¡No me digas! Boost Spanish Learning with a Weekly Phrase - Joyful Journeys in Language Learning

Hey there, Joyful Journey Makers! Let’s talk about a simple yet powerful way to boost language acquisition in your Spanish classroom: the Phrase of the Week. Incorporating a new phrase each week helps students not only learn language but also gain deeper cultural appreciation. Language is more than words—it’s a window into how people express themselves, share ideas, and connect with others. By featuring fun, everyday expressions, we help students build curiosity and excitement, all while opening up conversations about how language reflects culture.

Let’s explore how having a Phrase of the Week strengthens language learning, deepens cultural appreciation, and gives students something to look forward to each week. Plus, I’ll share 10 easy tips for using the Phrase of the Week in your classroom, at home, and throughout the school. Then, I’ll introduce my Cactus-Themed Phrase of the Week product, which includes fun phrases and examples of how I’ve seen students use them outside of class!

How a Phrase of the Week Helps Students Appreciate Culture

Language and culture are deeply intertwined, and a Phrase of the Week is a fantastic way to explore this relationship. When students learn phrases like “No me digas” (You don’t say!) or “Me gusta aprender cosas nuevas” (I like to learn new things), they’re not just expanding their vocabulary—they’re diving into the way Spanish speakers express themselves.

Here’s why it’s so impactful:

Bridging Cultural Gaps: Every language has its own unique ways of expressing surprise, asking for help, or sharing enthusiasm. By learning these expressions, students begin to see the world from the perspective of Spanish speakers, building empathy and cultural understanding. A phrase like “Ser bilingüe es un superpoder” resonates differently when students understand the value placed on language learning in many cultures.

Real-Life Application: These phrases aren’t just for the classroom—they are used in everyday conversations by native speakers! When students learn phrases like “Qué interesante” (How interesting!) or “Ayúdame, por favor” (Help me, please), they can connect those phrases to real-world situations. This exposure opens the door for conversations about how language reflects social norms, humor, and regional differences.

Encouraging Curiosity: One of my favorite moments as a teacher is seeing students excited about what phrase they’ll learn next. When students encounter expressions like “Vámonos” (Let’s go) or “Me da buena onda” , it sparks curiosity about how Spanish speakers use language to communicate everyday thoughts and emotions. This excitement builds a natural connection to the language, fueling their desire to learn more.

Fun Examples from My Classroom

I’ve had so much fun watching students use these phrases outside of formal class time. Here are a few examples of how I’ve seen my students bring their Spanish learning into real-world interactions:

One student, after finishing an assignment early, walked over and confidently asked, “¿Te ayudo?” (Can I help you?). I could tell they were excited to put the phrase into action!
During recess, a group of students who’d just learned the phrase “¡Qué chévere!” (That’s so cool!) were using it to compliment each other’s jump-rope tricks.
And my favorite: Students shouting “Vámonos!” (Let’s go!) as we lined up for the end of the day, clearly enjoying their new vocabulary and its relevance to their daily routine.

These moments highlight how learning phrases that feel relevant and fun helps students feel connected to the language and excited to use it outside of the classroom.

10 Easy Tips for Implementing a Phrase of the Week

Here are some practical, easy-to-implement tips for using a Phrase of the Week in your classroom and at home:

Start Each Day with the Phrase: Kick off each morning by introducing the new phrase. Have students repeat it together, and ask them to think of different ways they can use it throughout the week.
Phrase of the Day Challenge: Encourage students to use the phrase in as many conversations as possible. Award points or small prizes to those who use it creatively in class discussions.
Cultural Context: Spend time discussing the cultural relevance of the phrase. For example, with “Qué interesante”, you can talk about how expressing curiosity is valued in Spanish-speaking cultures.
At-Home Connection: Send a note or an email home explaining the Phrase of the Week and encouraging families to use it in their conversations. This helps create a bridge between home and school learning.
Phrase Posters Around the School: Display the Phrase of the Week outside your classroom or in common areas like the library or cafeteria. The more exposure students have, the more likely they are to remember it!
Role-Playing Activities: Have students act out scenarios where the phrase would be used in real life. For example, they could role-play asking for help in a store using “Ayúdame, por favor.”
Phrase of the Week Journal: Give students a journal to write the phrase, translate it, and use it in different sentences. At the end of the week, they can reflect on how often they used the phrase and in what contexts.
Phrase Hunt: Post the phrase in different parts of the classroom. Challenge students to find it and say it aloud when they do. It’s a fun way to keep them engaged with the language throughout the day.
Interactive Bulletin Board: Dedicate a space to the Phrase of the Week where students can contribute sentences using the phrase. It keeps the phrase top of mind and allows students to show off their creativity.
End-of-Day Review: Before the day ends, ask students to reflect on how they used the phrase during the day. This simple reflection helps solidify their learning and keeps the language fresh in their minds.

Get Your Resource: Cactus-Themed Phrase of the Week Product: Fun and Ready to Go!

Looking for a way to bring this idea to life in your classroom? My Cactus-Themed Phrase of the Week resource is just what you need. This no-prep set includes 52 phrases (one for every week!) that will keep your students excited and engaged.

What’s Included:

5 Colorful “Phrase of the Week” Mini Posters: Each measuring 11″ x 6″, perfect for creating a dedicated Phrase of the Week display.
52 Weekly Phrases: From everyday classroom expressions to fun phrases like “¡Qué chévere!” (That’s so cool!) and “Ser bilingüe es un superpoder” (Being bilingual is a superpower), these cards are designed to build vocabulary and cultural appreciation.

How to Display and Use the Phrases:

Phrase of the Week Board: Use Velcro to attach the phrase to a bulletin board, so it’s easy to swap out each week. You can also add photos or student drawings that relate to the phrase for a more interactive display.
Phrase Jar: At the end of each week, place the phrase in a jar. At the end of the month, you can have students pull a phrase from the jar and use it in a conversation or skit.
Whiteboard Display: Write the Phrase of the Week at the top of your whiteboard and encourage students to write examples of how they can use it underneath throughout the week.
End-of-Day Reflection: Use the phrase as a reflection tool at the end of each day. Ask students to share how they used the phrase and what they learned from it.

The Gist of it All

Ready to spark curiosity and cultural connections in your Spanish classroom? Grab my Cactus-Themed Phrase of the Week resource and watch your students light up with excitement as they explore new phrases each week—building both their language skills and cultural appreciation.

Resources

Language acquisition: An overview. Colorín Colorado. (2020, February 18). https://www.colorincolorado.org/article/language-acquisition-overview

Lewis, R. (2020, November 4). What is comprehensible input and why does it matter for language learning?. Leonardo English. https://www.leonardoenglish.com/blog/comprehensible-input

Tower. (2024, June 19). 11 creative ways to celebrate cultural diversity in the classroom. Continental Educational Publisher. https://www.continentalpress.com/blog/cultural-diversity-in-the-classroom/?srsltid=AfmBOoo9PIcoKIEwRIBWqUVREnqx2eui0ZuIATxGrUa5g0iox7RiTJAQ

Will, M., & Najarro, I. (2023, March 24). What is culturally responsive teaching?. Education Week. https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/culturally-responsive-teaching-culturally-responsive-pedagogy/2022/04