This two minute Spanish language video, produced by a Mexican news network, is an authentic resource that introduces students to José Martí, a politician, writer, and fighter for Cuban rights. It is a perfect complement for any lesson or activity focusing on José Martí or his famous literary works including "Cultivo una Rosa Blanca" and "Nuestra America." Students in the novice high to intermediate low range can use this resource to interpret basic information while students in the intermediate mid to intermediate high range should try to comprehend enough information to explain the cultural and historical significance of José Martí and his work.
This three-minute Spanish language video, produced by a Mexican news network, is an authentic resource that takes students on a tour of Barcelona. Novice level students (level 1) can use this authentic resource to recognize arts and other graphic representations of the target culture as they identify the key cultural elements in the video such as the port, La Rambla, the 1992 Olympic Stadium, and Camp Nou Stadium. Intermediate and advanced level students can interpret what is heard to comprehend the target language while identifying (level 2), investigating (level 3) and analyzing (levels 4 & 5) the perspectives of the architectural artwork found throughout Barcelona.
This intermediate-mid to intermediate-high Spanish activity encourages students to report on current events. The activity starts by reviewing key vocabulary words by playing a game in which students describe a word to see if their classmates can guess what they are describing. A set of cards with full-color photos are included to illustrate each current event-related vocabulary word. Then, students are given a pre-printed current event card and are asked to summarize the event for their peers. There are 4 events included but this could easily be completed by having students each explore the internet to find authentic websites of current events in order to report on the most recent events.
This is a public domain Spanish language copy of Adolfo Gustavo Bécquer´s poetry which includes Rima LIII (53) also known as "Volverán las oscuras golondrinas".This specific Rima is featured on the College Board´s suggested reading list for the AP Spanish Literature and Culture Exam. This resource provides students an opportunity to interpret, restate, and react to what is read in the authentic written text. The text can also be used to describe the main ideas and significant details from the story.
This intermediate mid to intermediate-high Spanish activity introduces students to Evo Morales, Bolivia's first elected president of indigenous decent. Students will gather information from two different resources (print and audio) before answering a series of comprehension questions to check for comprehension. Afterward, students watch an interview with Evo Morales to gain an understanding of the challenges he faced as a political leader with an indigenous background. The provided questions can be addressed in writing or classroom discussions using the target language.
This intermediate mid to intermediate-advanced lesson leads students through a study of both Las redondillas, an arraignment of men for what Sor Juana believed was hypocritical behavior, as well as her autobiographical Reply to Sor Philotea de la Cruz. These two documents will help students understand why Sor Juana has been called the first feminist of the New World. The lesson included in this link is in the target language, making it suitable for level 4 and 5 students. The included activities will connect Spanish courses with literary standards covered in English literature classes. Activities include analyzing the two works and the treatment of gender stereotypes that are presented. Finally, students create a timeline of Sor Juana's work and draw parallels to current events around the world.
Teachers of novice and lower intermediate learners can access an English copy of the lesson in the comment box below.
This Spanish language unit is based on the novel Esperanza Rising. The English version of the unit (Link in the comment section) is appropriate for novice learners learning about the culture and the challenges faced by immigrant families in the United States. The Spanish version (linked here) would be a useful unit for heritage speakers or intermediate high Spanish learners. The Lesson plan includes a background description of the novel, and a series of activities that focus on the following topics: Birthdays and Celebrations, Immigration, Farm Laborers, and Literary Analysis. The last activity connects this unit with the standards addressed in Language Arts classes. Four different writing assessments are provided along with an extension activity that focuses on the Spanish language vocabulary used throughout the novel.
This Chinese lesson revolves around the novel Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, an English language novel that children learning Chinese will find exciting and culturally relevant to their language studies. While the posted age maybe elementary school, this unit is especially useful for intermediate high Chinese language learners, even in high school. After reading the children's novel in Chinese (available for purchase at online retail sites), students can identify how the book illustrates the themes of courage and generosity. Following the activities (using Chinese in class rather than English) students will create their own personal narrative in the target language.
This unit plan is prepared in English but offers links throughout to French language resources making this suitable for a wide range of high school language learners. Intermediate mid to intermediate high students should use the French language resources as they are introduced to the life and works of Charles Baudelaire, a 19th-century French Symbolist poet who was an admirer of Edgar Allan Poe. As students study the poems and his style, they are challenged to compare Baudelaire's work with other poets. As they work, they will make connections to the literary terms and styles covered in their Language Arts classrooms.
