Learn Spanish Vocabulary for Letters through Pen Pals
Writing is one of my favorite ways to practice languages. It’s free and can be done anywhere. Check out this Spanish vocabulary for letters with your class or on your own.
This activity is a great one. There are many places to find pen pals from other countries online. However, I know every school system has its own rules regarding contact like this. If that is the case, students can certainly still get loads of practice in writing to each other. Their letters can be handwritten, or emails.
I love to use physical post cards of the Spanish-speaking world. This is, of course, expensive if they are real. I have created two templates and shared photos I took in Spain here.
There are also some great templates online. Create a postcard on Canva: https://www.canva.com/design/DAD6VTkWjJY/share/preview?token=cggs93mmyw73mcIT7v6alQ&role=EDITOR&utm_content=DAD6VTkWjJY&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=sharebutton
I think that the email writing portion of the AP World Language program is one of the most useful resources for pre-advanced learners out there, whether you are a student or not. https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/courses/ap-spanish-language-and-culture/exam
informal openings
Querido= Dear (to one male)
Querida= Dear (to one female)
Queridos=Dear (to more than one male or males and females)
Queridas=Dear (to more than one female)
informal closings
un beso
un abrazo
besos
un abrazo fuerte
formal openings
Estimado= Dear in the formal sense (to one male)
Estimada= Dear in the formal sense (to one female)
Estimados= Dear in the formal sense (to more than one male or males and females)
Estimadas= Dear in the formal sense (to more than one female)
Muy señores míos=Equivalent to “To Whom It May Concern”
formal closings
Atentamente
Sinceramente
A few ideas:
- Consider putting names in a bag. Students select the person that they will write.
- If you have another class of the same level, students can email or “send” messages to students in that class.
- If you chose the physical cards made from templates, consider hanging them in the room. The photos are a huge way to infuse culture naturally in this communicative activity.
Looking for more ideas for your language classes? Language Teaching: 5 Weeks of Low and No Prep Fun- Week 5
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