Inside: Middle School Spanish curriculum ideas for any situation. Spanish curriculum for middle school from Mis Clases Locas.
Author: Allison Wienhold
Published: January 16, 2025

Teaching Spanish to middle school students can be a rewarding challenge. At this age, students are developing their identities and learning how to express themselves.
A well-structured Spanish curriculum for middle school can inspire them to explore the world through language and culture. In this post, we’ll cover what makes a strong curriculum, share tips for engaging your students, and provide solutions for common classroom challenges.
Whether you’re creating your own Spanish program or searching for resources, these insights will help you develop a plan that works.
Why a Middle School Spanish Curriculum Matters
Middle school is a critical time for students to start or continue learning world languages. Here’s why:
- Early Learning Advantage: Research shows that students who begin learning a language early are more likely to achieve fluency. Start before high school!
- Building Communication Skills: Middle school students are at the perfect age to practice speaking and listening, which are essential for real-world communication.
- Cultural Awareness: Learning about Hispanic and Latinx cultures helps students broaden their perspectives and develop global awareness.
When it is time for school cuts, World Languages are often the first on the chopping block. Unfortunately, too many people see our Spanish program as an elective. They think “foreign language” is not a part of the essential core. By focusing on these benefits, you can hopefully create a program that sets your students up for long-term success in Spanish.

My Experience with Middle School Spanish Class
In my first year at a new school, I was excited for the chance to teach 7th and 8th grades Spanish students. Before that I had been a department of 1 Spanish teacher for high school Spanish grade 9-12. I also had experience teaching elementary school school Spanish lessons with my Spanish club and Spanish 4 classes.
I soon found out that the 6 week Exploratory Spanish class was because the school needed somewhere for middle school students to go. At the time. I taught on 12 week trimesters with 60-65 minute classes. The elective teachers were given half of the 7th or 8th grade class for 6 weeks at a time.
>> You can read more about my 6 week middle school Spanish plan here
This was a tiny school where the while middle school grade had about 40 kids. So, it was literally half of the grade in 7A or 7B.
Students had no choice. They all came to Spanish whether they wanted to or not. Spoiler. Many did not want to be there at all.
To make it extra interesting the school had every single child with an IEP or 504 in the B section. I found out his was to save money to only need one Para Educator per grade. So one section likely had over half of the kids with some kind of accommodation. I learned a LOT about differentiation that year. We did daily brain breaks and physical movements were essential. You can see below my 8th graders doing a Just Dance in Spanish.

Exploratory Spanish Middle School Curriculum
The next year we moved to a semester schedule. So, I had 7th and 8th graders each for one nine week quarter.
Since I was the only teacher, I was able to continue on year 2 with different topics. A majority of the kids had me the year before so I could continue in the target language with different activities and lesson plans.
We used my High-Frequency Verb Unit to Start Spanish each quarter.
It helped recycle the important Super 7 verbs. At the same time it provided a base for communication, even with new kids joining. The content of the Persona Especial interviews changed, since it was always about new people.
I was full comprehensible input at this point in regards to teaching methods. My 2nd quarter of Spanish 8th graders even read El capibara con botas with activities from a teacher guide. We never did what some might say is a traditional curriculum for middle school. We never used a textbook. I created the middle school Spanish curriculum on my own.
>> You can read more about my 9 week middle school Exploratory Spanish plan here
Diversity of Middle School Spanish Programs
I understand that my unique experience with Middle School Spanish is not the norm everywhere. I have consulted and worked with a huge variety of Spanish teachers over the years. Here are a few of the World Language Middle School program options.
How to Structure a Middle School Spanish
Curriculum will vary greatly depending on your program structure. A well-structured curriculum provides clear goals for each grade level:
Heritage Middle School Spanish
- A great fit for school with a high percentage of native and heritage speakers of Spanish from Latin America. They are able to test into a Heritage Spanish class that is run more like a Spanish literature or culture class. This Spanish class would high amount of authentic resources and build students language skills from where they are at.
- Some of these classes meet every day like a core class. Other schools have this class meet every other day. On the opposite day might be another elective like PE.
- I went to an awesome presentation from Johanys Alvarez at Comprehensible Iowa Conference CIIA about her Middle School Heritage Program in Des Moines. Each grade 6-8 focused on a different region of Latin America – The Caribbean, Central America & South America. Heritage and newcomer students moved in and and regularly. So she kept culture at the core, while meeting students where they are and building communication skills in Spanish. [But, unfortunately her awesome heritage middle school program was cut, so she moved to teaching high school].
Middle School Programs that continue building from Elementary School Spanish
- This model of continuing after 5th grade with more intense middle school Spanish has huge potential. I know amazing teachers like Craig Klein of Spanish Cuentos that has a booming K-8 program using comprehensible input. His middle school Spanish students have acquired a ton of Spanish as well as beautiful Colombian accents.
- Around me in Iowa, K-8 Spanish programs are almost exclusively at private schools. They use World Language as a way to recruit new students. Hopefully this programs build sequentially building on the new language. Unfortunately, the very low pay and MANY preps often means huge turnover in these positions. Many Spanish students keep learning colors, numbers, and other basic thematic units, year after year using outdated student workbooks. They often focus on lists of new words, often nouns.

