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For expat families in Spain, raising bilingual children is one of the most rewarding parts of life abroad. Watching your child switch effortlessly between English and Spanish is a joy – but it can also come with challenges, especially when balancing home life and school expectations. Thankfully, technology has your back. The right educational apps can make language learning fun, engaging, and perfectly suited to your child’s age and confidence level. Technology has your back We’ve rounded up five brilliant apps helping expat parents in Spain support their bilingual kids at school – and beyond. Finally some screen time we can get on board with! Duolingo – The fun, free way to learn and laugh Best for: Vocabulary building and grammar practice Let’s start with a global favourite: Duolingo. This colourful, game-style app turns language learning into a daily adventure. Children earn points, unlock levels, and are gently cheered on by the app’s famous green owl. For bilingual families, Duolingo helps reinforce both English and Spanish. Little learners can even use Duolingo ABC, which focuses on early reading and comprehension – perfect for English-speaking expats whose children attend Spanish schools. Available on iOS, Android & desktop | Free with optional premium upgrade Endless Spanish – A magical start for little learners Best for: Preschool and primary-school children If your bilingual journey is just beginning, Endless Spanish is a total gem. Its adorable animated monsters make vocabulary and pronunciation lessons feel like playtime. What parents love most is that it easily toggles between English and Spanish, helping children connect meaning across both languages. It’s a fantastic choice for expat families in Spain introducing their little ones to life – and school – en español. Available on iOS & Android | Free with in-app purchases Lingokids – Spain’s Home-Grown Learning App for Bilingual Families Best for: Structured bilingual education with playful learning Proudly created in Madrid, Lingokids is a hit among expat parents in Spain – and for good reason. It blends play with education, using its signature “Playlearning” method to teach English, Spanish, maths, and emotional intelligence through interactive games, videos, and songs. Backed by Oxford University Press, the content aligns beautifully with school curricula in Spain, making it the perfect bridge between home and classroom for bilingual children. Available on iOS, Android & desktop | Subscription required after free trial Memrise – Real-life Spanish for teens and tweens Best for: Older kids developing fluency and confidence For expat teens in Spain who’ve outgrown basic flashcards, Memrise is the upgrade they need. It features real videos of native speakers using natural Spanish – from friendly chats to everyday slang – so kids learn how people really talk. It’s brilliant for improving listening skills and confidence, whether your child is English-speaking in a Spanish school or a Spanish teen studying English at an international one. Available on iOS, Android & web | Free with premium option Readly – For curious young readers who love both languages Best for: Reading comprehension and cultural connection If your child enjoys magazines, Readly is a treasure trove. This app gives instant access to thousands of titles in English and Spanish – from National Geographic Kids to Muy Interesante Junior. For expats in Spain, it’s a wonderful way to maintain English literacy while encouraging Spanish reading too. It also exposes kids to both cultures through topics they love – from science to sport to pop culture. Available on iOS, Android & desktop | Subscription-based Raising bilingual kids as an expat in Spain Living in Spain gives children a priceless gift – the chance to grow up fluent in two languages and two cultures. With the right apps, language learning becomes part of everyday life: on the school run, over breakfast, or during screen time that’s actually educational. It’s something children can really embrace and makes learning fun, which as any parent knows is the key way to engage them at any age! So whether you’re an expat family in Mallorca, Madrid, or Marbella, these five apps can help your bilingual child shine both in school and at home – turning the challenges of expat life into real opportunities for growth, learning, and fun.