This intermediate mid to intermediate-high Spanish activity challenges students to consider what commercialization is doing to historically cultural sites throughout South America. Students start by reading a short article and watching a video about Machu Picchu and UNESCO's attempt to help preserve the important cultural area. Comprehension questions are provided so that students can check their understanding of the resources. Students are then asked to work in groups to research another city or monument that is in danger of commercialization. They then write a paragraph about the resources available to help limit the negative effects of tourism at these locations.
This intermediate low to intermediate-high activity focuses on the controversy surrounding artistic expression and graffiti. Students start by reading an article about the controversy in Colombia and then check their comprehension with a series of multiple-choice questions. Within the article, difficult words are highlighted in blue. If a student places the cursor over these words they will see a definition to assist them. Afterward, students watch a short video clip about Stinkfish, a known graffiti artist from Colombia, and respond to a series of reflection questions in writing or in a group discussion. Students then work individually or in groups to research other graffiti artists in Colombia before sharing their findings with the class. Finally, students make comparisons between the themes of their researched artist and the themes noted in graffiti throughout the United States.
This intermediate low to intermediate-high Spanish language activity centers around El Corte Inglés, one of the most popular department stores in Spain. This activity includes a series of target language articles for students to read as well as comprehension questions to check their understanding of the articles. Students are then given links to several commercials produced by Cortes Inglés and they are asked to identify items in the videos and discuss how the commercials have changed over time. Several extension activities are also included: One asks students to examine a timeline and describe events using the preterit and imperfect. Another introduces students to Pipol in da house - a series of 2-3 minute episodes produced by Corte Inglés featuring a college-aged cast wearing outfits from the store.
This intermediate mid to intermediate-high activity introduces students to the science and technology behind the Panama Canal. Students watch two target language videos that overview the importance of the canal and then they complete a series of comprehension questions to check for understanding. Students then complete an activity that challenges them to look at how the canal has affected the environment around it. Students discuss the ecological footprint left by the canal and discuss initiatives toward ecological transportation.
This intermediate mid to intermediate-high Spanish lesson introduces students to the idea of ecoturismo, specifically focusing on Costa Rica. Students start by watching two short videos that overview the topic (in the target language) and then students respond to a series of multiple-choice comprehension questions to see how well they understood the videos. Students are then asked to work in groups as they research various eco-tours offered throughout Costa Rica and report back to their classmates.
This intermediate mid to intermediate-high Spanish activity introduces students to multicultural fashion as well as the controversies that have evolved as designers incorporate indigenous designs into their work. Students start by reading a target language article and answering a series of comprehension questions to check their comprehension. Students then weigh in on the presented controversy by sharing their ideas to provided discussion questions. Students then compare this presented situation to other similar situations within their own culture in which large corporations have taken advantage of indigenous cultures.
This intermediate mid to intermediate-high Spanish activity introduces students to the Guaraní people group in Paraguay. The Guaraní have their own language, separate from Spanish, and are struggling to preserve this language. Students start this activity by reading about the Guaraní and their language as well as the language challenges that are present in the current day. Students then respond to a series of comprehension questions to check for understanding. The next steps encourage students to research more about the Guaraní on their own and offer a video to show students how the language differs from Spanish. Finally, students are asked to compare the challenges faced by the Guaraní with those of indigenous groups in the US such as the Navajo or Cherokee.
This intermediate mid to intermediate-high Spanish activity walks students through an exploration of educational systems in Central America. The countries covered include Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. Students start by watching a short news report in the target language about the challenges that face education in Guatemala. Afterward, they answer a series of comprehension questions to see how well they understood the report. Students are then broken into groups and each group researches the educational systems in different countries. The UNICEF website (Spanish version) is one of the resources used in this step because it provides many of the requested statistics. Finally, students participate in a class discussion as they use guided questions to discuss the information gathered in their research.
This interactive lesson engages intermediate mid- to intermediate-high students as they explore the world of Latino music. Students study important artists within the Hispanic world and then role play by performing some of their top hits. The overall project is a re-creation of the popular TV show 'The Voice.' Students who want to show off their performance skills take on the roles of the artists that they studied. Those who do not want to perform can take on the role of judges. This unit is separated into three days of activities and a printable Spanish document is provided to guide students through each step of the activity from research to performance. As an optional extension, students can choose to perform their songs for others in the school or community.
This intermediate mid to intermediate Spanish activity allows students to gather information from an authentic resource, specifically focusing on informal commands. Students start this activity by participating in an interpersonal conversation about their grandparents. Then they use interpretive skills to gather information as a native speaker describes their grandparents and the advice that their grandparents would give. Finally, students work in groups to present a list of affirmative and negative informal commands that grandparents would give to their grandchildren.