Middle School Exploratory Programs
Languages Taught
- These programs may be like mine and exclusively in Spanish. This is especially the case in small school where Spanish is the only World Language option.
- Language Sampler – Other World Language Exploratory programs offer a few weeks each of multiple different languages. My friend teaches one quarter of Spanish. Then one quarter of French to the same kids. She is certified in Spanish, but not French. Another friend taught an Exploratory World Language class. It had 4 different languages, each for only 2 weeks.
How often to meet for Middle School?
I know this is often outside of the teachers’ control. Personally, the more contact time with your Spanish learners, the better. Push for longer and more frequent meetings.
- Every Day for a Short Amount of Time – Middle School Exploratory Programs might meet every day for a quarter. [ 9 week middle school Exploratory Spanish example ]
- Less Frequently, but over a longer time period – Other Middle School Spanish classes meet every other day. Others meet every 4th or 5th day as a part of the “specials rotation” along with PE, music, shop, etc.
- Some schools are sequential, like I was. All students in 7th and 8th grade had Spanish for a quarter. If you have any say, a sequential program would be ideal! Instead of labeling by grade it could be Spanish A, B & C that students need to take in order. [I would not call in Spanish 1, 2, etc unless they meet for a full year and would count for high school Spanish 1, Spanish 2, etc]
- Other schools have the option to take Spanish any year 6th-8th grade. They could choose to take it all 3 years, or just join in during 8th grade. For these classes I suggest new thematic topics, but the same basic recycled language. For example, you could use my Super 7 unit 3 years in a row. But the content of the special person interviews with new students will allow for new information each year.
Traditional Textbook Style Middle School Spanish Curriculum Example
If this is what you are looking for, you could just break a Spanish 1 textbook into 3 parts. Based on how often most middle school programs meet, you could likely use 1 textbook for all 3 grades.
- 6th Grade: Focus on basic vocabulary and simple conversations. Students can learn greetings, numbers, and classroom phrases.
- 7th Grade: Introduce grammar concepts and expand vocabulary. Include topics like family, hobbies, and daily routines.
- 8th Grade: Build on prior knowledge with more complex grammar and conversational skills. Topics can include travel, shopping, and celebrations.

Key Components of a Spanish Curriculum for Middle School
A great curriculum combines cultural exploration, communication, and interactive activities. Here are the essential elements:
Cultural Exploration
- Introduce traditions, music, and holidays from Spanish-speaking countries. For example, a unit on Day of the Dead can include vocabulary, history, and crafts. Personally, I like to teach about culture in Spanish. You get double the bang for your buck – communication & culture.
- I know my friend Meg uses a shortened version of my Young 1 song from each country Hispanic Heritage Month Music Bracket each quarter with her Exploratory Spanish classes.
- Other teachers focus on one Spanish speaking country each class period with travel videos in Spanish Speaking Countries martes del mapa.
Communication Basics using High Frequency Verbs
- High frequency verbs are the building blocks for communication. Some teachers prefer to focus on grammar concepts like present tense verbs, adjective agreement, and sentence structure. I prefer to meet students where they. Plus have them show what they know through performance assessments.
Reading, Listening, Speaking & Writing Practice
- Provide lots of input using comprehensible input through listening and reading in Spanish. Then practice speaking and writing. But, be prepared that output is typically a much slower process.
- Grab my free I CAN Statements for Spanish Class Posters with these 4 communication goals.
Interactive Activities that get student moving
- Incorporate games, storytelling, and hands-on activities. Even more than high schoolers, middle schoolers need to MOVE regularly. Get Your Spanish Class Moving

