. They get to practice Spanish in a 1-1 setting while improve their speaking, writing and reading skills during their lessons. HSA is a great way to learn Spanish for all ages! My children are 6, 9 and 11. My oldest two (9 and 11) have been taking classes with HSA for almost 2 years now. They love seeing their teacher each week. They understand the importance of learning several languages. I’ve seen them grow and learn with HSA. I’m excited to see how they will improve the more classes they take. I highly recommend them. You can’t bet learning and speaking with a live teacher. I’ve tried other programs. It’s just not as motivating.”
– Karie Ann, Parent of 3
Want more free Spanish resources for your kids? Check these out!
- 9 Ways to Keep Your Middle Schooler Engaged in Spanish (Even if They’re Already Fluent)
- French vs Spanish: 7 Reasons Spanish Could Be a Strong Long-Term Investment
- 7 Creative Ways to Maintain Spanish Fluency at Home — Perfect for Elementary Kids
- Raising a Bilingual Child: 10 Must-Have Resources Every Parent Needs
- 5 Proven Strategies to Help Your Middle Schooler Excel in 1-on-1 Online Spanish Classes
- 10 Expert Tips to Keep Your Middle Schooler Motivated in Online Language Lessons
- 5 Fun & Easy Spanish Activities to Do at Home with Your Preschooler
- The Best Spanish Learning Apps, Books, and Games for Kids
The post 5 Signs Your Homeschooler Is Ready for Intermediate Spanish appeared first on Homeschool Spanish Academy.
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