Spanish music is a vibrant and diverse art form that has captured the hearts of people all over the world. In the classroom, Spanish music can be a fun and engaging way to introduce high school students to the Spanish language and culture. Not only does listening to music help students pick up vocabulary and pronunciation, but it can also provide a context for practicing listening and speaking skills.
Below are some of the most popular Spanish songs and activities that can be used in the classroom to bring a touch of excitement and creativity to your Spanish lessons. Whether you’re looking to get your students up and dancing or simply provide a fun way to practice their language skills, this list has something for everyone.
Please review each song and video before using it in class and decide if it is appropriate for your students’ age groups.
10 Class Activities for High School Students Using Popular Spanish Songs
1. Y no hago más na’ by El Gran Combo: Spanish Song to Practice Reflexive Verbs
You can use all the activities or pick only the ones suitable for your classes. Includes:
- Cloze activity with word bank
- Cloze activity without word bank
- Reflexive Verbs Match
- A/B Oral Activity
- Reflexive Verbs Written Exercise
- Song’s Vocabulary Bilingual Match
These teacher’s handouts are also included:
- Full Song Lyrics
- Song’s Notes (Aclaración de Conceptos)
- Answer Key for All Worksheets
What other teachers have said about this activity:
“My level 2 Spanish students loved this to learn reflexive verbs! The pictures went very well and allowed me to differentiate for different types of learners.” –Jessica S.
“Did this for an edTPA activity and it went extremely well. There are so many differentiations within this activity. Great resource!” –Sra. Castillo
“Awesome resource to practice the reflexive verbs with my Spanish 2 students! They enjoyed this activity. Thanks!” – Paola M.
“This is a great resource with a couple of different activities to reinforce learning reflexive verbs and using the song. Very thorough with all answer keys included.” – Mandy R.
With this song, your students will practice names of the Spanish-speaking countries or países de habla hispana by filling in the blanks digitally in the same document.
It’s also a great DANCE SONG to get students motivated and moving!
This Spanish song cloze activity includes two versions, the video link, and a short artist bio. Choose the version that is most suitable for your student’s level.
What other teachers have said about this activity:
“A great song to tie in the study of geography at the beginning of the year!” – Janice V.
3. ¿Adónde vas? by Jarabe de Palo: Spanish Song to Practice the Verb IR in the Present
Activity pack where you can use all the activities or pick only the ones suitable for your classes.
- Cloze activity with word bank
- Cloze activity without word bank
- Verb IR in the Present
- Vocabulary Bilingual Match
- Where you and others are going (1)
- Where you and others are going (2)
- How you and others are going
- Ir + a + Infinitive
What other teachers have said about this activity:
“Works great for my “canción de la semana” activity!” – Heidi S.
This song pack includes 6 activities. You can use all activities or pick some of them according to your students and class needs.
- Cloze activity with word bank
- Cloze activity without word bank
- Cognates Written Practice
- Memory Match Game
- Gerund and Infinitive Written Exercise
- Gerund, Present or Infinitive Verb Practice
These teacher’s handouts are also included:
- Full Song Lyrics
- Cognates Written Practice Quizlet
- Memory Match Game Quizlet
- Answer Key for All Worksheets
- Cognate List by Dallas Independent School District
NOTE: This song contains vocabulary that may not be adequate for some ages (beer, tequila, etc.). Although the developed activities in this packet do not reference these words, the teacher should review the song lyrics and activities before using them in class.
What other teachers have said about this activity:
“Loved it! Was a great way to differentiate for my spanish 1 class (cognates) and my spanish 2 class (gerunds). Thanks” – Ana Maria D.
5. Tengo tu Love by Sie7e: Spanish Song to Practice the Verb TENER and Comparisons
Super popular Spanish class activity pack with a song to use around Valentine’s Day! This pack includes:
- Cloze activity with word bank
- Cloze activity without word bank
- Vocabulary
- Match The Images with the Phrases
- Listening Comprehension
- A/B Oral Activity
- Verb TENER Conjugation
- Comparatives
- Song Notes
What other teachers have said about this activity:
“Thank you for the resource. My students love miércoles de música. This was a popular song with my students!” – Sra B
“This song (and the video) are so charming! I love that there are a variety of activities so that you could come back to this song multiple times for different pop-up grammar practices.” – Katelynn J.
