Back to School Series
That first week… wow. It brings up all the feelings: excitement, butterflies, maybe even a little chaos. There’s so much we could do, and so many great ideas floating around, that it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But if I’ve learned anything, it’s this: we don’t need to do it all. We just need to focus on what matters most.
Episode 154 of Growing With Proficiency: The Podcast, and this post, are a real, honest look at what I actually prioritize in my Spanish classroom during that first week.. Not a rigid script. Just the practices that help me lay the foundation for a class built on connection, communication, and yes, comprehension.
This is the third post in our Back to School series! If you haven’t yet, go check out the first one on The 3 Pillars of a Sustainable Language Class, and the second on Planning a Sustainable Year. And if Spanish is your language, don’t miss our special episode: 5 claves para comenzar el año escolar.
Why First Impressions Matter (More Than We Admit)
Here’s the reality: many students walk into our classrooms already carrying stories about school and about language learning. Some of them are quietly thinking, “I’m bad at this.” Others assume, “This class is going to be boring,” or “Why do I even need this?”
That’s why, for me, those very first moments with students are everything. They set the emotional tone for the entire year. I want my students to walk in and immediately feel something different: welcome, seen, capable, and curious. I want them to feel joy and structure. To know that yes, this class is going to be fun and human, but also clear and predictable.
So instead of rushing into content or racing to check things off a list, I slow down. I build an experience that creates connections and routines, using Spanish that they can understand from day one.
Here’s how I do it.
#1: A Clear and Comforting Entry Routine
I want my students to know exactly what to do the moment they walk in. For me, clarity is safety for my learners. Especially for my freshmen, who are stepping into a brand new world.
I prepare a simple slide with:
- Where to sit (name cards on desks)
- What to do with phones (backpacks, not pockets!)
- A quiet activity (like drawing something they love or something that made them laugh last week)
And I play soft music while they work.
Why? Because structure doesn’t have to be harsh. It can be gentle. Predictable. Reassuring.
#2: Human Connection from the Very First Moment
Before we do anything, we connect.
I greet every student at the door with a smile, eye contact (if they’re up for it), and a cheerful “Hola, buenos días! Hi, good morning!”
Then I take attendance, but not just to check names. I use it to see them. I call names with a question tone (“Julia?”) so they can correct me or share what they’d like to be called. I’ve practiced the names beforehand. I’ve made the name cards myself. I want them to feel, “Oh wow, she knows who I am.”
I start building connections.
#3: Sharing About Me—In Spanish, with Intention
I introduce myself through a simple, short presentation in Spanish. I make sure that they understand what I am saying, even if they don’t understand every word. I want them to experience the language as communication, not content.
I use just three structures: I am, I like, I have.
And I make it comprehensible:
- I pause often and ask circling questions.
- I use visuals and gestures.
- I point to a word wall.
- I train them gently: silence, wait time, choral response.
Before I start, I say:
“Your job is to listen and let me know if something doesn’t make sense. My job is to speak Spanish in a way you can understand.”
And when they realize: “Hey… I understood that!” They start feeling confident.
#4: Making It Real: Connecting My Life to Theirs
But what do I tell them about me? Basic information and information that connects with their lives.
I tell them I love coffee. Then I ask: “Starbucks or Dunkin’? McDonald’s?”
I’ve seen many of my students drinking coffee, and I know some of them love Dunkin’s or McDonald’s.
I mention football because I like it and many of my students do too. Then it’s: “Do I like the Jaguars or the Falcons?”
Why? Because the goal isn’t just “input”—it’s connection. These tiny shared moments of recognition remind students that Spanish isn’t a subject. It’s a real, living, joyful way to relate to the world.
#5: From Input to Output—Writing and Interview
After my presentation, we write. Together.
I say: “Yo escribo, tú escribes”—and we co-create a paragraph about what they just heard. A few sentences. Simple structures. Lots of celebration.
Then, in the next class, it’s their turn.
We do our first Star Student Interview, using the exact same “I am / I like / I have” frame. I already know who’s ready. I’ve prepped slides with translation. And we start to build our class story, one student at a time.
What I Don’t Do (Anymore)
Let’s just say… I’ve learned some lessons the hard way.
I don’t read the syllabus that first week. Policies are introduced when they matter.
I don’t give tests or diagnostics right away. I want to build confidence as much as I can.
I don’t rush into curriculum. We’ll get there. But first, we connect.
Final Thoughts: Start Slow to Go Far
That first week? It’s not about racing through content. It’s about planting seeds of confidence, curiosity, and belonging.
I’m constantly observing my students, paying attention to their energy and responses. If I notice frustration bubbling up, if it’s too much, too soon, I pause. We take a brain break. And if needed, I shift into our common language to reset and reconnect.
Because at the end of the day, my job is to build trust. To show them that this is a space where they can take risks, feel seen, and grow. That’s the real work. And that’s what makes everything else possible.
Want My First Week Slides + Interview Prompts?
Everything I described is available inside The Creciendo Curriculum in the Spanish Teacher Academy—including the Conociéndonos unit for levels 1–4.
🎉 Start your 7-day free trial here: growingwithproficiency.com/trial
And join me for our live session on July 22—we’ll plan this unit together (in Spanish!) so you feel ready and grounded.
See you there.
