Frequently asked questions

Answers to the questions families and schools ask us most about our books, programs and camps. Still have a question? Email info@cultural-bytes.org or call 818-937-3615.

Our books

How do the QR-code songs and narration work, and which 4 languages are included?

Read it, hear it, sing it, in four languages. Libertad and Belleza each include access to an audiobook, so your family can hear the story narrated and sung. Scan the QR code with your phone to listen in English, Spanish, French and Mandarin. Libertad is woven with musical moments that invite readers to pause on the pictures and learn the songs in one language or all four.

I Love English is Cultural Bytes’ collection of six activity books, A to F, one for each level. Book A is for Kindergarten, and Books B, C, D, E and F are for Grades 1 to 5. The books cover fun, everyday topics aligned with the world language standards of ACTFL (the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages), building vocabulary and practicing all four skills: listening, reading, speaking and writing. Every book includes access to the OVA online activities at the Start level. The Teacher Guide and the Tutor Guide are each available for an additional fee.

Yes. Every topic in I Love English is introduced three ways: in English, in natural phonetics for Spanish speakers, and in Spanish (for example: Mother · /moder/ · Madre). The natural phonetics let Spanish-speaking parents follow along and support their child’s English at home. Each topic follows the same easy pattern: one page introduces it, and two pages of fun activities reinforce it.

The OVA (Objeto Virtual de Aprendizaje, or virtual learning object) is the online companion to the I Love English activity books. It has quizzes, visuals, audio and songs, so children can explore and practice each topic on their own, in a fun way. You open it through a QR code. Every activity book includes OVA access at the Start level, and the Basic and Plus plans add more resources as your child grows.

Libertad and Belleza are multilingual picture books written and illustrated by Amalia Low and published by Cultural Bytes. Libertad is the story of Fox, who lives free in the forest, and Dog, who lives tied up beside an old cabin. Through their friendship, Dog learns to face his fears and lets out the joy inside him. In Belleza, Blobfish is pulled from the deep sea and his body changes, and so does the way others see him: it’s a touching underwater story about kindness, bravery and looking beyond appearances. Both are made for children, for early readers in elementary school, or for parents to read to their children. The stories come in four languages (Spanish, French, English and Mandarin), and the songs come in all four languages too, through QR codes.

It depends on the book. Cultural Bytes’ own books (the I Love English activity books, Libertad and Belleza) are available at Cultural Experience (culturalexperience.store) and in the Cultural Bytes store on Amazon. Susaeta’s Nacho books, including Nacho Libro Inicial, are available at Nachobooks (nachobooks.com). For orders outside the United States, please contact us at info@cultural-bytes.org.

Yes. We offer discounts for schools, districts, libraries and bulk orders, including classroom sets of I Love English. Email info@cultural-bytes.org and we’ll send you a quote quickly.

Nacho books are Spanish literacy books and workbooks from Susaeta for children ages 3 to 8. For more than 60 years, Nacho Libro Inicial de Lectura has helped children learn to read and write in Spanish. Today families, homeschoolers and educators use the Nacho collection to build real Spanish literacy while keeping the language connected to family and culture. Cultural Bytes is proud to be the official representative of Susaeta’s Nacho books in the United States and Canada. You can find the whole collection at Nachobooks (nachobooks.com).

Programs and schools

We teach Spanish, French and Mandarin. Classes use total immersion: children learn in the language they are studying, through games, songs and visuals. For children learning English, our I Love English activity books support English practice at home and in class.

Not at all. Beginners are welcome, and so are heritage speakers and children who already know some of the language. Each child learns at their own level, and our games, songs and visuals help kids understand and start using the language naturally.

Yes. Our classes are taught by experienced teachers who are native speakers of the language they teach. From the very first class, children hear natural pronunciation and everyday expressions, along with the culture behind the language.

Yes. Cultural Bytes works with schools, districts and charter networks on Language Academies, Saturday school programs and teacher training. We plan each program with the school, around its students and schedule. In California, a program can be part of ELO-P, the state’s Expanded Learning Opportunities Program. To get started, email info@cultural-bytes.org to request a quote.

Yes. Our One-on-One classes are live online lessons with a native-speaking teacher in Spanish, French or Mandarin, planned around your child’s level and pace. We also offer ViLaCa (Virtual Language Camp), our online afterschool program in Spanish for heritage speakers and children with an intermediate level of Spanish, ages 4 to 12. Live sessions run Monday through Thursday in two age groups, 4–6 and 7–12, each day with a different theme from Spanish-speaking cultures, led by native Spanish-speaking teachers and with no homework. Schedules and prices are on our online classes page.

Camps

Our camps are for children ages 5 to 8. Camps are offered in several languages, and campers are grouped by age and language level, so new learners and kids who already speak the language both feel at home.

Camp runs from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and everything happens on site, indoors and out, with no field trips. Here is what a day can look like:

  • Morning: songs and the day’s theme, with hands-on activities and engaging academics that practice listening, speaking, reading and writing.
  • Break: a 30-minute break.
  • Late morning: arts and crafts that are culturally relevant to the language of the camp.
  • Lunch: a one-hour lunch break.
  • Afternoon: competitive and team games, dance and more songs.
  • Break: a second 30-minute break, then projects and activities that wrap up the day’s theme.

The whole day takes place in the language of the camp, so kids keep using it from drop-off to pick-up.

For full-day camps, please send your child with lunch, snacks and water each day. For Saturday Camp, a water bottle and a snack are enough. Labeling bottles and containers with your child’s name makes the day easier for everyone.

Camp runs from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Extended care is available for an additional fee: early drop-off from 7:30 AM and late pick-up until 6:00 PM.

Our camps are held at select schools and in Burbank, California. Each camp page lists its location.

  • Cancellations made at least 14 days before camp starts receive a full refund, minus a $25 processing fee.
  • Cancellations made 3 to 13 days before camp starts receive a credit toward a future Cultural Bytes camp or class.
  • Once camp has started, we do not offer refunds. If your child misses camp days because of illness, we are happy to give a credit for those days.
  • If Cultural Bytes cancels a camp, families receive a full refund.

Register online on our registration page, where you can also manage your child’s registration through the parent portal. Payment plans are available, and siblings receive a discount. Questions? Email info@cultural-bytes.org or call 818-937-3615.