Circle time reading is a staple in many elementary classrooms—but guess what? It totally deserves a spot in your Spanish class, no matter what grade you teach! Whether you’re in a classroom full of kindergartners or guiding middle or high schoolers reading together in a circle can be a game-changer for student engagement, classroom community, and language acquisition.
Before you gather your students in a cozy circle, take a minute to pick a story that fits their proficiency leveland where they are developmentally. You want something they can follow, enjoy, and connect with—not something that leaves them confused and overwhelm their emotional engagement, potentially raising their affective filter. A well-chosen story keeps them hooked and builds their Spanish.
Let’s break down why this simple (but powerful!) practice works so well in the world language classroom—and how you can make it work for you.
1. It Gives Students Comprehensible Input in a Natural Way
Reading aloud in Spanish gives your students the chance to hear the language in context—and when you pair it with facial expressions, gestures, and pictures, you’re giving them comprehensible input .This is how students really acquire language—by hearing it in ways that make sense to them. Hint: Explore Dr. Stephen Krashen.
2. It Builds Community and Feels Safe
There’s just something about sitting in a circle that makes students feel seen and included. There’s no “front of the class” during circle time—everyone is part of the story. And when students feel safe, they’re way more likely to take risks, and participate.
3. It Keeps Everyone Engaged
Circle time isn’t just for little kids. Middle schoolers and even high schoolers can get into it—especially when the story is fun and interactive. Think silly voices, props, or even a puppet or two. Students who might tune out during other parts of class often light up during story time.
4. It Naturally Repeats Key Vocabulary
Stories are full of repetition—and repetition is exactly what language learners need. When students hear high-frequency words and structures over and over in context, they start to stick. You’re sneaking in vocabulary practice without making it feel like drill-and-kill.
5. It Gets Them Speaking Without the Pressure
Circle time sets the stage for low-pressure speaking opportunities that feel natural and fun. After reading, students can retell the story or act it out. You can also use circling—a technique where you ask simple, repetitive questions based on the story to give every student a chance to respond in Spanish. For example, if the story says “El perro corre,” you might ask: “¿El perro corre?” (yes/no), “¿Corre el gato o el perro?” (either/or), or “¿Quién corre?” (open-ended). These quick questions give students lots of chances to hear and use the target language, without putting them on the spot. Because it’s all tied to a story they understand, it feels more like play than performance—and it really works!
Ready to Try Circle Time in Spanish Class?
You don’t need anything fancy to get started—just a good story, your students in a circle, and a willingness to have a little fun. Whether you’re using picture books, printable mini-books, or co-created stories, circle time can become one of the most joyful and effective parts of your teaching routine. I have a wide variety of stories available in my TPT store!
Teaching in the target language might feel challenging at first, but with practice, both you and your students will get used to it, and it will soon feel more natura. Below are some friendly, practical tips to help you boost immersion and keep your elementary world language classroom buzzing in the target language.
1. Use Visuals That Support Language Acquisition
Pictures and Props: A quick glance at a bright photo or a real-life object goes a long way toward clarifying meaning—no translation needed!
Gestures and Body Language: Add some flair to your teaching by using expressive gestures. Point, act things out, and let your body do some of the explaining. A lot of TPR (Total Physical Response)!
2. Build Familiar Routines
Repetitive Phrases: Choose a few go-to phrases—like “Dime” or “Hoy vamos a”—and use them consistently. Hearing the same instructions daily helps students feel comfortable and confident.
Daily Rituals: Whether it’s a greeting, a quick calendar check, or a weather report, these predictable moments give learners a familiar linguistic anchor.
3. Keep Your Language Simple
Step-by-Step Instructions: Break longer directions into bite-sized chunks. Instead of saying, ‘You will hear a story, write about it, and complete the storyboard, try:
Listen to the story.
Write about it.
Complete the storyboard.
High-Frequency Words: Focus on words your students will hear again and again. The more they hear “gracias,” “por favor,” or “¿Cómo estás?” the more natural those words feel.
4. Offer Comprehensible Input
Use Context: Your tone, facial expressions, and the situation itself are powerful clues. If you’re teaching “hot” and “cold,” hold a warm mug in one hand and an ice cube in the other!
Repeat and Reinforce: “For example, hearing the phrase “yo estoy” in your greeting, during your story, and in a song helps reinforce that word in young minds.
5. Try Circling Techniques
Varied Questions: Switch between yes/no (“¿Te gusta el azul?”), either/or (“¿Azul o rojo?”), and open-ended prompts (“¿Cuál es tu color favorito”). This keeps students thinking and engaged.
Reinforce Key Words: Every time you circle, you’re revisiting vocabulary—perfect for helping words stick.
6. Create Chances to Speak
Sentence Starters: Provide frames like “Me gusta…” or “Yo tengo…” as helpful kickoff.