This canvas-based site offers a series of short, interpretive listening assessments in Spanish. There are 3 novice level, 8 intermediate level, and 2 advanced level video clips. Each activity should last no longer than 5 minutes making it a perfect start of a class activity or end-of-class comprehension check. Students listen to heritage or native speakers and then answer 5 multiple choice questions to assess their comprehension. The activities can be integrated into an existing Canvas course or used as a stand-alone activity.
This intermediate-mid to intermediate-high Spanish activity allows students to listen to the imperfect subjunctive tense in context. A heritage speaker from Central Texas describes the importance Spanish would have on her future children. A worksheet is provided to guide students through the conversation as they use interpretive listening skills to gather the required information. Students are then guided through a review of the imperfect subjunctive and its' conjugations. Finally, students are asked to interview classmates following the outline of the original interview. A provided PowerPoint presentation (linked in the comments below) allows the teacher to easily guide students through this activity.
This link provides an audio reading of Gustavo Becquer´s Rimas. Track 6 features Rimas 51-60 which includes Rima LIII (53) also known as Volverán las oscuras golondrinas". This specific Rima of Bécquer's is listed on the College Board's suggested reading list for the AP Spanish Literature and Culture exam. To focus on this specific Rima, start at 1:18 on track 6. The audio file allows students to use interpretive listening skills as they gather information from this authentic text read by a Spanish speaker.
This Spanish intermediate mid to intermediate-high activity introduces students to Gustavo Becquer's Rima LIII, a poem on the College Board's suggested reading list for the AP Spanish Literature and Culture Exam. This activity includes both the English and Spanish texts. There are links to 2 sets of Quizlet cards, one that focuses on Spanish language literary terms and another that focuses on vocabulary from the poem. A 10 question multiple-choice Quizziz quiz is provided along with comprehension questions and discussion questions that encourage interpersonal conversations about the content in the poem.
This unique intermediate mid to intermediate high Spanish activity challenges students to reenact the popular television show "Shark Tank." Students are first introduced to the Mexican version of the show to ensure everyone understands the concept behind the presentations they are to give. Students are then split into 3 groups. One group takes on the role of the sharks while the other two are asked to pitch specific product ideas. Students are challenged to research and present specific project ideas that are capable of helping meet the needs of the local community. Not only are students verbally presenting their project, but they are also looking for ways to address world challenges that face their assigned country. Printable instructions and rubrics are provided.
This unique set of activities is geared toward intermediate mid to intermediate high Spanish students working toward the AP Spanish Language and Culture Exam. The goal of this unit is to reinforce the theme of Science and Technology as students practice each proficiency skill. The geographical region of emphasis is Puerto Rico. This lesson includes an interactive PowerPoint that walks students through each individual activity as they click on icons within the slide. (Be sure to open the slide show in presentational view in order to take full advantage of the interactive activities.) Tasks include writing, listening, reading, speaking, and cultural explorations. Cultural topics referenced in these tasks include: food, celebrations, sports, geography, and art.
This unique set of activities is geared toward intermediate mid to intermediate high Spanish students working toward the AP Spanish Language and Culture Exam. The goal of this unit is to reinforce the theme of Global Challenges as students practice each proficiency skill. The geographical region of emphasis is Chile. This unit includes an interactive PowerPoint that walks students through each individual activity as they click on icons within the slide. (Be sure to open the slide show in presentational view in order to take full advantage of the interactive activities.) Tasks include writing, listening, reading, speaking, and cultural explorations. Cultural topics referenced in these tasks include: food, celebrations, sports, geography, and art.
This unique set of lessons is geared toward intermediate mid to intermediate high Spanish students working toward the AP Spanish Language and Culture Exam. The goal of this unit is to reinforce the theme of Personal and Public Identities as students practice each proficiency skill. The geographical region of emphasis is Honduras. This unit includes an interactive PowerPoint that walks students through each individual activity as they click on icons within the slide. (Be sure to open the slide show in presentational view in order to take full advantage of the interactive activities.) Tasks include writing, listening, reading, speaking, and cultural explorations. Cultural topics referenced in these tasks include: food, celebrations, sports, geography, and art.
This intermediate-mid to advanced-low Spanish lesson offers an opportunity for students to listen to heritage speakers as they describe their families. Students are able to rely on family vocabulary and knowledge of a variety of tenses to gather information about each speaker. The activities in this lesson are specifically created for students who are considering a career in medicine. This allows students who may be participating in a high school health academy course to connect their language skills with their professional goals. By referring to the video speakers as 'patients' students practice asking questions about family history, listening for health-related facts, and gathering information on simulated patient history forms. While the content covered in this lesson (health vocabulary, family vocabulary, past tenses) is crucial to most Spanish programs, this unique twist allows students interested in the health field to see how these topics can impact their future profession and goals.