Clear Routines
- Spanish Class Routines are everything with middle school Spanish. If you see students every day, I loved themed Bell Ringers.
- Now I even have a full set of Para Empezar Bell Ringers geared toward Middle School Spanish, or younger learners. Year of Middle School Spanish Bell Ringers

Vocabulary Building
- If you are required to have set vocabulary, keep it simple. Focus on everyday topics such as greetings, school, family, and hobbies. These are relatable and practical for middle school students. I prefer to focus on communication with verbs and functional chunks of language over long lists of vocab.
How to Structure a Middle School Spanish Lesson Plan
Each week, plan lessons with a mix of activities. Read more Sustainable Spanish Lesson Planning for many preps
- Warm-Up: Start with my ready to go Year of Middle School Spanish Bell Ringers
- Main Lesson: Teach the main lesson of the day. Start with heavy input while students are fresh. This would be your Persona Especial, Movie Talk, Story, etc.
- Brain Break or movement activity
- Practice: Engage students with games, group work or independent practice. This allows you to float, assist, and check in with students one on one as needed.
- Wrap-Up: End with a reflection or exit ticket to assess understanding.
*Free PD About Sustainable Planning in Middle & Elementary Spanish
- I will be speaking on January 28, 2025 at a FREE Masterclass all about Sustainable Planning in Middle School & Elementary Spanish for many preps.
- If you miss the free masterclass there is an option to purchase the PD after the fact.
- Learn more Spanish Teacher Professional Development

Overcoming Challenges in the Classroom
Teaching middle school Spanish comes with unique challenges. Here’s how to address them:
- Engaging Reluctant Learners
- Use activities that cater to differentiation. For example like music for auditory learners or crafts for kinesthetic learners.
- Managing Mixed Proficiency Levels
- Differentiate instruction by providing tiered activities. For example, advanced students can write dialogues while beginners match vocabulary words to pictures. Read more Teaching Multilevel Spanish Classes.
- Classroom Management
- Set clear expectations and routines. Use positive reinforcement to keep students motivated. Read more Positive Spanish Class Community

Why Choose a Pre-Made Middle School Spanish Curriculum?
Creating your own curriculum takes time and effort. A ready-made curriculum offers several advantages:
- Saves Time: Spend less time planning and more time teaching.
- Consistency: Ensure a logical progression of topics and skills.
- Engagement: Use resources designed to capture middle schoolers’ attention.
Conclusion
A Spanish curriculum for middle school should combine cultural exploration, practical language skills, and interactive activities. By structuring your lessons effectively and addressing classroom challenges, you can create a program that inspires students to love Spanish and build confidence in their abilities.
Mis Clases Locas Middle School Spanish Bundle
Ready to simplify your planning and engage your students? Check out my Middle School Spanish Curriculum Bundle! It’s packed with interactive lessons, cultural activities, and everything you need to teach with confidence. Learn more about my Middle School Spanish Bundle and get started today!
You can also get the same Middle School Spanish Curriculum Bundle on TPT as well.

Key Takeaways
- Middle school is an ideal time to begin or deepen Spanish language learning.
- A strong curriculum includes culture, communication, and interactive activities.
- Structure your lessons to progress each year and keep students engaged.
- Address classroom challenges with differentiated instruction and clear routines.
- A pre-made curriculum can save time and enhance your teaching.
Looking for High School Spanish? >See my full Mis Clases Locas Curriculum for Spanish 1-4
Looking for French? > French Comprehensible Input Curriculum
Want my Go-TO Activity for the 1st Day of Middle School Spanish?
Grab my ready-to-go Name Game Activity Slides below. Plus check out the blog post Name Game Speedball
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