Partner and Group Work: Small-group chats let students practice without the spotlight of the whole class—it’s less scary and more fun! Give them tools for it, such as chat mats or visuals in the classroom.
7. Be a Language Role Model
Think Out Loud: Share your thought process in the target language—“Hmm, ¿cómo digo ‘I need help’? ¡Ah, ‘Necesito ayuda’!” or “Estoy enciendo la computadora, pero tengo un problema. La computadora no enciende.”
Show Your Passion: When you express enthusiasm for the language, your students will feel that energy and get excited too.
8. Celebrate every attempt, big or small
Positive Reinforcement: A simple “¡Excelente!” or a word of encouragement for a great attempt goes a long way. Celebrate risk-taking, not just perfection.
By using these strategies in your daily lessons, you’ll create a fun, engaging space where students feel comfortable and excited to hear and use the target language. Whether you’re an experienced teacher or just beginning, these tips will help turn your classroom into a place for language acquisition.
I attended the NECTFL25 conference and was lucky to see Christina Margiore‘s presentation, “Keep the Conversation Going with Chat Mats.” It made me aware of all the benefits of bringing them into the classroom. I feel that Chat Mats have been an underrated teaching tool! After attending her session, I’m inspired to incorporate them more into my class. These simple yet powerful resources help create a low-stress environment where students feel more confident using the target language. Whether you teach elementary or older students, Chat Mats can be a game-changer for encouraging communication and keeping conversations flowing.
What Are Chat Mats?
Chat Mats are visual supports that provide students with key phrases, sentence starters, and vocabulary related to a specific topic or conversation structure. They can be laminated sheets, paper printouts, or even digital versions for interactive activities. The goal is to give students a scaffolded way to engage in meaningful conversations without feeling overwhelmed.
Why Use Chat Mats?
Chat Mats help reduce anxiety by giving students a safety net when speaking in the target language, making them feel more comfortable and less afraid of making mistakes. They also encourage authentic conversations by allowing students to mix and match sentence stems rather than relying on memorized dialogues. Additionally, they provide structured support, especially for younger learners who benefit from visuals and key phrases to help them communicate their thoughts. Best of all, Chat Mats are highly adaptable—you can use them for different themes, grammar structures, or cultural discussions, making them a versatile tool for any language class.
How to Use Chat Mats in Class
Here are a few easy ways to incorporate them into your lessons:
Partner Conversations – Give each student a Chat Mat and have them take turns asking and answering questions.
Role-Playing Activities – Assign students different roles and scenarios, using the Chat Mats as a guide.
Exit Tickets – Before leaving class, students can use their Chat Mats to share something they learned or a sentence they created.
Small-Group Discussions – Use Chat Mats to guide students through a structured discussion related to your lesson’s theme.
Storytelling – Have students use their Chat Mats to describe characters, settings, or events in a story.
Weekend Chat Mat
Ready to give it a try? Download this weekend Chat Mat to start using it with your elementary or novice level students right away!
Chat Mats are one of those tools that help students feel successful while making your job easier. They support language production, build confidence, and keep students engaged in conversation. If you haven’t tried using them yet, give them a go and see how well they work!
Using a magic box works with any grade level. It’s a wonderful way to deliver comprehensible input while keeping students curious and engaged. This tool helps reinforce vocabulary and encourages speaking in a fun way. I like using a song to build anticipation before introducing the magic box. You can find the song in this post.
Here are eight creative ways to incorporate it into your lessons:
1. Introduce Vocabulary
Fill your magic box with objects related to your lesson theme, like animals, food, or seasonal items. Pull out each object and describe it in the target language:
“¡Mira! Hay una manzana roja.”
“Es un oso pequeño. ¿Te gusta?” Encourage students to repeat phrases or respond with simple sentences.
2. Play a Guessing Game
Place an item in the magic box and give students clues in the target language:
“Es un animal. Es grande. Es de color blanco y negro. Dice “Muuu”. ¿Qué animal es? Take a few guesses before revealing the answer!
3. Storytelling with Props
Turn the magic box into a storytelling tool. Start with: “Había una caja mágica…” Reveal items one by one to build a story. For example, a wand, a frog, or a hat can inspire creative narratives. If students have enough vocabulary, they can add their own ideas in the target language to expand the story.
4. Create a Daily Mystery Box Routine
Make the magic box part of your daily or weekly lessons. Reveal one item each day and connect it to your theme:
“Hoy en la caja mágica hay una estrella. ¿Qué más tiene estrellas?”
5. Categorization Activities
Sort objects from the magic box into categories like colors, sizes, or emotions:
“¿Es grande o pequeño? ¡Es pequeño!”
“¿Es feliz o triste? ¡Es feliz!”
6. Interactive Commands
Add movement by incorporating actions:
“En la caja mágica hay un sombrero. ¡Ponte el sombrero!”