This is a public domain Spanish language copy of Lazarillo de Tormes, one of the texts recommended by the College Board for the AP Spanish Literature and Culture exam. This resource provides students an opportunity to interpret, restate, and react to what is read in the authentic written text. The text can also be used to describe the main ideas and significant details from the story. There are multiple download options so that students can read the book on a variety of devices.
This link provides a downloadable reading of the book Lazarillo de Tormes, a book on the College Board's AP Spanish Literature and Culture Exam's suggested reading list. The audio file allows students to use interpretive listening skills as they gather information from this authentic text read by a Spanish speaker. The site divides the audio into 5 separate sections that match the book's natural divisions.
This resource provides 6 separate video clips of French speakers, each of which illustrates the task of reacting, recommending, and making requests. Students use interpretive listening skills to identify main ideas and examine how imperative and subjunctive moods are formed and used through these authentic resources. The videos were prepared for intermediate and advanced level learners but could be used with novice learners as a way to introduce them to authentic language. Each video clip provides a French-language transcript and links to grammar reviews and activities for the concepts that are heard in the clip. The concepts covered include conjugations that take the subjunctive, imperative mood, irregular subjunctive, past subjunctive, regular subjunctive, and subjunctive usage.
This resource provides 3 separate video clips of French speakers, each of which illustrates the task of talking about future events. Students use interpretive listening skills to identify main ideas and examine how the future is formed and used through these authentic resources. The videos were prepared for intermediate and advanced level learners but could be used with novice learners as a way to introduce them to authentic language. Each video clip provides a French-language transcript and links to grammar reviews and activities for the concepts that are heard in the clip. The concepts covered include: regular simple future and irregular simple future
This advanced-level Spanish project-based learning (PBL) unit challenges students to work in groups as they examine a problem, investigate the situation, and propose a solution. The unit includes a calendar pacing out each of the 8 class days required for the PBL. At the end of each class period students are provided a self-evaluation to reflect on tasks accomplished and plan for their next steps. All necessary resources regarding the presented problem as well as investigative resources are included. (Click on the Lecturas iniciales link to access a google folder with printable resources). At the end of the lesson, students present their findings orally and in writing following the provided guidelines and rubrics. A bibliography is provided to assist students in researching the problem. This PBL specifically focuses on the controversy surrounding bullfighting in Spain.
This advanced-level Spanish project-based learning (PBL) unit challenges students to work in groups as they examine a problem, investigate the situation, and propose a solution. The unit includes a calendar pacing out each of the 8 class days required for the PBL. At the end of each class period students are provided a self-evaluation to reflect on tasks accomplished and plan for their next steps. All necessary resources regarding the presented problem as well as investigative resources are included. (Click on the Lecturas Inciales link to access a google folder with printable resources). At the end of the lesson, students present their findings orally and in writing following the provided guidelines and rubrics. A bibliography is provided to assist students in researching the problem. The problem presented in this PBL focuses on the Great Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba.
This advanced-level Spanish project-based learning (PBL) unit challenges students to work in groups as they examine a problem, investigate the situation, and propose a solution. The unit includes a calendar pacing out each of the 8 class days required for the PBL. At the end of each class period students are provided a self-evaluation to reflect on tasks accomplished and plan for their next steps. All necessary resources regarding the presented problem as well as investigative resources are included. (Click on the Lecturas Iniciales link to access a google folder with printable resources). At the end of the lesson, students present their findings orally and in writing following the provided guidelines and rubrics. A bibliography is provided to assist students in researching the problem. The problem presented in this PBL focuses on discrimination toward street vendors in Spain.
This resource provides 14 separate video clips of French speakers, each of which illustrates the task of speaking about past actions. Students use interpretive listening skills to identify main ideas and examine how the imperfect, simple past, and compound past tenses are formed and used through these authentic resources. The videos were prepared for intermediate and advanced level learners but could be used with novice learners as a way to introduce them to authentic language. Each video clip provides a French-language transcript and links to grammar reviews and activities for the concepts that are heard in the clip. The concepts covered include: imparfait; passé composé, and passé composé vs imparfait.
This resource provides 6 separate video clips of French speakers, each of which illustrates the task of expressing hypotheses. Students use interpretive listening skills to identify main ideas and examine how the conditional and past conditional tenses are formed and used through these authentic resources. The videos were prepared for intermediate and advanced level learners but could be used with novice learners as a way to introduce them to authentic language. Each video clip provides a French-language transcript and links to grammar reviews and activities for the concepts that are heard in the clip. The concepts covered include the conditional, conditional past, and si clauses.
