Common Spanish Phrases for Teachers to Use with ESL Students and Parents 

According to the latest U.S. census data, more than 40 million people in the United States speak Spanish. And for families that speak a language other than English (LOTE), Spanish is by far the most common language spoken; Spanish speakers are nearly two-thirds of all LOTE speakers in the country.

These statistics help explain the transformation of U.S. classrooms in the past 10-20 years. Previously, English was the dominant language for students and teachers. Increasingly, the ability to accommodate English as a Second Language (ESL) students is critical for communicating key learning concepts, assigning homework, monitoring student progress, and forming inclusive classroom communities.

Should teachers learn basic Spanish? What are some common phrases in Spanish for teachers? Is it worth learning conversational Spanish for teachers, not just fundamental words and phrases? Let’s take a look at how a growing bilingual environment in U.S. schools has both short-term and long-term implications for education. 

Why Teachers Should Learn Basic Spanish

Basic Spanish for teachers used to be a nice-to-have, niche skillset. Today, particularly in states with large Hispanic and Latino populations (California, Arizona, Texas, Florida, etc.), educators are concentrating on basic Spanish phrases for teachers as a way to ensure every student in the classroom has proper guidance and instruction, even as Spanish speakers work to learn English.

Here are a few reasons why common Spanish phrases for teachers are beneficial:

• Accommodate classrooms with a high percentage of ESL students: Spanish is the second most widely spoken language in the world, and American classrooms are beginning to reflect that. Supporting students who speak Spanish at home sometimes means providing encouragement and instructions in their home language.
• Personal growth: Sure, Spanish in the classroom has obvious advantages. But learning basic Spanish for teachers has benefits that extend beyond the classroom. Learning Spanish has undeniable cognitive benefits, expands & enhances personal experiences, and it’s also the perfect “gateway” to learn other Romance languages such as Portuguese, Italian, and French.
• Classroom connections: When the head of the classroom knows Spanish – even basic words and phrases – it sets a positive example for the rest of the class, including English-only speakers. Communication with both students and ESL parents improves. Even basic Spanish can act as a critical connection between cultures.

Conversational Spanish Phrases for Educators: Can You Learn Quickly? 

Acquiring a core set of fundamental Spanish phrases is one thing – but what about conversational Spanish for teachers? In an interesting development, many educators are back in the role of student, attempting to acquire Spanish on a more complex level.

If you’re a teacher and are considering learning Spanish for your ESL students, we have some good news: learning Spanish is easier and more accessible than ever before, thanks to Pimsleur’s intuitive, audio-based lessons and courses. Based on the Pimsleur Method™, a scientifically-proven technique for acquiring languages quickly, our lessons are specifically geared toward novice learners, but are also effective for people with a basic working knowledge of Spanish, too.

Teachers are busy people … with especially hectic schedules during the school year. The Pimsleur app offers convenient learning on the go, anytime and anywhere! With the Pimsleur app in your pocket, it’s always a great time to learn Spanish, for both professional and personal enrichment.

On top of core Audio Lessons that you can take with you anywhere, Pimsleur continues to prioritize both convenience and quality with a whole new experience for learners. Pimsleur’s Latin American Spanish course has a new feature that tailors your learning to your goals: our AI Conversation Coach. With our Conversation Coach, you not only review what you’ve learned from our core Audio Lessons, but you also personalize conversation scenarios to get the most out of your daily language learning time. If you’re a teacher, perhaps that means you’ll be chatting with our Conversation Coach about assigning homework, communicating with parents, and whichever popular phrases that will immediately help form a bond with your students. That doesn’t sound like your path? No problem! The Conversation Coach is customizable. And if your interests or goals change, then you can change your Conversation Coach scenarios. It’s the perfect way to build healthy language learning habits because you’ll be learning precisely what aligns with your goals.

So, if you’re an educator with an interest in learning common Spanish phrases for teachers, and perhaps progressing beyond that to conversational competency, we have you covered! 

Commonly Used Essential Classroom Spanish Phrases

Here are some essential, basic Spanish phrases for teachers. These sayings are ideal for communicating with ESL students:

Conversational Spanish for Addressing Parents

In order to communicate with ESL parents, you’ll need a core collection of phrases to communicate student progress, ask questions, and gather more information. Try these:

Take the Next Step in Your ESL Classroom Communication Skills by Learning Spanish

If you’re ready to learn conversational Spanish or even basic Spanish for teachers, Pimsleur is ready to help today! We have special discounts for educators and teachers – all you have to do is check your eligibility!If you qualify, you’ll enjoy 30% off our All Access annual subscription and 54% off our Lifetime All Access. A discount and a new AI Conversation Coach? The perfect combination for the ambitious, thoughtful educator.