Exploratory Spanish Vocabulary Slides: How to Use Them in Your Classroom
🎧 Exploratory Spanish Vocabulary Slides: How to Use Them in Your Classroom
If you're teaching Exploratory Spanish to upper elementary students, you already know how important it is to provide structure, support, and rich language input. Traditional vocabulary lessons that rely solely on flashcards or translation just aren’t enough. That’s why I created these interactive vocabulary slides—to give students a more meaningful and engaging entry point into Spanish using visuals, listening cues, and repetition.
In a previous blog, I shared how I use semantic anchors and audio feedback to help students build comprehension without relying on grammar instruction. In this post, we’re zooming in on just one powerful tool: the vocabulary slides.
Sample slides across various Exploratory Spanish Google Slides
Whether you’re introducing vocabulary for ropa, comida, or Día de los Muertos, these slides are built to support beginning language learners. Keep reading to learn what’s included, how they work, and how to make the most of them using your classroom’s interactive whiteboard—like MimioTeach, Boxlight, or any smart display. Make sure you have
🧠 What Are Vocabulary Slides?
Each set of Exploratory Spanish Resources has a theme, and that theme has Vocabulary words. Our Vocabulary Slides is built around three core goals:
Introduce key vocabulary with clear visuals
Support listening comprehension with built-in audio
Provide structured opportunities for repetition and interaction
You’ll find:
🎧 Audio icons students can click to hear native pronunciation
🖼️ High-quality visuals that support comprehension
📘 Themed vocabulary sets (e.g., clothing, holiday foods, cultural terms)
🗣️ Speaking routines like “Escucha → Repite” and “¿Qué ves?”
These slides are student-friendly and teacher-ready—no extra prep needed!
🔧 How to Use the Vocabulary Slides
These slides are designed for whole-class instruction, small groups, or even independent centers—but they really shine when used with an interactive whiteboard. Teachers use many different types of technology, and sometimes we make little mistakes that can really throw a wrench in our work. So that said, I am going to say this one time, please remember: Make Sure you Slides Are in Presenter Mode when you teach!!! That meas click the Slideshow Button at the upper Right corner of your Google slides.
🖥️ Step-by-Step Guide for Use:
1. Open the Slides in Presenter Mode
Go to Google Slides and click “Slideshow,” make sure you are in presenter mode. This activates the audio icons and ensures the visuals display properly.
2. Play the Audio for Each Vocabulary Word
Click the speaker icons to model pronunciation. You can do this as a class or invite students to take turns tapping. If the audio is working on your laptop but you don’t hear the audio on the whiteboard, that probably means your laptop is still sending sound to its internal speakers instead of the external device.
✅ How to Fix It (Step-by-Step)
🔊 1. Manually Select the Audio Output
On Windows:
Click the speaker icon in the bottom-right taskbar.
Click the arrow (^) next to the volume slider.
Choose the output device (e.g., “Mimio,” “SmartBoard,” or “Boxlight speakers”).
On Mac:
Go to System Settings > Sound > Output.
Select the connected display or sound system (e.g., HDMI, Boxlight, USB Audio).
🎧 2. Check Cable Type
If using HDMI: It should carry both video and audio, but some boards still require a separate audio cable.
If using USB only: USB typically connects touch/control, but not audio unless the board has built-in USB audio drivers.
3. Use Choral Repetition
After each audio clip, have students repeat the word or phrase aloud, this is an example of multi modal learning! By engaging both auditory input (listening) and motor output (speaking), students activate multiple areas of the brain, which strengthens memory and comprehension. Research consistently shows that when learners combine modes—like hearing, speaking, drawing, or acting—they’re more likely to retain information and build deeper understanding. You can lead the repetition yourself or use the built-in prompts like “Escucha → Repite” included in the slides.
I can’t overstate how powerful choral reading is in the Exploratory Spanish classroom. When I was learning both French and Italian, several of my professors used this exact strategy—and for good reason. There's something uniquely effective about speaking together as a group: it lowers anxiety, builds confidence, and reinforces pronunciation through repetition.
Sample slide from our Exploratory Spanish January Lesson
4. Practice with “¿Qué ves?” Activities
These slide with only audio and images are designed to strengthen listening comprehension and vocabulary recognition through meaningful interaction. In the example shown above, students hear six audio narrations, each beginning with "Veo..." followed by a description of an article of clothing. Their task is to listen carefully and match each narration number to the correct item in the image by writing it underneath.
This activity offers more than simple vocabulary practice—it’s a powerful example of comprehensible input in action. As students hear native-like Spanish pronunciation while viewing clear, contextual images, they are able to make connections between the spoken language and its meaning—even if they don’t understand every word.
In second language acquisition theory, comprehensible input refers to language that learners can mostly understand with the help of visuals or context, even if the language is slightly above their current level (Krashen’s i+1). These slides are intentionally designed to provide that exact kind of exposure, helping students absorb new language naturally and confidently.
5. Invite Student Interaction at the Board
Let students walk up and tap the audio icons themselves. The tactile element builds excitement and reinforces learning through movement.
💡 Tips for Teachers Using Smartboards (MimioTeach, Boxlight, etc.)
These slides are optimized for digital whiteboards used in many schools. Here are tips for a smooth tech experience:
✔️ Use Google Slides in Presenter Mode for working audio
✔️ Connect your device audio to the board or speakers
✔️ Recalibrate the whiteboard if touch response is off
✔️ Clean screen/stylus for accuracy when students tap icons
✔️ Check browser settings to allow autoplay audio
These tech tools bring language to life—so don’t be afraid to let your students take the lead.
🧒 Why It Works for Exploratory Spanish
This approach is grounded in comprehensible input, dual coding theory, and student-centered interaction. Here's what that means in practice:
Students hear the word and see the image at the same time → stronger memory
Students repeat aloud in a group → low-pressure speaking practice
Students engage with content by touching the screen or identifying visuals → active learning
All of this happens without needing grammar explanations. You’re building comprehension and fluency from Day 1—even for students who’ve never heard Spanish before.
🎯 Perfect For:
✅ New Spanish learners (grades 3–6)
✅ Exploratory Spanish units
✅ Cultural celebrations (Christmas, Día de los Muertos, etc.)
✅ Teachers using MimioTeach, Boxlight, or any interactive display
✅ Whole-class listening and speaking activities
🛠️ Ready to Use in Your Class?
Each slide set is designed to make your life easier—just open, present, and start teaching. Whether you're introducing ropa, postres navideños, or la ofrenda, these vocabulary slides will give your students the listening and speaking practice they need—and love.
👉 Browse my full collection of Exploratory Spanish
🎧 Audio-supported. 🖼️ Visual-rich. 🗣️ Built for real-world speaking.
