In learning a language, there are 4 main components: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. All 4 are of equal importance, however, when developing one’s communicative skills the specific focus will be on listening and speaking. When students are asked at the beginning of the year what their goal is for Spanish class, 9 out of 10 say they want to be able to hold a fluent conversation. So as a teacher the goal then becomes to develop the most effective Spanish speaking lesson to help them learn the necessary skills for communication.
In creating a Spanish speaking lesson, it is important to remember what outcome you are seeking. For most teachers, it is that students can communicate in the Spanish language. Students need to feel comfortable speaking Spanish, so often times as a teacher you may need to forego making corrections to grammar and pronunciation until later. When communication in Spanish is the focus, it is easier for the students to engage in speaking activities without worrying about making grammar mistakes or mispronouncing words.
To help facilitate communication in Spanish, there is not just one type of Spanish speaking lesson that can be offered. Initially, it is common to use a simple question and answer format that is teacher initiated, and then turn the responsibility over to the students to continue. This is beneficial in the earlier levels of Spanish, where students are just beginning to learn the language, and new vocabulary is being introduced. At the higher levels, students should be responsible for creating their own questions and forming their own responses.
While you may be excited that your students are communicating in Spanish, and they will be too, don’t forget about the importance of pronunciation! While in the initial phases of language learning students may be focused on producing words and phrases, it is still very important that they understand the functions of Spanish as well as proper pronunciation so as not to be misunderstood when speaking. One way students can improve their pronunciation is to listen to native speakers, both online and through television programs. Songs are easily incorporated into almost any Spanish speaking lesson and students tend to pronounce words better and increase their knowledge of the vocabulary with music. Check out YouTube for authentic songs as well as some teacher-created songs to reinforce vocabulary and pronunciation.
In the end, whatever Spanish speaking lesson you introduce to your students should focus on the students being able to produce the language. Choosing topics that are of interest to your students will insure that they are more engaged and willing to participate. Most importantly, have fun!
What are your tips for a new teacher creating a Spanish lesson plan?
Check out these other articles about Spanish Lessons.
