Inside: Encanto in Spanish class activities. Resources for the Disney movie Encanto to use in Spanish class. Encanto en la clase de español.
Encanto in Spanish Class was originally published 7.12.21 by Allison Wienhold & most recently updated 4.9.25 on Mis Clases Locas.
All the Spanish teachers are so excited to see a new appropriate Disney movie set in a Spanish-speaking country. Encanto is now available to stream on Disney+ and purchase on DVD. Here are some resources that you can use to discuss the film Encanto today.
**UPDATE – Encanto movie Guide from Mis Clases Locas
OR the same Editable Encanto Movie Guide in my website shop
Encanto Synopsis
Encanto tells the tale of an extraordinary family Madrigal. The magical family lives hidden in the mountains of Colombia, in a magical house, in a vibrant town, in a wondrous, charmed place called an Encanto.
The magic of the Encanto has blessed family members with a unique gift from super strength to the power to heal-every child except one, Mirabel. But when she discovers that the magic surrounding the Encanto is in danger, Mirabel decides that she, the only ordinary Madrigal, might just be her exceptional family’s last hope. (from Disney)
Where does Encanto take place?
The 2021 Disney film Encanto is set in Colombia. The film’s setting is a work of fiction. The fictional town named Encanto is set in the mountains of Colombia
The setting for Encanto was inspired by the famous Cocora Valley and its many settlements. The valley is know for its hilly landscapes dotted with wax palm trees. These are the tallest in the world. They are prominently represented in the film Encanto.
Where to watch Encanto?
DVD – Encanto DVD link. You could also get an Encanto DVD from your pubic library to be able to rent for free
DISNEY+ – You can now find Encanto on Disney Plus as well.
Make sure you check if your DVD or rental has Spanish audio &/or Spanish subtitles. What you use depends on your goals. Go to language settings to change if you would like.
Using Encanto in Spanish Class
There is a ton of Colombian culture in Encanto. As a Spanish teacher, the rich culture plus Spanish words, makes this one of the best Disney movies for Spanish students. It is also a great way to teach about magical realism and many Spanish class-related topics.
I put together Free Encanto Google Slides Bonuses below. It includes Colombian Culture Slides. Plus there are Encanto Character Introduction Bonuses including Madrigal family tree. It is the perfect way to sneak into a unit on family vocabulary. You can use these slides in your World Languages class before watching Encanto.
I would also use some of the Encanto movie trailers below to introduce the great movie. Spending time front loading the cultural references gives a deeper understanding. Using pre-listening questions gives a chance for critical thinking. Plus it gives extra time for Spanish skills including the Spanish language.
Then, while watching the Disney’s Encanto, I have differentiated options of discussion questions. Use different activities depending on if you are focusing on language skills.
There are Spanish versions for your higher education, adult education or advanced high school settings.
There are also English movie guide questions for lowers level Spanish class.
Encanto Lesson Plans
- Introduce the culture of Colombia with my #Authres Slides
- Introduce the characters of Encanto using my Character Intro Slides. (You could then have students fill out the character chart in my movie guide)
- Watch some Encanto trailers below to introduce the magical gift
- Watch Encanto. Have students follow along with comprehensive questions from my movie guide for the optimal experience to keep them on track.
- Pause as needed to discuss or for a deeper analysis questions.
- Give a post viewing assessment if needed. (My guide has a character matching that can be used as a quick quiz).
Free Bonuses! Encanto Character Introduction Bonuses & #Authre Culture Slides
(The bonuses will be emailed to you after you sign up. It will be a force-copy Google link, so you might need to use a non-school Gmail to make a copy).
Encanto Trailers to use in Spanish Class
Here are multiple trailers you could use to introduce the film, describing in basic Spanish. Or take screenshots of the video and project them. Then have students write or discuss what they see and what they wonder. Finally, you could have students find cultural elements and then research to make predictions as well.
1st ENCANTO Teaser Trailer – 30 seconds
Encanto Trailer – español
Encanto Trailer – English
More Videos for Encanto in Spanish class
For upper-level Spanish classes, you could use some of these videos in Spanish. They would be great authentic listening comprehension related to the film.
Reaction to Encanto Trailer in Spanish
7 Curiosidades sobre Encanto
Song from Encanto – La Familia Madrigal
Song from Encanto – Colombia, Mi Encanto – Carlos Vives
Song from Encanto – Dos Oruguitas – Sebastián Yatra
Authentic Readings in Spanish about Encanto
Novice reading for Encanto in Spanish class – Authentic Tweet
More advanced authentic readings for Encanto in Spanish class
- Ya hay fecha de estreno de ‘Encanto’, película inspirada en Colombia – SINOPSIS OFICIAL – Encanto de Walt Disney Animation Studios cuenta la historia de los Madrigal, una familia extraordinaria que vive escondida en las montañas de Colombia, en una casa mágica, en un pueblo vibrante, en un lugar maravilloso conocido como un Encanto. La magia de este Encanto ha bendecido a todos los niños y niñas de la familia con un don único, desde súper fuerza hasta el poder de sanar. A todos, excepto a Mirabel. Pero cuando descubre que la magia que rodea al Encanto corre peligro, Mirabel decide que ella, la única Madrigal sin poderes mágicos, podría ser la última esperanza de su excepcional familia.
- El país – describe el póster & connection to 100 años de soledad – For upper level classes there could be a lot of discussion about the possible connections to Gabriel García Márquez and his novel.
https://twitter.com/camilaparces/status/1413133635654455296?s=20
Encanto movie Guide from Mis Clases Locas
Other Colombia in Spanish Class Resources
If you want to dig deeper and connect more with the beautiful culture of Colombia, here are some resources.
- ¡Papacito! – Spanish class reader
- Youtube Playlist from native Colombian Craig of Spanish Cuentos
- Peter va a Colombia – Spanish class reader
- My Pinterest Board for Colombia
- La Bicicleta – Song Activity with Colombia
- Experiencia Colombia Spanish Teacher PD!
Other Spanish Film Resources
If you want another film to use in your Spanish classes right now, here are some resources to save you time.
My top appropriate movies for Spanish class Blog post
How to teach a movie in Spanish Class Blog Post
Other Good Spanish Class Movies
My Movie Guide Bundle for Spanish class
Disney+ Spanish Movies
- COCO
- Wish
- Ferdinand
- McFarland USA
- show – Tierra Incógnita
- Spanish Class Documentaries
- EL LIBRO DE VIDA
Netflix Spanish Movies
- VIVO
- EL CAMINO DE XICO
- PACHAMAMA
- Going Varsity in Mariachi
- The Casagrandes Movie
- Appropriate Spanish Language Movies on Netflix
Spanish Class Movies by Theme
- Good Cinco de mayo movies
- Best Spanish Earth Day Movies
- Thanksgiving Movies for Spanish Class
- Black History Month Movies in Spanish
If you have more resources for Encanto in Spanish class, please share them in the comments and I will add them!
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