Do you ever walk into class determined to speak in Spanish, only to find yourself reverting to English to explain directions or correct classroom behavior? If you’re a Spanish teacher trying to stay in the target language more consistently, you’re not alone. Whether it’s your first year or your fifteenth, it can feel like a big shift to keep things 90%+ in Spanish while still managing student engagement, behavior, and comprehension. The good news? You don’t have to be a native speaker or a TPRS expert to build a strong target language classroom. You just need the right tools, a few class routines, and a little flexibility. Here are 10 practical suggestions to help world language teachers use more Spanish from bell to bell—with some easy ways to build in support for your world language classroom.
10 Tips to Stay in the Target Language
1. Use Word Walls (Including Super 7 Verbs and Cognates)
Use Word Walls (Including Super 7 Verbs and Cognates)
Word walls are a great way to surround students with Spanish every day and build their language skills and confidence from day one. Start with high-frequency verbs and Spanish cognates that students can recognize easily. I love to highlight the “Super 7” verbs in big, bold letters that stay up all year long. It becomes second nature for students to reference them for support.Try this set of Spanish cognates and classroom posters here.
2. Go Slow
This is probably the best advice I ever received. Don’t just talk in Spanish—pause, gesture, rephrase, and check for comprehension. Repeating a single word three times, using visuals, or asking students to give a thumbs up if they understand helps build trust and boosts language acquisition.
3. Act It Out
Want a surefire way to increase student engagement and laughter? Act out your input! Grab a student volunteer, narrate actions using the target language, or bring in a prop (even a stuffed animal) to act out a story. You’ll get lots of smiles and more language buy-in.
4. Draw to Demonstrate Comprehension
Drawing is a great way to assess understanding without requiring students to use their first language. One of my favorite low-prep tools is a Spanish glyph, where students read short passages and draw based on what they comprehend. This is such an easy way to build comprehensible inpout into your lesson and boost their reading skills. And, you will be surprised at how much your high school students, not just middle school students, love drawing to show off their Spanish skills! Try this Spanish glyph reading comprehension activity here.
5. Designate a Dictionary Point Person
Instead of stopping class to translate a word, appoint one student per day as the “dictionary detective.” If a student doesn’t understand a Spanish word, they signal the point person, who quietly looks it up and reports back. It keeps the momentum going without pulling you into English.
6. Create an English Corner
Have a designated spot in your room where students can ask questions in English or post notes when absolutely necessary. By keeping English confined to one area, you’re giving students a lifeline without derailing your comprehensible input.
7. Lay Off Lengthy Grammar Explanations
You don’t need to ditch grammar altogether—but keep it short and sweet. Pop-up grammar explanations (quick notes or visuals that pop up during reading) are an easy way to build awareness without overwhelming students.Check out these Sweet 16 verb notes and grammar support activities.
8. Create a Routine
Consistent routines are everything in a target language classroom, especially to help you maintain classroom management. When students know what to expect at the beginning of the year, it sets the tone for success. Use the same class starters, check-ins, or speaking structures daily. This helps students self-assess, builds confidence, and reduces anxiety.
9. Calendar Talk
Start the class period with Calendar Talk to introduce new words, discuss birthdays, holidays, and events in the target culture. This is a great way to sneak in past and future tenses, key phrases, and build classroom community.Explore this editable Spanish Calendar Talk PowerPoint with movable pieces. Or try these Spanish holidays and calendar posters to decorate and teach.
10. Use Stories and Context
Stories are the heart of comprehensible input. Context helps students learn new language without relying on their first language. Telling or reading short stories that include high-frequency verbs and repeated structures is an easy way to stay in Spanish and keep students hooked. Plus, it makes a great sub plan, too! These short stories with built-in reading comprehension activities are a lifesaver.
“I am brand new to CI and TPRS and this saved me so much time! I can focus on doing all the acting and making the stories engaging, while the stories are already made for me. Gracias!” – Emily K.
✨ Low or No-Prep Extension Activities
Looking for ways to stretch your class period, reinforce a Spanish word or phrase, or prep for a sub day? Try these no-prep or low-prep extension ideas:
- Students draw a comic strip version of a story.
- Pair students for a 3-question conversation using new words.
- Have students summarize a reading with emojis.
- Use a stuffed animal to retell a story from its perspective.
- Write an alternate ending using only key phrases from the word wall.
These quick add-ons can extend learning, fill those last minutes at the end of class, or work as a meaningful sub plan.
Teaching in the target language isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress. Even if you add just one new strategy next day, you’re building toward a more immersive, more joyful experience for your students—and for yourself.
So take it slow, act it out, and let your students surprise you. This year, let’s make the target language the star of the show.
Happy teaching!
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Quick Trick for Keeping Your Class in the Target Language
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