Roses Are Red, Violets Are Blue, We Have Several Valentine’s Day-Themed Spanish Resources Just For You!

Valentines’ Day is right around the corner, and if you are thinking of providing your students with Spanish content to highlight the theme of love and friendship, you’ve clicked on the right post! We have a bevy of resources to choose from to make your day as sweet as possible.

Freebie: Shakira and Pique Drama Gossip Column (level 3+)

Link: https://rb.gy/bxvr7x

Shakira’s new song BZRP Music Sessions #53 has given people “mucho de qué hablar.” This short gossipy-styled article, sprinkled with authentic expressions, will give students some background, and a little taste of the drama.

As a play on words the article is called: Marcador final (final score).

Unfamiliar words and expressions are defined in the article. I wrote this and used it for levels 4 and 5 of Spanish; but it can also be appropriate for level 3 as well.

La cita inolvidable

La cita inolvidable is a short story (+ activities) that will entertain your class as they read about a poor guy just trying to find love, online! This could be used as a class story with the comprehension questions and vocabulary included (even sub plans!), or it could be a great addition to your FVR as it is short and very entertaining.

La cita inolvidable is a short story with many laughable twists! Luis has just recovered from an almost deadly relationship and is desiring to move forward. Frustrated with this dating luck, his friends suggest he starts looking for love online. He’s not excited about the idea, but his traditional way of finding a suitable companion has exactly churned out results. Conflicted, he decides to give it a try; and he immediately becomes entangled in a web of craziness! Will he regret dating online, or embrace the adventure? Find out why this story is titled, “La cita inolvidable.”

¡Eres Perfecto!

This illustrated story is perfect for Spanish I Novice-Mid or even Spanish 2, Novice- High as it contains many vocabulary words related to physical descriptions and personality traits. This story is a great way to review the verb “Ser” along with common verbs such as “buscar, hablar, escribir, etc,” through an engaging, entertaining story that will make students feel good about themselves, despite their shortcomings!

Eres perfecto. This is a short story about a girl looking for love, but she has what she perceives as a physical defect. She meets a guy online and learns how to overcome her insecurity. In the story, we choose to list a very uncommon characteristic/perceived “defect” so that students would not feel uncomfortable. The story is written in the present tense with many of the same personality traits and physical traits are interwoven throughout in addition to cognates and some common verbs such as busca, mira, quiere, voy, ir. Unfamiliar vocabulary is footnoted. This story features pre and post-reading material (4 activities)

¡Caray, mi abuela tiene móvil inteligente!

Short story for Spanish 2 and beyond! This story can be easily adapted to online class learning as activities are included (vocabulary, and comprehension questions for each chapter). The story has been recently updated with color images. Click here to access bundle for more engaging stories.

Synopsis: Sara enjoys hanging out with her crazy “Primos” and “Tíos” at their weekly “Reunión” at “La casa de la abuela.” From listening to her crazy aunt’s tales about the adventures of internet dating to her grandmother’s funny jokes (comprehensible & appropriate), she wouldn’t want to be anywhere else on Sunday. However, this Sunday is super special because it is her grandmother’s birthday, and Sara has just made her day by buying her a smartphone. While Sara teaches her “abuelita” how to use the smartphone, her grandmother discovers some “creative uses” for her new smartphone. Abuela Irma realizes even at 75 years old, her best years are ahead of her!

Spanish 1/2 Short Story: La pareja bonita/ Ser, Estar, Gustar, Character traits

¡Qué pareja tan bonita!

Link: https://rb.gy/b1afja

Engaging, funny, and most importantly, comprehensible!!!

Students learn language best through context, and this short story about a couple’s break up will have them laughing their way to acquisition.

Synopsis:

Antonio wants to break up with his girlfriend, but he doesn’t quite know how to do it. He listens to his friend’s advice and then weighs the pros and cons. He tries to consider how they are compatible. He goes through his plan, practices his speech, and plans for all contingencies except for… Find out!

Target level: This resource is simple enough for level 1, but could be a good review for higher level as well.

Link: https://rb.gy/b1afja

Spanish 3| Short story| Subjunctive ” El Colmo”

Selena and David are a couple. They love each other dearly, but their high expectations may just ruin any chances they have to make it work. In a last-ditch effort to save the relationship, they go to couples therapy. They are in for more than they bargained for!

How to use this story:

Whole class story- reading comprehension activities are included
Read in pairs, lots of dialogue
You can use it as sub plans
Free voluntary reading: students choose several stories to read during a sustained reading time.

La policía ejemplar

Marcela and Rhonda are hardworking policewomen in Buenos Aires, Argentina. As they take notice of the lively nocturnal scene, they count their blessings that their shift is almost over. But, it isn’t. The police dispatch gives them their last assignment…and it changes one of their lives forever (Happy ending).

This story is written mostly in the past tense. Unfamiliar words are bolded. The story incorporates cultural references from Argentina such as Bombonera Stadium, La Boca Neighborhood, Immigration, and Night Life (nothing inappropriate).

Cómo salir de la zona de Amigos

We’ve all been there. We have an amazing friend, who knows everything about us. We do everything together. We even finish each other’s sentences. It’s crazy! Then one day while harmlessly hanging out and laughing at each other’s jokes, something shifts. Our eyes glisten and our heart jumps. We are helplessly swept away by the wave of attraction. Before we know it, we are head over heels in love, but hopelessly stuck in the friend zone! Lena and Tristan can definitely relate! They are best friends, video game enthusiasts, and running buddies who avidly explore the beautiful city of Bogotá, Colombia. But when their relationship starts to change, they realize that are in uncharted waters. Will their lifelong friendship help or hinder any chance of romance? Find out in “Cómo salir de la zona de amigos”.

La bella mentira

Carlos is having a bad day, and it’s about to get worse. He leaves Spanish class utterly embarrassed.He had no idea that the teacher was going to partner him up with Jessica, the girl he actually writes about in his class essay. Adding insult to injury, the teacher reads his essay in front of the class, even the mean-spirited things he wrote about his teacher. After running into a few more problems in math class, he is faced with the big showdown in the lunchroom. Now, Carlos is between *”la espada y la pared.” However, a short story in Spanish class may hold the key to all of his problems, and may ultimately lead to his biggest confession of all.Find out in the second installment.

El mensaje

Adán’s life is turned upside down when he gets an unexpected and heart-wrenching text message from a friend. It is a text about his beloved girlfriend, and it’s not pretty. At first, Adán does not think much of the text, as he knows students love to spread rumors and gossip. He would rather focus on his upcoming test on the capitals of Spanish-speaking countries, rather than indulge in petty high school drama. But as he considers the last few days talking to Fiona, a startling picture starts to emerge. Why has she been incredibly secretive and avoiding him like the plague? Adán tries to keep his cool. So, instead of going into full panic mode, he hatches a plan. He may be risking everything to uncover the truth, but he knows that the truth will set him free. Will it be worth it?

Friendship