See a Need, Fill a Need
By: Keith
Did you know that almightydad.com is in Spanish too? A lot of people don’t. Click on the Spanish flag in the upper right hand corner and you’ll see something magical happen. When we first decided to translate it (a monumental task) it wasn’t clear if we’d see a significant uptick in visitors as a result or if maybe it would turn into a big waste of effort. But, as you might be able to guess, there aren’t nearly as many Spanish language blogs as English, especially Spanish language Dad blogs. The result for me is that I unwittingly stumbled upon a group of people who are otherwise underrepresented on the internet – Spanish speaking stay at home dads and, to a lesser degree, parenting in general. I have to admit that I didn’t exactly see a need and fill it. Rather, I accidentally filled a need then I saw it. The principal of maximizing effort though stands. A Swahili language dad blog probably isn’t the best use of effort. However, since Spanish is the third most represented language on the Internet (behind English and Chinese), filling that need is an excellent idea.
Learning Spanish:
And that brings up my next point. Living in the United States, it’s an excellent idea to know at least basic conversational Spanish. My Spanish used to be a lot better than it currently is, but I’ve started speaking it again (after a 12 year absence) because my boys need to learn it. You might know already that Mely (the wife) is Mexican and that her parents and sisters are all still in Mexico. Thus, my boys are going to need to speak Spanish if they expect to communicate with them. Additionally, if they learn it well, they’ll have more job options when they grow up. Not to mention, of course, that they’ll have a more cosmopolitan world view which will also help them above their peers. So, for a valuable leg up in the world they’ll need Spanish. Some people want to claim intellectual superiority by saying French, German, Russian or some other language is more exotic and thus more glamorous. But, I’ve got news. There’s a ton of untapped business opportunities in Spanish speaking countries. The money isn’t in learning French or Japanese. It’s in Spanish. Just like I discovered with this blog; see a need, fill a need.
How?
The boys have been using the Rosetta Stone software in earnest for the better part of 6 months now, and their progress is fantastic. Like I said, I’ve started studying again too because otherwise I’ll soon be the worst Spanish speaker in the family – and I don’t want that to happen! Every day like clockwork they do one lesson. Since we homeschool it’s easy to fit in a lesson whenever it’s convenient. And, unlike regular language lessons, which we all hated in school, Rosetta Stone lessons don’t feel like lessons. Yes, they hurt your brain a little, but they’re fun; for a kid that’s the most important part. Another good method for learning vocabulary with kids is to, after a computer lesson, send the kids on a scavenger hunt with a list of items written in Spanish. They get candy for every item successfully returned. Works for candy monster husbands and fathers too.
Some Questions:
What need have you seen and been able to fill based on your unique skill set?
Are you teaching your kids these extra skills?
Is there a particular skill that you’ve always wanted to have but haven’t jumped at?
No related posts.
Usamos Rosetta Stone y otros libros. Hablo Espanol, pero mi vocabulario es muy limitado. Mi hijo va a aprender.
Now, I’m off to click the flag button and watch the magic!
I’m like the worst bi-lingual person for not teaching my daughter my 2nd language. She’s 3 and she doesn’t want us to speak French. Last fall we went to Montreal and my wife and I were talking to people and such like and it really shook her up–she was in a foul mood the whole time. Weird. Anyway, glad to hear you are doing Rosetta stone because I’ve always figured we’d teach her in a kind of structured way versus immersion. She’s started to show signs of being interested so there’s still hope.
.-= Dad is in the House´s last blog ..Useful Little Shiz =-.
Nick: Sorry for ragging on French there a little
Yeah, the Rosetta Stone program is really good for kids because it’s mostly visual and intuitive. We got the same thing with the boys and our speaking Spanish. But, now that they’re a little older they actually want to try to participate, and that makes it a lot easier on me. Thanks for the comment!
Heh. I didn’t worry about it–I haven’t gotten rich from knowing French, that’s for sure
.-= Dad is in the House´s last blog ..Useful Little Shiz =-.
Now if only Dennis would translate your blog into Chinese!! Living in LA we’re expected to know Spanish and they’re aghast when I don’t but call me old-fashioned and meet me halfway here by trying to learn some English too!! Jeez!
Chinese is a great idea! Why not use Google Translate in the meantime to get the page count up?
.-= Dennis Yu´s last blog ..Determining the value of Facebook for your business– mistakes you’re probably making =-.
Dennis: you know, most languages I would have some idea that a translation tool has taken over and started insulting me. But, Chinese? Google could write anything and I wouldn’t know the difference.
Hmm. Based on that chart I guess I should abandon my plans to have my blog translated into sanskrit, althought I could go with a whole dead languages motif (bonus points if you can name the movie I stole that from). My godson rocks it out on Rosetta Stone and I plan on using it with little man. I remember about four lines from my three years of high school French, so maybe my son and I can learn Spanish together.
.-= PJ Mullen´s last blog ..I live with Buckwheat =-.
PJ: Sorry, dude. I fail the bonus question. Do tell
I think that is a great idea. When my kids were in preschool I placed them in a Hebrew immersion program. It is not as practical as Spanish but it has been exceptionally useful in many ways.
Being able to speak a second language really expands your mind and helps you to see the world in a different way.
You may have stumbled onto a niche, but it is practical and it works so why not.
.-= jack´s last blog ..A History of My Child’s Life =-.
Jack: Well, I guess Hebrew might not be as practical as Spanish, but it’s definitely way cooler!
Back to School
.-= PJ Mullen´s last blog ..Happy second birthday little man =-.