What if setting your child up for bilingual success didn’t have to be a mystery? In this enlightening episode, hosts Janny Perez and Dr. Villaroel break down what bilingual education programs actually look like, address common parent fears, and share confidence-boosting tips for supporting your child’s Spanish, no matter your own fluency.

Whether you’re confused about “dual language” versus “bilingual,” worried your child isn’t learning enough, or looking for home strategies, this episode is packed with actionable guidance, plus inspiring stories and research-backed advice.

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Timestamps & What You’ll Discover

02:42 – The Value of Your Heritage Language Is a Superpower

04:16 – Meet Dr. Villaroel: Dual Language Specialist & Advocate

08:07 – How Kids Really Learn Languages

11:19 – From Teacher to Multilingual Consultant

17:11 – Major Misconceptions About Bilingual & Dual Language Education

18:52 – What Are the Different Kinds of Bilingual Programs?

24:41 – Why Dual Language Is Growing (and Why It Matters!)

25:56 – Ways Parents Can Advocate & Support Bilingualism at Home

28:34 – Resources for Homeschoolers and Nontraditional Families

29:46 – The Biggest Challenges for Parents in Dual Language

32:06 – Connect with Dr. Villaroel

About  Dr. Villarroel

• Dr. Breyda Villarroel is a multilingual education leader and advocate with 20+ years in dual language, bilingual, and ESL education
  
• Multilingual Specialist at New Caney ISD (TX) and Senior Educational Consultant supporting districts nationwide
  
• Venezuelan-born, fluent in English and Spanish; holds a Doctorate in Business Administration
  
• Former Dual Language Coach, Language Acquisition Consultant, and Newcomer Academy Lead Teacher
  
• Researcher, author, and speaker focused on equity, biliteracy, and empowering Latino communities

About Janny Perez

• Janny Perez is a passionate advocate for raising bilingual children and preserving Latino heritage.

• She is the voice behind "The Latina Mom Legacy" podcast and the bilingual parenting educator behind Confident Bilingual Parenting .

• She inspires parents with her own journey, moving beyond simply reading or singing to her child in Spanish. Janny knows that true bilingualism requires more than casual exposure, it demands intention, planning, and consistent strategies.