How to Use Virtual Field Trips in Spanish Class

Virtual Field Trips are a great way to get your students “out” of the classroom without all of the headaches that come with real life trips – permission forms and fundraising, oh my! Check out how to use Virtual Field Trips in Spanish class for what’s about to be one of your favorite low-energy activities!

What Are Virtual Field Trips in Spanish Class, Anyway?

Let’s start with the basics so, what even is a Virtual Field Trip? Let me explain instead of physically dragging students through the chaotic hallways of a museum or sweating it out on a long bus ride, you bring the magic of a cultural landmark, museum, or destination right into your classroom via digital tools like Google My Maps, YouTube, or even interactive websites.
From “walking” through the streets of Oaxaca, Mexico, to exploring the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu, these trips allow students to see the world without ever leaving their desks. It’s culture, convenience, and creativity all rolled into one. Plus, no one gets motion sickness!

Why Are Virtual Field Trips in Spanish Class a Game-Changer?

Besides being ridiculously easy to set up, Virtual Field Trips are the perfect way to show, not just tell and is a best example of discovery education. Instead of describing a flamenco dancer in Seville or the vibrant streets of Cartagena, let students see it for themselves. It’s like putting the culture on a silver platter and saying, “¡Buen provecho!”

But wait, there’s more!

1. Intercultural Competence: These trips break down stereotypes and give students a firsthand look at the customs, landscapes, and people of Spanish-speaking countries. It’s like a reality check for their imagination—“Oh, not everyone in Spain wears a matador outfit?” Shocking!
2. Language Practice: So no matter if you are reinforcing vocabulary about food, geography, or holidays, Virtual Field Trips make it real. Seeing a plate of authentic paella hits differently than just reading the word in a textbook.

How to Use Virtual Field Trips in Spanish Class

Key Points:

• :05 – When do you use them?
• :33 – What’s the set up like?
• 6:52- What does the lesson actually look like?
• 10:56 – What topics are a good fit? Which units could you use these in?
• 14:25 – Grab one to try!

Set Up

1. Check tech – make sure your school allows access to Google My Maps and YouTube. These tools are essential for running virtual field trips in Spanish class smoothly.

2. Decide which language(s) you’ll use – Spanish, English, or a mix of the two!

3. Choose the format for the comprehension questions and graphic organizer – print them or post them for the students to complete with Google Slides

Taking a Trip!

Let’s talk about what class actually looks like the day of the virtual trip! I often get asked how long the trips take, so here’s an overview!

1. Do your start of class routine, take attendance, etc.
2. Give link to map & let students explore. This is a must the first time your students try these!
3. Give or post handout(s) for students to complete while they explore the provided information.
4 Have a fast finisher handy just in case.

Want a few options for fast finishers? Check these out!

• Play Geoguessr
• If you’re completing a holiday map, consider watching an additional YouTube video on the topic. Dreaming Spanish is a great resource!
• A game from Rockalingua
• Choose from games at Spanish-games.net
• Printable Color by Conjugation sheets
• Cultural reading activities to go with the trip!

Want an Example?

Here we have got you with ideas for topics and themes!

So, what kind of Virtual Field Trips are worth taking? Here are a few themes to get your creative juices flowing:

• Holidays Around the World: Explore Día de los Muertos in Mexico or Las Fallas in Spain.
• Famous Landmarks: Visit every spot through  google earth…dive into the history of Chichén Itzá or the beauty of La Sagrada Familia.
• Foodie Adventures: Take a culinary tour of Peru or sample the street food of Bogotá (virtually, of course).
• City Life vs. Countryside: Compare bustling Buenos Aires to the serene Andes mountains.

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

Students read, watch, and explore using the Google My Map, then record information on the graphic organizer and answer comprehension questions. This activity is great for reinforcing geography while learning about the country! It would also be a great sub plan. The example is also included in my larger bundle of Virtual Field Trips, which you can purchase here. 

Add a Language Twist to the Adventure

Virtual field trips are perfect for sneaking in extra language exposure without your students even realizing they are still doing classwork. After the trip, try a quick vocab recap game. Have students write down five new words they encountered during the tour. These could come from videos, place names, signage in the images, or even new cultural items. Then do a quick partner share or turn it into a guessing game where they describe the word in Spanish and others try to guess.

If you are working with beginners, create a word bank to help them out. For upper levels, challenge them to use the words in full sentences. You get vocab, speaking, and listening all in one go.

This is a great way to make the trip feel more interactive, and it helps students connect the language with real-life contexts.

Take It a Step Further with a Creative Project

One thing I love about using virtual field trips in Spanish class is how easy it is to extend the learning without piling on the prep. After your students explore the map, ask them to create a postcard or digital travel journal entry as if they actually visited the country.

You can offer a template with space for a short paragraph in Spanish, a drawing or image, and maybe even a place to “stamp” their map. This gives them a chance to process what they saw and apply it creatively.

It does not need to be polished or perfect. What matters is that they are thinking, imagining, and using their Spanish in a meaningful way.

Your Turn!

Do you use virtual field trips in your classroom? Any tips or tricks to share? Drop them below or come find me on Instagram to connect! I love hearing how other teachers are using virtual field trips in Spanish class to spark curiosity and bring culture to life. Even the smallest twist on a familiar idea can make a big impact, so let’s keep sharing and learning together.

Spice It Up: Add Interactive Elements

Make your Virtual Field Trip even more engaging with these extras:

• Mini Challenges: Have students “find” specific landmarks or items on the map. Who can spot the llama first in Machu Picchu?
• Role Play: Turn students into tour guides! They can narrate their findings in Spanish as if they’re leading a group through the city.
• Virtual Souvenirs: Ask students to “buy” a virtual souvenir (describe it, draw it, or find a picture) and explain why they picked it.

Why Your Students Will Love It

Virtual Field Trips are the ultimate mix of fun and learning. Your students will feel like explorers, not just learners. They’ll giggle at quirky street performers in Spain, “ooooh” over colorful markets in Guatemala, and maybe even beg to visit these places IRL.