About
Music Lingua Language Classes for Children uses music, movement, story-telling, art, drama, singing, and games to teach foreign languages to children. The program offers language classes in Spanish, French, and German, with thematically based sessions where each session shares a unique theme tying together songs, props, books, and activities. Each class includes thematic music, a music activity booklet, a story book, and a toy that relates to the theme.
• Ages: Infant–8 years old
• Schedule: Parent–child classes typically meet 45 minutes per week in 10–12 week sessions, and preschool classes meet once or twice per week
Each 10 to 12 week session has a unique kid-friendly theme, such as “Life in the Ocean,” “Life at Home,” “African Safari,” and a Transportation unit that includes learning about traffic safety, buying things with money, ordering food in a restaurant, counting to 100, and telling time. Students listen to music with an easy-to-use app or digital download or CD, and use an accompanying bilingual music activity booklet and storybook at home. The program teaches with a minimum of spoken English and uses a Natural Approach to Language Acquisition so that children learn the new language in a way that is described as similar to how they learn their mother tongue, with a low-stress method that avoids putting pressure on the child to perform. The combination of singing, drama, games, and art is described by the program as making classes dynamic and fun and holding the child’s interest.
Music Lingua Language Classes for Children offers parent–child foreign language classes, drop-off classes for older kids, preschool classes, and summer camps. The program has been helping children learn foreign languages since 2001 and is described as Santa Cruz’s premier educational kids’ activity. A surprising number of native speakers enroll their children in Music Lingua classes.
The leadership team includes Gigi Swenson, co-owner and President of Music Lingua; Ellen Guettler, co-founder of Music Lingua; Chuck Swenson, co-owner of Music Lingua; and Ana Maykranz, teacher. Teachers are trained in techniques based on research that the program describes as the latest research to optimize the learning experience for the child. Music Lingua LLC is a member in good standing of the Bozeman Area Chamber of Commerce and an affiliate of The Association for Childhood Education International. The program has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and is a winner of the Best of Pueblo 2019 Award.
In testimonials, a language editor for about.com, Ingrid Bauer, describes the songs as catchy and educational and states that the methodology is based on leading language acquisition research and that Music Lingua is unique in its approach and is a pioneering model in foreign language instruction. Researcher Natalie St-Amand, in a study for the University of Quebec at Chicoutimi, concludes that Music Lingua is a beneficial approach for children and notes that the method uses music and rhythm as a major tool in the learning process of a foreign or second language. Parents describe the Spanish and French classes as their children’s favorite activity class, say their children have large vocabularies and can speak in complete sentences and understand Spanish, and report that children of different ages (1, 3, and 5 years) each learn at different levels from the weekly class. One parent notes that the words and tunes stick with children and that their child calls out phrases like “Mama, voilà la vache.” Another parent comments that the format uses multiple intelligences, sensory approaches, and repetition and calls it a fantastic program. A Music Lingua teacher, Donna Uken, describes the teacher training as high quality, organized, and interactive, and notes that classes use music, movement, drama, and art along with high-quality materials and research-supported best practices in teaching. Another testimonial states that the instructor is prepared and competent and that children leave class knowing more about culture and the Spanish language.
Last updated August 2, 2026.
• Ages: Infant–8 years old
• Schedule: Parent–child classes typically meet 45 minutes per week in 10–12 week sessions, and preschool classes meet once or twice per week
Each 10 to 12 week session has a unique kid-friendly theme, such as “Life in the Ocean,” “Life at Home,” “African Safari,” and a Transportation unit that includes learning about traffic safety, buying things with money, ordering food in a restaurant, counting to 100, and telling time. Students listen to music with an easy-to-use app or digital download or CD, and use an accompanying bilingual music activity booklet and storybook at home. The program teaches with a minimum of spoken English and uses a Natural Approach to Language Acquisition so that children learn the new language in a way that is described as similar to how they learn their mother tongue, with a low-stress method that avoids putting pressure on the child to perform. The combination of singing, drama, games, and art is described by the program as making classes dynamic and fun and holding the child’s interest.
Music Lingua Language Classes for Children offers parent–child foreign language classes, drop-off classes for older kids, preschool classes, and summer camps. The program has been helping children learn foreign languages since 2001 and is described as Santa Cruz’s premier educational kids’ activity. A surprising number of native speakers enroll their children in Music Lingua classes.
The leadership team includes Gigi Swenson, co-owner and President of Music Lingua; Ellen Guettler, co-founder of Music Lingua; Chuck Swenson, co-owner of Music Lingua; and Ana Maykranz, teacher. Teachers are trained in techniques based on research that the program describes as the latest research to optimize the learning experience for the child. Music Lingua LLC is a member in good standing of the Bozeman Area Chamber of Commerce and an affiliate of The Association for Childhood Education International. The program has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and is a winner of the Best of Pueblo 2019 Award.
In testimonials, a language editor for about.com, Ingrid Bauer, describes the songs as catchy and educational and states that the methodology is based on leading language acquisition research and that Music Lingua is unique in its approach and is a pioneering model in foreign language instruction. Researcher Natalie St-Amand, in a study for the University of Quebec at Chicoutimi, concludes that Music Lingua is a beneficial approach for children and notes that the method uses music and rhythm as a major tool in the learning process of a foreign or second language. Parents describe the Spanish and French classes as their children’s favorite activity class, say their children have large vocabularies and can speak in complete sentences and understand Spanish, and report that children of different ages (1, 3, and 5 years) each learn at different levels from the weekly class. One parent notes that the words and tunes stick with children and that their child calls out phrases like “Mama, voilà la vache.” Another parent comments that the format uses multiple intelligences, sensory approaches, and repetition and calls it a fantastic program. A Music Lingua teacher, Donna Uken, describes the teacher training as high quality, organized, and interactive, and notes that classes use music, movement, drama, and art along with high-quality materials and research-supported best practices in teaching. Another testimonial states that the instructor is prepared and competent and that children leave class knowing more about culture and the Spanish language.
Last updated August 2, 2026.
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