Teaching high school Spanish is its own unique world. It takes a certain kind of energy to keep teenagers engaged while managing the heavy lifting of language acquisition. This week, I’m thrilled to feature Bethany, or as you may also know her, La Señora Eller.
Based in South Carolina, Bethany has spent 15 years in the classroom, primarily working with grades 9–12. She’s learned exactly what it takes to move beyond the textbook and build a classroom where students actually feel at home. From her early days of treating Spanish like a "secret code" to her current role as a mentor for her students, she has so much wisdom to share.
I asked Bethany to share a bit more about her journey, from the 'secret code' that first hooked her on Spanish to the specific routines she uses to keep her sanity (and her students' engagement) high. Keep reading to get to know the heart behind her classroom and the one game she’d choose if she could only pick one for the rest of the year."
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Building a Spanish Classroom Culture of Trust
Bethany’s path to teaching Spanish started in high school. Her own teachers made Spanish look like so much fun that she fell in love with the idea of being able to speak "in code" and that inspiration eventually led her to the front of her own classroom!
But if you look at her classroom today, her focus goes way beyond grammar. By the end of the first week, her students know that while she wants them to love the language, she cares more about being a trusted adult who is invested in their wellbeing.
In any Spanish class, that foundation of trust is what allows students to take the risks necessary to speak a new language. If you've ever had to fight to convince your students that it's OK to make mistakes and not be embarrassed, you know what we're talking about!
Engaging High School Spanish Activities for Movement and Competition
When things need to get active, Bethany has a few go-to strategies that require minimal prep but offer maximum engagement. And let's be honest, we all need those "break glass in case of emergency" ideas that actually work with teenagers.
The "One Game" Choice: Trashketball
If you ask any Spanish teacher, we all have that one activity we swear by—the one that lives in your back pocket for when the energy dies or a lesson ends too early. For Bethany, this "holy grail" activity is Trashketball.
What is Trashketball?
If you haven't seen this in action, Trashketball is the ultimate low-prep, high-engagement review game. It’s essentially a quiz-show style competition where the "reward" for a correct answer is a chance to throw a ball (usually a crumpled piece of paper) into a "basket" for bonus points.
The best part? You can use Trashketball to review almost anything. While Bethany uses it for grammar, it is just as effective for:
- Vocabulary: Give a definition in English; students race to write the Spanish word.
- Culture: Fast-fire facts about Día de los Muertos or geography.
- Reading Comprehension: Ask a quick true/false question about a story you just read.
How Bethany Uses It
She uses it to help her students master the verb IR (to go).
- The Workflow: Students work together in groups to answer questions quickly and correctly.
- The Incentive: The fastest group with the right answer gets to shoot the basketball for additional points.
- The Winning Prize: The winning team gets extra points on the upcoming test or quiz—the ultimate motivator for any high schooler!
My Take: Why This Version Actually Works
We’ve all been there—trying to get a room full of 15-year-olds excited about verb endings can feel like pulling teeth. But Bethany’s version of Trashketball solves the two biggest headaches of classroom games: engagement and accountability.
The Rotating Writer Rule: This is the "secret sauce." Bethany requires the writer to rotate each round. We’ve all seen games where one "superstar" student carries the whole team while the others check out. By forcing the rotation, every student is held accountable for the conjugations. No one can hide!
The 3-Pointer Option: I love that she adds a 3-pointer shot from further back. It keeps the score close and the energy high until the very last second of the period. It turns a boring Tuesday review into the NBA finals.
The 15-Minute Planning Hack: Task Cards
When the clock is ticking and prep time is disappearing, Bethany reaches for Task Cards. Task cards are fantastic as they are very versatile and can be used individually, in small groups or with the whole class as warm-ups. They're ideal if you only have 15 minutes to prep.
Just print and cut the cards and get your students to hang them around the room, like Bethany does!
Once the "decorating" is done, students grab a recording sheet or their notebooks and move from card to card (either alone or in pairs), answering questions as they go.
Why I love this idea
Let’s be honest: why are we always the ones running around the room with rolls of tape two minutes before the bell rings?
I love this "hack" for two reasons. First, letting the students do the setup gets them out of their seats and moving immediately—it’s a built-in transition. Second, it gives them a "preview" of the work they’re about to do, which can lower anxiety for some learners. Most importantly, it saves our precious prep minutes for the million other things on our to-do lists. It’s a win for the students and a massive win for teacher wellbeing.
Having the right tools ready to go makes these transitions even smoother—you can see my must-have Spanish Classroom Supplies here.
Advice for the Overwhelmed Spanish Teacher
After 15 years in the classroom, Bethany knows that the biggest threat to a great teacher isn't a bad lesson plan—it’s burnout. Her best tip for any teacher feeling underwater is to find a trustworthy support system and, more importantly, to be specific about what you need.
"Don't be afraid to ask for help," Bethany says. "The people that love and care about you can't read your mind. Give them specific questions such as, 'I am having trouble with ____. Would you be able to help me one day this week?'"
Protecting Your Peace
This is such an important reminder. We often feel like we have to be "super-teachers" who have it all figured out, but the reality is that teaching is a team sport. Whether it’s asking a colleague for a copy of their favorite reading passage, grabbing a resource from TpT or asking a friend to help you vent after a long day — being specific about your struggle makes it much easier for people to actually support you.
A freebie from Bethany
If you need a way to turn standard grammar practice into a high-energy event, Bethany has you covered. She’s sharing her Spanish Conjugation Relay Game specifically for -AR Present Tense verbs.
Here is how you can use it in your classroom:
This game allows students to work in groups and practice verb conjugations in a fun way! The teacher calls out a verb and each student in the row will write the conjugation of the verb that matches the correct subject. It's perfect for a quick review when students need a fast-paced game!
Double fun! My freebie to you
If your students need a "brain break" that still keeps them focused on the language, try a color by code activity. This Present Tense -ER Verbs Color-by-Code sheet is the perfect "cool down" activity to use after Bethany's high-energy session of Trashketball.
Quick Tips for Teacher Wellbeing:
Set Boundaries: Don't feel guilty about leaving on time once in a while.
Specific Asks: Instead of saying "I'm stressed," try "Could you help me brainstorm a 10-minute warm-up for tomorrow?"
Find Your People: Surround yourself with the "marigolds" in your building—the teachers who encourage you rather than the ones who drain you.
The Lightning Round: Quick Choices & Daydreams
The Lightning Round: Quick Choices & DaydreamsTo wrap things up, and so we can all get to know Bethany and her teaching style a bit better, I asked for her gut reactions to a few topics:
- Go-to for real language? Music and songs (the ultimate hook for high schoolers!).
- Brain break or movement? Brain breaks (time for everybody to have a little break).
- New ideas from? Podcasts (perfect for that commute).
- Dream vacation? A full summer in Spain.
- The Big Debate: Tacos definitely win over Paella in her book!
Connect with Bethany
If you loved these ideas as much as I did, make sure to follow Bethany and see more of her high school resources over at her TpT Store: La Señora Eller.
Wrapping Up: The Heart of the High School Classroom
Talking with Bethany reminded me that while the games and the "secret codes" are what get the students through the door, it’s the connection that keeps them there. Whether you are prepping a Trashketball bin or hanging task cards, you are building a space where students feel seen.
I hope these ideas from La Señora Eller give you a little extra wind in your sails this week. Teaching high school isn't always easy, but with a few good "hacks" and a solid community, it’s one of the most rewarding jobs in the world.
Want more low-prep Spanish resources?
I have a whole shop full of Spanish activities designed to save you time and keep your students engaged! Don't forget to visit and follow me!
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