6 Ways to Include Movement in Spanish Class

Ready for a fun fact about me? I used to coach gymnastics! My first experience organizing and directing groups of children was as a coach. I still love bringing movement in Spanish class..although there are usually less push-ups and sit-ups involved nowadays!

I wanted to share a few of my favorite movement-based activities that allow you to get your students up and out of their seats but remain focused on language learning. Lace up your sneakers and get ready! 

1. Brain Breaks – sometimes we just need to get up and dance a little bit! This post has a free set of Google Slides for you to implement immediately. 

2. How many of you already love Quizlet Live in your classes? These Quizlet Live Variations help keep the game new and fresh!

3. Stations – I have a profound love of stations. They are a great way to incorporate movement in Spanish class! Here are my favorite ways to simplify stations in your classroom so they’re not a logistical nightmare!

4. Running Dictation – As the name suggests, there’s tons of movement involved in Running Dictation! This is a great activity for teamwork in your classroom, plus the engagement is through the ROOF!

5. Gallery Walks may sound calm in comparison to Running Dictation, but calm movement can be a wonderful thing! This is a great option to get your students up, moving, and receiving input at the same time!

6. Finally, my all time favorite is ¡Corre en Círculos! Students get up and complete a mini-scavenger hunt around the room to practice! You can use the concept in so many different ways, and it’s so fun!

Add a Little Drama (The Good Kind)

If you have never tried acting out a scene or using roleplay in Spanish class, let this be your sign. Dramatic activities get students up, using language in real time, and usually laughing a lot too. Have students act out short skits based on vocabulary or structures you are working on. Keep it simple. One group might order food at a restaurant, another could act out a trip to the doctor, and a third could create a silly mini soap opera. Add a prop or two and your classroom will instantly turn into a language playground.

You do not need a stage or a script. Just some basic phrases, a scenario, and your students’ imaginations. Plus, the movement combined with speaking and listening reinforces the language in ways a worksheet never could. This is real-life language practice disguised as classroom fun.

Reading Activities That Include Movement in Spanish Class

One of my favorite ways to sneak in input and keep things moving is with a read and move activity. Post short readings, vocab challenges, or task cards around the room and let students rotate through them in pairs or small groups. It is a creative and effective way to include movement in Spanish class without losing the focus on language learning. Whether it is matching questions to answers, identifying key vocab in a short text, or racing to find the right response, students stay engaged from start to finish.

You can use this format for grammar review, story comprehension, cultural trivia, or anything else you want them to read and interact with. Add clipboards and a little music in the background and suddenly reading feels like an adventure. It keeps the energy up, and your students are learning without even realizing it.

What are some of your favorite ways to include movement in your classroom? I’d love to hear your suggestions! Drop me a comment or a message on Instagram – and tag me @srta_spanish if you try out any of the activities above! I love seeing when people try out ideas I’ve shared!

Looking for more tech-free activities?

Check out this blog post with hands on activities you can use with your classes!