“Hay una pelota. ¡Tira la pelota!”
7. Hidden Questions
Include question cards or mini tasks in the box. For example:
“¿Cómo te llamas?”
“Salta tres veces.” Students take turns pulling cards and responding.
8. Themed Explorations
Match box contents to specific themes:
Seasons: Leaves, mittens, or snowflakes for winter.
Animals: Plush toys or pictures.
Holidays: Small symbols of cultural celebrations.
The magic box is a simple yet effective tool for bringing excitement, curiosity, and meaningful input to your lessons. Whether you’re introducing new vocabulary, building stories, or creating themed lessons, this activity keeps students engaged and participating in the target language. Try it in your classroom and watch the magic happen!
Let me start with my own story! ONCE UPON A TIME… I used to be a teacher who relied heavily on vocabulary lists and checklists of what my students needed to memorize. For example, my third graders were required to name five fruits, five animals, school supplies, and places in the community, among other things. All these vocabulary words were disconnected and lacked context. I also expected my students to remember these words indefinitely and use them the following year. This often left me feeling frustrated, and I blamed my students for not retaining words they had only heard during the fruit unit.
Everything changed when I started teaching with stories. I began to focus on high-frequency and useful phrases and language. Instead of just concentrating on the five-word fruit unit, I told stories where students not only learned the names of the fruits but also how to express likes and dislikes while following a plot in the target language. These stories were simple, engaging, and provided the necessary repetition for my students to acquire the language, not just learn it.
As a teacher, I felt my teaching toolkit was rejuvenated. I discovered different ways to bring stories to life for my students—through pictures, short clips, picture books, co-creating stories, songs, or short stories I created for them. I didn’t switch to teaching with stories overnight. I started gradually, and with practice, I became more confident in integrating more stories into the various grades I teach. Now, I can proudly say that my curriculum is 90% story-based.
I remember that the first story I told my students was the picture book Froggy Gets Dressed (Froggy se viste). I first read the story and then retold it using props. The story was so repetitive that by the end, they were repeating it with me. From there, I started incorporating more and more stories, and now I have a full repertoire.
The best part of teaching with stories is that it gives you the flexibility and creativity to make language acquisition an enjoyable process for your students. Your students are more likely to acquire the language when they experience it in context, which makes all the difference. Bringing stories to your students can also broaden their horizons and allow them to learn about themselves and others because through stories, you can also bring culture and teach life lessons. Stories naturally incorporate varied vocabulary and grammar, providing a meaningful context for language use.
Are you ready to start using stories in your classroom? Remember to start little by little, ensure that you feel connected to the story, and practice before bringing it to class! And remember, it doesn’t have to be perfect; with practice, you’ll become more confident and proficient at telling stories!
As an elementary Spanish teacher with limited class time, finding ways to keep students engaged and motivated is key so we can get the most out of our time together, and as a teacher, I’m able to support and facilitate their language acquisition journey better.
Here are some useful tips to keep your students’ motivation going:
Understand the age group you are teaching
I highly recommend the “Yardsticks” book by Responsive Classroom, which outlines developmental traits and interests of children according to their age.
Understand the proficiency level of your students
This will help you develop goals that support their acquisition journey. Visit the ACTFL website to download the updated Proficiency Guidelines.
Make sure that your activities support the different modes of communication
Remember that students acquire language at different paces and that in one class you might have students who are at different proficiency levels. Including activities with different communication modes ( Interpersonal, Interpretative and Presentational) will reach out to different students.
Connect with your students
Building a strong teacher-student bond should extend beyond the initial weeks of the school year. Continuously engage with your students by learning about their interests, hobbies, and family celebrations, and incorporate these aspects into your lessons. Bring topics that are relevant to their age group too!
Use Comprehensible Input
Students need to be able to understand the language, but also the language have to be challenging to support and help students move beyond their current proficiency level. Not only comprehensible input but also compelling! Making sure that the input is interesting for the students. Visit Dr. Stephen Krashen’s website to read more about comprehensible input. You can also explore comprehensible input strategies and methods in this post.
Use Stories
Stories are super useful for teaching languages because they make learners feel things, give them real-life situations to learn from, show them how people actually talk, help them connect emotionally, and demonstrate different ways to use language. All of this makes learning easier and more comfortable. After listening to stories, students can act out scenes or pretend to be characters, which keeps them interested and involved.
Use Games
Bring games to your classes, especially non-competitive games .Explore options like memory games and bingo, which integrate vocabulary, phrases, or story sentences. These activities are easy to set up and can even be tailored to your students’ preferences. Movement-based games like Four Corners and A mí también add an extra layer of fun. Additionally, Total Physical Response (TPR) games such as Follow the Leader, Simon Says, and Charades are highly effective for language learning. Find different types of game in this blog!
