Bringing Spanish to Life Through Authentic Projects Beyond the Classroom

1966 

Roundtable 

Spanish 

English 

Paula Figueroa  
Principia School

Paula Figueroa  
Principia School

This roundtable presentation explores four authentic and relevant projects carried out in a Midwest High School designed to take Spanish beyond the classroom and into real-life contexts. The session focuses on engaging students in meaningful applications of their language skills through interactive projects. These include: visiting an Spanish neighborhood and creating a linguistic landscape, preparing for and participating in a language exchange trip, writing and producing a Spanish-language telenovela to connect students with storytelling, and hosting a school-wide TedEd event entirely in Spanish. Attendees will gain insights into the planning, execution, and impact of these projects and discuss how similar approaches can be implemented in their own classrooms to enhance language learning and make it authentic and motivating.

Demonstrate how these projects align with ACTFL’s World-Readiness Standards and develop interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational skills.

Foster discussion among participants about the benefits and challenges of implementing authentic, real-life projects in their High School classrooms, and share similar experiences.

Provide actionable strategies and resources for participants to adapt and implement similar projects in their own teaching contexts.

Discover four authentic projects that bring High School Spanish to life outside the classroom, including student-created telenovelas, the exploration of a Latino neighborhood, a student-led TedEd event, and a language exchange trip. Explore practical strategies to engage teenage students of all levels in authentic, real-world language use.

Secondary

Career, Community, or Global Connections