How to Use Gallery Walks in Spanish Class

Gallery Walks are a great way to get your students up and moving, give them input, and can be wonderfully low-energy for the teacher. It is basically like having your students take a mini field trip to an art gallery – only the art is something you provide in the target language, an image, or even student projects to share! Check out how to use gallery walks in Spanish class for what’s about to be one of your favorite low-energy activities!

Watch the Video

Key Points:

• :07 – What is a gallery walk?
• 1:55 – What materials do you need?
• 2:56 – Can you do it without your own classroom?
• 3:23 – How do you set it up?
• 6:31 – How can you do gallery walks during distance learning?
• 10:05 – Resources for you to do your own gallery walks with your students

Materials for Gallery Walks in Spanish Class:

• Infographics – students read and look for different chunks of language or vocabulary
• Images – Have students write a sentence or phrase from your current chapter based on what they see
• Readings – Students look for specific pieces of information in each selection
• Student Presentations -live, set up on individual devices for students to click through on their own, or posters around the room

During the Lesson

One of the beautiful things about gallery walks in Spanish Class is that once you’ve found or created the materials for a gallery walk, there’s not a lot more for you to do! Check in on students, answer questions…or you know, you could sit for a second and take care of a little grading. This time also lends itself really well to small conferences and check-ins with your students! 

Want an Example for Gallery Walks in Spanish Class?

Liking this idea, but still not quite sure how it works? Fill out the form below to get a free gallery walk to try out!

The readings include vocabulary supports at the bottom of the page to help your students be successful. Each reading is a basic description of each person’s life, their interests, and what they are known for!

This resource includes a scavenger hunt activity in English, perfect to use for a Gallery Walk activity! Hang the readings around the room, make copies of the scavenger hunt, and you are good to go! The example is also included in my larger bundle of Gallery Walks, which you can purchase here. 

Gallery Walks as a Pre-Reading Strategy

Gallery Walks do not have to be limited to post-reading activities. They are actually a smart way to introduce a new unit or set the stage for a reading. Try posting short excerpts, questions, quotes, or images that tie into the theme of the upcoming text. For example, if your next chapter focuses on daily routines, create stations with morning schedules, school supplies, or photos of typical student days around the world.

Let students circulate and jot down observations or predictions. What do they notice? What vocabulary pops out? What might the story or article be about? This activity activates background knowledge, builds curiosity, and gives students a sneak peek into the topic all while staying in the target language.

Add a Creative Spin with a Build-Your-Own Gallery

Once students are familiar with the structure, flip it around. Have them create their own mini gallery walks to showcase vocabulary, grammar points, or cultural topics. Each student or pair designs a short reading, image, or visual display using class content. Then, just like in a real gallery walk, their classmates rotate through the room to view and interact with the exhibits.

You can keep it simple with posters and short texts or get fancy and go digital with slideshows and QR codes. This is a great project idea for review weeks or a creative assessment. Plus, students love seeing their work on display and sharing it with others. You get built-in engagement and they get meaningful practice. Everybody wins.

How to Use Gallery Walks in Spanish Class

Your Turn!

How do you use gallery walks in your classroom? Any tips or tricks to share? Drop them below or come find me on Instagram to connect!

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