Fun & Easy Listening Activities for Spanish Beginners
Developing listening comprehension is one of the most important (and most overlooked) skills in the Spanish classroom—especially at the beginner level. If you’re not sure how to incorporate listening without overwhelming your students, don’t worry. Here are some of my favorite low-prep, high-impact listening activities to get your Spanish 1 and 2 students tuned in and engaged.
1. Use Songs for Targeted Listening
Why it works: Music makes language sticky and fun. Even if students don’t catch every word, they start to recognize sounds, rhythm, and patterns.
How to use it:
- Choose songs with clear pronunciation and beginner-friendly vocabulary.
- Use cloze (fill-in-the-blank) lyric activities.
- Ask comprehension questions after listening: “¿Qué palabra se repite? ¿De qué se trata la canción?”
Recommended tools: YouTube, LyricsTraining, or your own slides with embedded audio.
2. Picture-Based Listening
Why it works: Visuals give students context clues and reduce the pressure of 100% comprehension.
How to use it:
- Describe a picture aloud, and have students choose the correct image from multiple options.
- Alternatively, show a picture and ask students to listen and mark details you describe.
Great for: colors, clothing, weather, classroom objects, and daily routines.
3. Listen and Draw
Why it works: This activity makes listening more active and engaging.
How to use it:
- Give students a blank sheet or whiteboard.
- Describe a scene in Spanish (e.g., “Hay un sol grande en la esquina. Hay una casa azul. Una niña está jugando fútbol.”)
- Students draw what they hear.
Extension idea: Let students describe their own drawings in pairs afterward.
4. Use Video Clips with Purpose
Why it works: Authentic audio helps students hear real speech in a natural context.
How to use it:
- Choose a short video or commercial in Spanish.
- Give students a focused task: “Write down 3 words you recognize.” or “What do you think is happening?”
Recommended platforms: YouTube, Edpuzzle, Señor Wooly, and video clips from TV shows or ads.
5. Partner Listening Games
Why it works: Students stay engaged when they’re interacting with each other.
How to use it:
- One student reads a sentence or short paragraph aloud while the other listens and draws, writes, or answers questions.
- Switch roles halfway through.
Example: Describing daily routines, school schedules, or what someone is wearing.
6. Teacher Storytelling with Repetition
Why it works: Hearing high-frequency structures in context builds comprehension over time.
How to use it:
- Tell a simple story using visuals or gestures.
- Repeat phrases often and ask questions like “¿Es un gato o un perro?”
- Students respond with thumbs up/down, whiteboards, or choral responses.
Bonus: Record yourself reading a version of the story for students to re-listen at home.
Final Thoughts
Looking for more ways to support your beginner Spanish learners?
- Check out these No-Prep Spanish Speaking Activities to get students talking with confidence.
- Learn Creative Ways to Teach Vocabulary in Spanish Class to make word learning more engaging.
- If you’re planning a new unit, don’t miss the Ultimate Guide to Teaching Spanish 1 .
- Check out our suggestions on Planning Units for the Spanish Class.
🎧 Want ready-made listening resources? Visit my Teachers Pay Teachers store for classroom-tested materials or explore my YouTube channel for beginner-friendly Spanish videos you can use right away!
Listening doesn’t have to be passive. With the right strategies and activities, you can help your Spanish beginners tune their ears to the language and build real-world comprehension skills.
Do you have a favorite listening activity? Share it in the comments!