Inside: Selena in Spanish class. Resources for teaching about Selena Quintanilla-Pérez to use in Spanish class. Selena movie guide, Selena songs, Selena readings, and more. Selena en la clase de español. Lesson plans for Spanish students in your high school and middle school Spanish classroom.
Selena in Spanish class was originally posted by Allison Wienhold on 9.27.21 and most recently updated on 11.24.25 on Mis Clases Locas.
Selena Quintanilla-Pérez in Spanish Class
The original Selena, that is Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, is an icon. She is still very popular today, 25 years after The original Selena, that is Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, is an icon. She is still very popular today, 25 years after her tragic death at only 23 years old. Selena was a Mexican-American singer, songwriter, fashion designer, businesswoman and so much more. Selena is known for songs such as Amor Prohibido, Baila esta cumbia, Bidi bidi bom bom, and more.
Selena”s birthday April 16, is now known as Selena Day as well. She would be a perfect person to highlight during Hispanic Heritage Month in world languages. (Side note, there is still time to do a Hispanic Heritage Month Music Madness Bracket).
1997 Selena Movie
How I really got interested in Selena was actually through the 1997 movie about her life. This Selena film was a favorite of mine growing up and I actually owned the DVD way before becoming a Spanish teacher. Since the film was older I actually did not think to use it in class until a few years into teaching. But, once I showed it, the students were obsessed with life of Selena Quintanilla and they did not care that the film was a little dated.
The biographical film with Jennifer Lopez’s portrayal of Selena is clean and rated PG. The movie Selena has a run time of 2 hours and 7 minutes. It is one of the few “real people” movies that I have on my list of 20 appropriate movies for Spanish class.
The film’s themes are the perfect complement to cultural education and learning about the Mexican-American experience. The film Selena can be a powerful tool for cultural understanding, cultural identity, hispanic studies, with a focus on Mexican heritage. Besides the Spanish for language learning, there can be deep discussions about Latino culture, discrimination, family support, cultural assimilation and more.
The movie can be purchased or rented through Amazon, YouTube, or on DVD for very cheap. It is likely at your public library to rent as well. Give yourself and your students a much-needed break and learn about an icon in Spanish class.
Selena movie guide for Spanish Class
If you are in need of a break and looking for a ready-to-go movie guide for every level you teach, my Selena movie is for you. It includes character identification, 20 questions in English OR Spanish to use while watching, and post-viewing questions and character matching. It is the same format as many of my other popular movie guides.
My Selena movie guide includes differentiated options for comprehensible input with different levels of Spanish fluency. It also includes a Selena movie answer key. It’s perfect for emergency sub plans.
Update! I now have two ways to get the Selena guide Selena Movie Guide or TPT Selena guide.
Which audio & subtitles to use with the Selena movie?
First, it all depends on your goals and the level of students. *If you buy a DVD or rent it online, make sure that the option for Spanish audio and subtitles is included before you pay. As always, do what works best for your classes. Here is what I personally do:
- Spanish audio & Spanish subtitles – upper-level students
- Spanish audio & English subtitles – novice-level students
- English audio – exploratory Spanish or culture class
NEW 2025 Selena y Los Dinos Netflix Documentary!
- Selena y los Dinos
- 2025
- Documentary
- Netflix
- 1h 57m
- PG
Selena y Los Dinos Netflix Documentary Trailer
I just watch the new Selena documentary on Netflix. It shows Selena Quintanilla’s journey from performing at local events to becoming the Queen of Tejano Music with her family band Selena y Los Dinos.
It is a PG, school appropriate, documentary in English. There are some Spanish interviews included, but 95% is in English. But, you can change the audio and subtitles on Netflix if you prefer.
I personally like documentaries that dig up dirt. But, I get why this was a positive celebration of Selena with all of her family members interviewed, including her husband Chris.
It included footage I’ve never seen before of young Selena performing with poofy & wild 80s hair 🙂 As a fan I enjoyed the documentary, but I think it would be slow for students. It would be great to encourage students to watch on their own as extra enrichment in a Selena unit.
Or if you are doing a big Selena unit, you could watch both the film and documentary to compare & contrast.
Want a Freebie to use this documentary in class?
Below are other resources you can use to teach about Selena
(In addition to my Selena movie guide).
Selena Movie Trailer – English
¡TOP 10 VERDADES Y MENTIRAS EN “SELENA” (1997)!
(upper level for after the film)
Songs for Selena in Spanish class
Any of these songs would be a fun complement to a Selena unit.
Song – Como La Flor (Live From Astrodome)
Song – Bidi Bidi Bom Bom
Song – el chico del apartamento 512
Plus, there is a newer Netflix Selena series
Personally, I was not as into the Selena Netflix show since it did not have as much of a focus on Selena, but instead on her family. But, it would make a great choice extension for students who want to learn more about Selena on their own time.
Readings about Selena in English
Readings about Selena in Spanish (advanced)
- The book Selena by Nelly Andrade-Hughes is an excellent comprehensible option to learn about her life. (It is now published by Wayside Publishing)
Other Film Resources
If you are looking for a new show to watch on Fridays with your Spanish classes, make sure to check out Tierra Incógnita!
If you are not interested in Selena, here are some other movie resources to save you time. My top appropriate movies for Spanish class Blog post
Movies with a lot of music
Other Real People Movies for Spanish class
- A Million Miles Away
- Chupa
- Pelotero
- DORA Y LA CIUDAD PERDIDA + blog post for Dora
- My Movie Guide Bundle for Spanish class
If you have more resources for Selena in Spanish class, please share them in the comments and I will add them!
