Virtual Field Trips for Spanish Class

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Are you interested in trying virtual field trips for Spanish class? A virtual field trip is a great way to introduce a country unit, explore culture, and fill out your units! They also make great sub plans when you need to take a day off. In this post I’m going to share everything you need to know about virtual field trips for Spanish class!

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What can students learn from virtual field trips?

Virtual field trips are a great way to connect where and what students are learning in Spanish class! I’ve found before that many students struggle with what I would consider basic geography skills. Many of them can’t identify most of the Spanish-speaking countries on a map!

Virtual field trips allow students to see exactly where the events, celebrations, and information they’re learning about takes place. They are great to kick off a unit exploring a particular country, explore a cultural celebration, historical event, a person’s life, and so much more!

Some great virtual field trips for Spanish class include:

How do I host a virtual field trip?

Make sure to watch the video on my Youtube channel for a step by step! Here are the basics:

Choose your tool
Choose your destination
Gather media
Create the file in your tool of choice
Optional: Create your handout(s)
Optional: Plan a fast finisher or follow up activity.
Share and assign the virtual field trip

How do I plan a virtual field trip in Spanish class?

I like to use a similar lesson plan every time I use a virtual field trip. Here’s what it looks like:

Start of class routine (5-8 minutes)
Daily routine (8-10 minutes)
Explore the map (5-10 minutes)
Pass out handouts
Students complete virtual field trip, then choose from the fast finishers available

What is an example of a virtual field trip?

If you’d like to grab a free virtual field trip to use with your Spanish classes, sign up below to grab a trip to the Dominican Republic!

Why Virtual Field Trips Just Work in Spanish Class

There is something special about seeing students light up when they connect the language they are learning to the real world. Virtual field trips are one of the easiest ways to make that happen. They take abstract vocabulary and turn it into real places, real people, and real culture. Whether you are teaching about a holiday, a historical figure, or just giving a preview of what life looks like in another country, a virtual trip brings the experience to life.

It also helps build background knowledge, which is something so many students need. Not every student comes in knowing where Colombia is or what Día de los Muertos looks like in Oaxaca. A virtual field trip fills in the gaps in a way that feels fun and fresh. It gives them visuals, movement, and something to talk about in class. You are not just handing them a worksheet. You are handing them a window into another world.

Quick Wins for Using Virtual Field Trips Anytime

The best part is how flexible virtual field trips can be. You can use one to launch a unit, to wrap one up, or as a middle-of-the-week reset when your class needs something different. They also make the perfect no-stress sub plan. Just prep it once, and it is ready to go whenever you need it.

If you want to stretch the activity a little further, try tying in a speaking or writing follow-up. Have students describe their favorite part of the trip or write a postcard from the destination. It gives you a built-in assessment without needing to prep something totally new.

However you use them, virtual field trips make Spanish class feel more alive. And your students will absolutely remember the moments you gave them a passport to explore.