As teachers of Modern Foreign Languages, we know that engagement does not begin with the first task on the board; it begins at the door.
After half term, or indeed at the start of any new term, we have a golden opportunity to reset expectations, strengthen relationships and re-energise our classrooms.
Below are practical, realistic strategies to help you keep students engaged from day one in your Spanish (or any MFL) lessons.
1. Greet at the Door: Set the Tone Before the Lesson Begins
A simple but powerful habit: greet your students at the door.
A smile.
“Good morning, how’s your day going?”
“Are you having a good one so far?”
These small interactions create connection and signal that your classroom is a calm, welcoming space. Tone is everything. When students feel seen, they are more likely to engage.
2. Listen First, Then Respond (Don’t React)
It is easy to become focused on delivering the perfectly planned activity. However, sometimes students have a different perspective or a creative alternative approach.
Listening matters.
Equally important: respond, don’t react. Avoid shouting. In most cases, raised voices escalate rather than resolve. If a situation becomes frustrating, pause. Breathe. Reset. Calm authority is far more effective than emotional reaction.
3. Consistency Is Key
Clear, simple routines reduce cognitive load and behaviour issues. Keep rules straightforward and revisit them if needed. Resetting expectations is not a failure, it is professional practice.
Students thrive on predictability. When routines are secure, learning flourishes.
4. Use Positive Language
The way we phrase instructions makes a difference.
Instead of:
“Don’t run in the corridor.”
Try:
“Please walk, thank you.”
The message remains, but the tone shifts. Avoid negative language or sarcasm. Keep interactions low-key and discreet; avoid creating an audience when addressing behaviour. Protect students’ dignity wherever possible.
5. Catch Them Doing Well
If you teach students in more than one context, make a point of noticing when they are succeeding.
Celebrate effort. Praise progress. Share success.
Events such as the European Day of Languages are fantastic opportunities to promote languages and “sell” our subjects to students and parents alike. Parents’ evenings are equally powerful moments to highlight achievement and build pride in language learning.
6. Promote Languages Beyond the Classroom
Use public spaces and digital platforms to showcase learning:
- School displays
- Corridors and communal areas
- School newsletters
- Social media (for example, a departmental Instagram account)
Sharing high-quality work and positive messages reinforces the value of languages. It also helps parents see the richness of what is happening in your classroom.
7. Use Informal Moments to Build Relationships
Break time conversations matter.
Speaking to students outside the formal lesson setting builds rapport in a different way. You might talk about:
- A sports competition
- A school event
- Homework
- Or simply how their week is going
These interactions humanise us and strengthen relationships. They also create subtle opportunities to reinforce expectations and promote your subject naturally.
8. Make Time for Positive Phone Calls Home
We often say, “I don’t have time.” Yet positive phone calls home are powerful.
They:
- Strengthen home–school partnerships
- Increase student motivation
- Build goodwill with families
- Reinforce positive behaviour
Even one or two each week can transform the climate around your subject.
Final Thoughts
Engagement is not about producing twenty worksheets. It is about presence, consistency and relationships.
Greet warmly.
Stay calm.
Be consistent.
Use positive language.
Celebrate success loudly and correct quietly.