Spanish for Beginners: Conversation & Culture

World Language Workshop

Ages 11-15

Begin your Spanish journey through an interactive introduction to language and culture. This beginner-level course is designed for middle and high school students who want to build basic Spanish communication skills in a fun, supportive environment.

For students who want to extend their learning or build high school credit, optional at-home practice and enrichment activities will be provided. Lessons will be inspired and structured using resources including Breaking the Spanish Barrier, Vamos, and ULAT to support continued practice beyond class.

Students will explore high-frequency vocabulary, practice simple sentence structures, and develop confidence using Spanish in everyday conversations. Through games, guided practice, interactive activities, and cultural exploration, students will begin building the skills needed to understand and communicate in Spanish.

During class, students can expect to:

• Learn commonly used Spanish vocabulary and phrases

• Practice basic conversation skills through partner activities and group interactions

• Build simple sentences using foundational Spanish structures

• Explore Spanish-speaking cultures through engaging activities and discussions

• Participate in games and practice activities designed to make language learning approachable and memorable

By the end of the course, students will:

• Develop a foundation of beginner Spanish vocabulary and conversational skills

• Understand and use common words & phrases

• Gain confidence listening to and speaking introductory Spanish

• Increase awareness and appreciation of Spanish-speaking cultures

• Build strategies for continuing their Spanish learning beyond the classroom

No prior Spanish experience is required for students 11+. Familiarity with basic parts of speech in English (such as nouns, verbs, and adjectives) is helpful.

Meet your Instructor: Sandy Sobenes is an experienced bilingual Spanish-English educator, a homeschooling mom, and a native Spanish speaker.