Inside: Resources for the 2015 Disney movie McFarland USA to use in Spanish class. McFarland: Sin límites en la clase de español. Spanish movie questions for McFarland USA & McFarland USA movie guide in Spanish.
McFarland USA is a beloved Disney+ movie that is perfect for Spanish class. Set in a small southern California town, it tells the story of a high school cross-country team composed of mostly Latino students who overcome significant obstacles. Here are some resources that you can use to discuss McFarlad USA the movie in Spanish class today.
If you want to get right to the no-prep McFarland USA Worksheets
- McFarland USA Movie Questions Worksheet from my store
- McFarland USA Movie Questions from TPT
McFarland USA (2015) McFarland: Sin límites
- PG, 2 hours & 5 minutes
- Drama, Live Action, Sports, Based on a True Story
- Themes for Spanish Class – immigration, Mexican-American identity, sports, quinceñera, migrant farming, family
- McFarland USA is available to watch on Disney+, DVD, Blue Ray(Spanish/English) & Digital (#af link & this version is only in English FYI). Or check your local library for a free DVD to borrow. Make sure to always look for what languages of audio and subtitles depending on what you want to use.
Why McFarland USA?
My history with this film goes back to 2015 when it was first released. A group of my Spanish 4 students came in one day SO excited to tell me about all of the Spanish culture in the new movie they watched at the theater over the weekend, McFarland USA.
We were in the middle of reading Cajas de Cartón and they stated it fit perfectly and I now agree. They both are based on real stories of children growing up Mexican-American in Southern California. The deep theme of migrant farming and Chicano identity is a part of both McFarland USA & Cajas de Cartón.
Also, we used the theme song of the movie Juntos by Juanes in our 2015 mania musical – March Music Madness bracket and it won.
Where to use McFarland USA in your Spanish Curriculum
Once McFarland USA was out on DVD, I purchased it to use in class at my new school. That year I paired McFarland USA with my Cajas de Cartón – short story unit in Spanish 4. I blogged about using the film in that post, but never blogged any deeper or shared any resources. In that unit, I also included the film Abused The Postville Raid. (*This was very specific & close to our Iowa town. If you would prefer you could substitute A Million Miles Away).
Additionally, when I taught the novel Fiesta Fatal in Spanish 2, I paired McFarland USA. This was due in large part to the quinceñera scene in McFarland. Also, they both have themes of Mexican-American identity, immigration, and family relationships. Since I have changed which novels and films I use at each level of my Curriculum for Spanish 1-4 you could use this movie in many places.
McFarland USA would be an amazing film to use for Hispanic Heritage Month in Spanish class. It could also be used to highlight & celebrate Mexican heritage around Cinco de mayo.
What is McFarland USA about?
Inspired by the 1987 true story, “McFarland, USA” follows novice runners from McFarland, an economically challenged town in California’s farm-rich Central Valley. The Spanish title is McFarland: Sin límites. They give their all to build a cross-country team under the direction of Coach Jim White, a newcomer to their predominantly Latino high school.
Coach White and the McFarland students have much to learn about each other. Beyond their running ability, the power of family relationships, their unwavering commitment to one another, and their incredible work ethic. With grit and determination, the unlikely band of runners eventually overcomes the odds to forge a championship cross-country team. Along the way, Coach White realizes that his family found a place to call home and both he and his team achieve their kind of American dream. (from Disney Movies)
What ages is McFarland USA appropriate for?
McFarland USA is rated PG. It is a feel-good, underdog story made by Disney. I would use the movie with 5th grade on up in Spanish class. Common Sense Media says Mcfarland USA is a “Poignant story about Latino runners, a winner for families.” They suggest the film for ages 10+.
In the parental warning by Common Sense Media, it says there are a few mature themes regarding class and privilege. There are fist fights, a possible suicide attempt, a knife fight that lands a couple of kids in the hospital, and a father who’s aggressive toward his family. There is also social beer drinking at the quinceñera.
But, there are also many positive messages about teamwork, cooperation, and community. Coach White isn’t perfect but has good intentions and is devoted to his runners. The portrayal of the students and their families is nuanced and uplifting. Most of the boys have hardworking, loving, intergenerational families.
For Spanish class, McFarland USA has themes of Mexican-American identity, sports, quinceñeras, migrant farming, immigration, 1st generation kids, and family. You see them make tamales as a fundraiser. Also, there are many fun 1980s Mexican-American pop culture including low riders, cholo fashion, and music.
McFarland USA Trailers to Use in Spanish Class
Here are multiple trailers to introduce McFarland USA or McFarland: Sin límites. You could mute the trailer and describe it 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.
McFarland: Sin límites – Primer tráiler
English audio with Spanish subtitles.
McFarland: Sin Límites Short Trailer
English audio & Spanish subtitles.
More Videos for McFarland in Spanish class
For upper-level classes, you could use some of these videos in Spanish. They would be great for authentic listening comprehension related to the film.
Juanes – Juntos (Together) (From “McFarland, USA”)
Juntos is one of my favorite Juanes songs and videos for Spanish class. It won our 1st ever mania musical – March Music Bracket in 2015. The music video includes scenes from the film and would make a great song lesson to accompany the film.
Los verdaderos protagonistas de la película McFarland Noticias Telemundo
An upper-level interview in Spanish with the real brothers featured in the movie. This would be a great companion activity for Heritage or upper-level Spanish students.
McFarland, USA: Crítica de cine: 3 temas latinos en la película
This would be another great video activity for Heritage or upper-level Spanish students. It explains 3 Latino themes in the film.
*NEW* Spanish class movie guide for McFarland USA
- McFarland USA Movie Questions Worksheet from my store
- McFarland USA Movie Questions from TPT
Spanish Class Movies with a focus on Mexico
Other Spanish class movies set in Mexico or that focus on Mexican-Americans are listed below.
Spanish class movies about Mexican-Americans set in the USA
- NEW 2023 Documentary Going Varsity in Mariachi
- Chupa
- A Million Miles Away
- Selena
- The Casagrandes Movie
Movies set in Mexico for Spanish Class
- Coco
- The Book of Life
- Canela
- Maya y los tres (show set in pre-colonial Mexico)
Other Mexico resources
If you want to dig deeper and connect more with the beautiful culture of Mexico, here are some resources.
- Cinco de mayo in Spanish class
- Introduce Mexico Novice Spanish reading comprehension worksheet
Other Movie Resources for Spanish Class
Read More >> How to teach with Movies in Spanish Class
If you want another film to use in your Spanish classes, here are some resources to save you time.
- My top appropriate movies for Spanish class Blog post
- Appropriate Spanish Language Movies on Netflix
- Spanish Class Documentaries
- My Movie Guide Bundle for Spanish class
- Good Cinco de mayo movies
- Best Movies for Black History Month in Spanish Class
- The Best Movies to Teach the Day of the Dead
- Hispanic Heritage Month Movies for Spanish Class
- Best Spanish Earth Day Movies
- Top 7 Short Spanish Movies on Disney+ – if you do not have time for a full film
If you have more resources for McFarland USA in Spanish class, please share them in the comments and I will add them!
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