“Excellent, authentic way to practice tener. The students loved it and were singing it for days.” – Amy W.
6. A Dios Le Pido by Juanes: Spanish Song to Practice the Present Subjunctive
With this song in Spanish, your students will practice the present subjunctive or presente subjuntivo by filling in the blanks digitally in the same document.
This Spanish song cloze activity includes three versions, the video link, and a short artist bio. Choose the version that is most suitable for your student’s level.
What teachers said about this activity:
“I used this resource for Level 3 and 4 students. I teach hybrid and it was a perfect lesson to incorporate culture, music, and grammar practice. Está perfecto y lo recomiendo.” -K. Sabattini.
“I am a private Spanish tutor and I love incorporating music into my lessons. My adult students who are practicing subjunctive really loved this song. Great resource!” -L.M. Spanish Lessons
7. Chocolate by Jesse y Joy: Spanish Song to Practice Food Vocabulary and More
With the activities we created around Chocolate by Jesse & Joy your students can practice cooking verbs (such as derretir, probar and sazonar), identify metaphors and learn about the history of chocolate. This class activity pack includes:
- Cloze activity with word bank
- Cloze activity without word bank
- Vocabulary Bilingual Match
- Metaphors
- Bakery Food Vocabulary Review Handout
- Bakery Food Vocabulary Worksheet (Optional)
- Visual Interpretation Food Vocabulary (Baking)
- El chocolate: Enrichment Videos
- Video: El origen de la palabra chocolate (and video transcript).
What other teachers have said about this activity:
“Perfect for Valentine’s Day. Thank you” – Kelly Marie E.
“This was stuck in our heads all week!” -J.C
“Love the videos about the origin of chocolate.” -Brannon B.
8. La historia de Juan by Juanes: Spanish Song to Practice the Preterite
An awesome class activity pack that allows you to choose the activities you want depending on your classes and groups of students. Includes:
- Intro Activity
- Cloze activity w/ word bank – Vocabulary
- Cloze activity wo/ word bank – Vocabulary
- Cloze activity w/ word bank – Preterite
- Cloze activity wo/ word bank – Preterite
- Cloze activity – Preterite Conjugation
- Preterite -AR Verbs
- Preterite Irregular Verbs
- Randomizer Preterite Verb Conjugation Game
- Listening Comprehension
9. Gratitud by Fonseca: Spanish Song to Practice Listening Comprehension
This activity pack includes:
- Cloze activity with word bank
- Cloze activity without word bank
- Vocabulary
- Listening Comprehension
- Querer + Infinitive
- The Seasons
What other teachers have said about this activity:
“I used this on the last day before Thanksgiving break with my Middle School Spanish 1 Students. I was looking for something that would get them focused on gratitude instead of just turkey, and this was perfect! It was a great, authentic resource. The students enjoyed the song and were very engaged competing to see who could comprehend the most things that the singer was thankful for as the song played. The vocabulary introduction was helpful. We did not have time to use all of the resources during our class but I am glad to have something that can be used next year too. It was a perfect, no prep activity that students enjoyed on the last day before break!” -Gail M.
“Great low-prep activity that I incorporated to a choice music activity for students before (the) break.” -Justina M.
“My students and I loved this product! I used it for my formal observation and my principal loved too!!” -Magda F.
10. Bonito by Jarabe de Palo: Spanish Song to Practice the Present Indicative
This is one of the most popular songs in Jarabe de Palo’s career and it is a great practice of the present indicative. The adjectives bonito and bonita are repeated throughout the whole song and your students can practice the gender agreement with the lyrics. Includes:
- Cloze activity with key in infinitive
- Cloze activity with word bank
- Cloze activity without word bank
- Intro Activity
- Vocabulary
- Gender Agreement
- Present and Infinitive Verbs
- Present Indicative
- Present Indicative (Writing)
Click here for more songs in Spanish.
