Two Easy Ways to Start with CI in Your Classroom: ClipChat & Calendar Talk
If you’re curious about using Comprehensible Input (CI) in your classroom but don’t know where to start, you’re not alone. The good news? You don’t need to change everything at once. In fact, some of the best ways to begin are super simple and can be added into your routine right away.
Here are two of my favorite ways to ease into CI: ClipChat and Calendar Talk.
1. ClipChat
ClipChat is one of the easiest and most fun ways to get started with CI. You take a short video—just a minute or two—and use it to build a conversation in the target language. The best clips are wordless or have minimal dialogue, so your students can really focus on the story and the language you’re using to talk about it.
Here’s how it works:
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Pick a short, engaging clip. Think funny commercials, Pixar shorts, or animated videos.
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Watch the video in small chunks. Pause often to describe what’s happening using simple, high-frequency words.
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Ask questions like “¿Quién es?” “¿Qué hace?” “¿Está triste o feliz?” to keep students engaged.
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Keep it light and repeat key phrases often—repetition is your friend!
- Watch it once all the way through with your class!
Students aren’t memorizing vocab lists—they’re understanding real language in context. And because the video gives them visual support, they can follow along even if they’re just starting out. Want to start with a Clip Chat? Visit this blog post with some ideas. Adriana Ramírez also has some demos on her YouTube channel.
2. Calendar Talk: A Meaningful Daily Routine
Calendar Talk is another easy way to weave CI into your class without needing to prep something new every day. It’s a simple, structured conversation that builds community and gives your students regular exposure to the language.
What it can include:
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The date and day of the week: “¿Qué día es hoy?” “¿Qué mes es?”
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The weather and how students feel: “¿Hace sol o hace frío?” “¿Cómo te sientes hoy?”
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Upcoming holidays and school events: “¿Hay una celebración esta semana?” “¿Tenemos una asamblea o excursión?” “¿Es un día especial?”
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Birthdays or anything fun happening in your students’ lives.
You can do this with a paper calendar, a pocket chart, or even slides. The key is to keep it interactive and repeat those phrases daily. Over time, your students will start using them too—without even realizing they’re doing it! Adriana Ramírez also has some demos on her YouTube channel.
Why it works:
It’s low-prep, easy to personalize, and super consistent. Even just 5 minutes a day adds up to a lot of meaningful input over the course of the year.
Keep it Simple
If you’re just getting started with CI, these two strategies are a great way to dip your toes in without feeling overwhelmed. Start with one, give it a few weeks, and go from there. You don’t need to do everything all at once. Just focus on giving your students language they can understand, enjoy, and use.
