Building Connections Through Online Spanish Language Learning

¡Hola familia! As an online teacher, I can tell you that there are many benefits to virtual learning.  In today’s post, I want to highlight one of those benefits – the power of students building connections in the online classroom. We all know that remote learning presents challenges.  With some intentional planning, a sense of connection and collaboration can be created in a virtual classroom. ¿Estáis preparados?  ¡Vamos!

The benefits of building connections in classes are no secret, familia. When learners feel connected and supported it boosts their engagement with the material.  It also increases their motivation to learn. In virtual classrooms where physical interactions are limited, fostering connections becomes even more crucial. In an environment where everyone feels included and valued, students have a sense of belonging and a safe space where they can express themselves without hesitation. This positive atmosphere can boost students on their journey of learning Spanish. ¡Es increíble!

Déjame compartir – let me share a story with you that shows the power of building relationships with students. I had a small group of students who were a little hesitant to participate in virtual discussions. In remote classes, moments of connection don’t happen as naturally as they do in a physical classroom.  These students were from many different countries around the world. They felt unsure about interacting with people outside their culture.  I knew I had to find a way to create opportunities for them to connect and collaborate in our virtual setting.  We focused on community building.  I started incorporating virtual collaborative projects, discussion boards, and even virtual breakout rooms where students could interact and work together. 

After a few sessions of our class, the students’ engagement skyrocketed.  They eagerly participated in discussions, collaborated on assignments, and even helped each other overcome any language barriers they encountered along the way.  My favorite part of this, familia, is when students ask each other for help and support.  The international perspectives they get from their classmates make the interactions rich in learning opportunities.  Es mágico, de verdad.

So, how do I ensure that every student feels included and valued in my virtual classroom?  What makes my students feel safe and connected?  How do I encourage building connections?  I use many different strategies to help me to support connections and promote collaboration, while also fostering students’ interest in learning Spanish.  Here are a few that are easy to implement and make a big impact on the students in my classroom.

We Get to Know Each Other

One thing I have always done is start each class with a fun icebreaker activity to help students get to know each other. It could be something as simple as sharing their favorite Spanish word or playing a virtual “Dos de verdad y una mentira” (two truths and a lie) game. This sets a positive tone and encourages interaction right from the start. It also allows students to start sharing their personalities and cultures with each other.

 And let me tell you what, familia: This WORKS.  I once logged into class and saw two of my students sitting TOGETHER!  A student from California had flown across the country to visit his friend from la clase de español in Florida.  It was incredible to see their friendship grow in Spanish class, and such a shock to see them sitting together.  They only knew each other from time spent together in online Spanish classes, but building connections in that class actually strengthened the students’ real life relationships.

We Work Together

Next, I like to assign group projects that require students to work together virtually. I give them clear guidelines and encourage them to communicate and share ideas. This promotes collaboration.  It also organically increases students’ language skills as they navigate cultural differences and negotiate ideas in Spanish.  

 In addition to talking with each other to share ideas, students collaborating on projects use the virtual workspaces to brainstorm, share images, and write together during class time.  Using information in different ways creates multiple memory pathways in the brain to make the learning deeper and easier to access.   Working together accelerates learning because each person comes with slightly different ideas and ways of presenting information. So, students end up teaching and learning from each other.  

.We Talk to Each Other

Another way I like to create opportunities for building connections is through in class discussion and virtual chats. I ask stimulating questions and encourage students to share their differing perspectives. This not only develops critical thinking skills but once again provides them with a platform to practice expressing themselves in Spanish.  Learning vocabulary to express an idea or opinion is so much better than drilling and memorizing vocabulary from a list.

This is really where relationships are built in class.  Discussions and chats bring students together in ways that just conjugating verbs could never do.  Learning vocabulary to express an idea or opinion is so much better than drilling and memorizing vocabulary from a list.

The students in the story above did not start a friendship because they sat in the same class together passively learning.  They formed a friendship by talking to each other, sharing stories, and working together.  

We Create Community

I always strive to recognize and celebrate the achievements of my students. Highlighting their accomplishments in class and providing positive feedback boosts their confidence.  It also reinforces the sense of community and support among classmates.  Remember, feedback is una herramienta poderosa – a powerful tool – for language learning. 

I think it is equally important to encourage students to give and receive constructive feedback from their classmates. This allows students to learn from each other.  These skills are important in many life situations, not just in Spanish language learning. It teaches students to give feedback in encouraging and honest ways.  It teaches students to receive criticism and use it to learn.  It promotes a growth mindset that is vital for life-long learning.