Rejoinders are those quick little phrases we naturally use to keep a conversation going. Think of them as the small but mighty expressions that add energy and flow to what we’re saying. They help our students sound more like real speakers—and honestly, they bring a little magic into class conversations!

They’re usually short, spontaneous responses like “¡Qué bien!”, “¡Ay no!”, or “¡Qué chévere!”—things native speakers throw into conversations without thinking twice. When we teach rejoinders with intention, we help our students respond in ways that feel more natural and confident. It makes a huge difference!

I like to keep it simple by introducing just one rejoinder at a time. Once we’ve practiced it and it feels familiar, I post it on our word wall or bulletin board as a reminder. There’s no need to overwhelm students with a long list of expressions they won’t actually use. I recommend sticking to ones that come naturally to you, because chances are you’ll model them more often. For example, I say “¡Qué chévere!” all the time, so that’s one of the first rejoinders I teach and post in class.

It’s all about building those small habits that make a big impact in how our students interact in Spanish. One little phrase at a time!

Feeling inspired to use rejoinders with your elementary students? Click HERE to download a few!