This resource provides 12 separate video clips of French speakers, each of which illustrates comparative phrases throughout the conversations. Students use interpretive listening skills to identify main ideas and examine how comparatives and superlatives are formed and used through these authentic resources. The videos were prepared for intermediate and advanced level learners but could be used with novice learners as a way to introduce them to authentic language. Each video clip provides a French-language transcript and links to grammar reviews and activities for the concepts that are heard in the clip. The concepts covered include: comparisons with adjectives, superlatives with adjectives, bon/meilleur vs. bien/mieux
This resource provides 21 separate video clips of French speakers, each of which illustrates how to use descriptions in conversation. Students use interpretive listening skills to identify main ideas and examine how descriptions enhance conversation through these authentic resources. The videos were prepared for intermediate and advanced level learners but could be used with novice learners as a way to introduce them to authentic language. Each video clip provides a French-language transcript and links to grammar reviews and activities for the concepts that are heard in the clip. The concepts covered include an introduction to adjectives; introduction to negations, gender, introduction to nouns, irregular adjectives, number - singular and plural, participles as adjectives, present tense, and relative pronouns.
This resource provides a large variety of authentic audio and video clips by native speakers from around the Spanish-speaking world. Clips are organized by proficiency level (beginner, novice, intermediate, advanced, and superior) and by topic. Each video clip provides resources to assist in interpretive listening activities including a Spanish language transcript, an optional English translation, a list of related vocabulary, and review of covered grammar points. These audio and video clips make it easy for students to analyze spoken language as they explore various dialects and compare language usage with their own.
This website offers direct links to 11 different Chinese language newspapers. These authentic materials in the target langauge were published for Chinese speakers and provide lots of interpretive reading practice for students as they explore current events from throughout China.
This website offers direct links to a variety of German-language newspapers from around Europe. These authentic materials in the target language were published for German speakers and provide lots of interpretative reading practice for students as they explore current events from the German-speaking world. Resources are well organized and provided from Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Liechtenstein, Luxemburg, and Switzerland.
This advanced-level Spanish project-based learning (PBL) unit challenges students to work in groups as they examine a problem, investigate the situation, and propose a solution. The unit includes a calendar pacing out each of the 8 class days required for the PBL. At the end of each class period students are provided a self-evaluation to reflect on tasks accomplished and plan for their next steps. All necessary resources regarding the presented problem as well as investigative resources are included. (Click on the Lecturas iniciales link within the resource to access a Google folder with printable resources). At the end of the lesson, students present their findings orally and in writing following the provided guidelines and rubrics. A bibliography is provided to assist students in researching the problem. This PBL specifically focuses on views toward Catalan succession in Spain.
This resource provides 3 separate video clips of French speakers, each of which illustrates the task of asking and responding to questions. Students use interpretive listening skills to identify main ideas and examine how questions are formed and used through these authentic resources. The videos were prepared for intermediate and advanced level learners but could be used with novice learners as a way to introduce them to authentic language. Each video clip provides a French-language transcript and links to grammar reviews and activities for the concepts that are heard in the clip. The concepts covered include: interrogative and exclamative quel; interrogative pronoun lequel; interrogative pronouns; interrogative words: où, quand, comment; introduction to interrogatives; questions with subject/verb inversion; yes/no questions: est-ce que, n’est-ce pas
This is a public domain Spanish language copy of Miguel Cervante's Don Quixote. This site includes an organized table of contents linking the reader to each chapter in the book, making it easy to locate the sections of the text that are recommended by the College Board for the AP Spanish Literature and Culture exam. This resource provides students an opportunity to interpret, restate, and react to what is read in the authentic written text. The text can also be used to describe the main ideas and significant details from the story.
This family and communities thematic lesson examines how technology affects families and communities while focusing on interpretative, presentational, and interpersonal skills at the intermediate, mid to intermediate-high proficiency range. Students will gather information from an authentic text and audio resource, identify main ideas, and infer the meanings of unfamiliar words. Students are guided through a series of interpersonal conversation-based tasks before presenting their findings orally or in writing.
This website offers direct links to over 30 French-language newspapers from around the globe. These authentic materials in the target language were published for French speakers and provide lots of interpretative reading practice for students as they explore current events from the French-speaking world. Resources are well organized and provided from Canada, France, Tunisia, and Switzerland
This website offers direct links to a variety of Spanish language newspapers from the United States and around the globe. These authentic materials in the target language were published for Spanish speakers and provide lots of interpretative reading practice for students as they explore current events from the Latino world. Resources are well organized and provided from Argentina, Canary Islands, Chile, Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, Venezuela, Spain, the United States and more.
