In order for students to truly master a language, they need to have ample opportunities to practice and hone their speaking ability. Víctor González, co-author of the Cambridge International AS Level Spanish Language coursebook and teacher’s resource, shares his top five suggestions for creating a truly communicative classroom with plenty of Spanish-speaking opportunities.
Speaking opportunity #1: Group debates
Promote regular group discussions and debates in your AS Level Spanish Language class. Students can be divided into groups and encouraged to debate a subject connected to the syllabus. Ensure that each student is assigned a specific role, such as facilitator, timekeeper, or notetaker.
Here is an example from the Cambridge International AS Level Spanish Language coursebook, with some guiding principles on how to approach a class debate on physical, emotional and mental wellbeing.
Speaking opportunity #2: Presentations
Regularly assign presentations on areas relevant to the syllabus and the topics in your coursebook. The potential for in-depth theme exploration will allow students to enhance their presentation and speaking skills. Encourage your students to create accompanying visual resources like a digital presentation or poster.
In this example, students are tasked with analyzing a work of art in Spanish and delivering a presentation on their chosen piece. There is detailed guidance on how to work through the activity.
Speaking opportunity #3: Role plays
Provide opportunities for students to step into the shoes of the varied people they learn about in the coursebook. Role playing gives students the chance to interact with their classmates as they answer and ask questions in character. Encourage students to also practice and apply the grammar and vocabulary learned during their conversation.
This example shows the perspective of students who have recently finished their studies. Learners can read about their experiences and then assume their point of view for a role play with a partner.
Speaking opportunity #4: Cultural discussions
Encourage students to share their experiences and understanding of Hispanic culture and society. You can assign topics such as food, music, or traditions and ask them to share their own perspectives. In doing so, they will enhance their understanding of and appreciation for the culture while expanding their vocabulary and practicing speaking skills.
Here students learn about the history and significance of the Quechua language. Thought-provoking topics such as these provide multiple opportunities for learners to discuss their perspectives.
Speaking opportunity #5: Podcasting
Assign your students the task of producing a podcast episode on your current topic of study, such as health, social relationships or artificial intelligence. Students should brainstorm ideas for their episode, develop an outline, and write a script. They can tap into their creative side as they record and edit the episode and add sound effects, music, and other elements. Share the episode with the class so they can learn from and be inspired by each other’s approaches. This activity supports your students improve their spoken Spanish proficiency and fosters creativity and critical thinking.
This article from the coursebook, discussing the MareNostrum supercomputer in Barcelona, is an example of a great topic for students to explore in their own podcast episode.
To learn more about how Cambridge University Press AS Level Spanish Language resources can support you and your learners, please visit this link. You are also invited to join our webinar next month with another co-author of the AS Level Spanish Language (8022) coursebook and teacher’s resource, Loridia Urquiza. Please click here to register.
Please note: We are working with Cambridge Assessment International Education towards endorsement of this resource. Original material © Cambridge University Press 2023. The material shown in these examples is not final and is subject to further changes prior to publication.
