Spanish 1: First Steps | 8 Topics, 4 Unit Checks & 4 Speaking Studios | Grades 6–8

Spanish 1: First Steps is a printable beginner Spanish unit for grades 6–8. Students greet people, introduce themselves, talk about family and school, use regular -ar verbs and make a plan together. The classroom material has 53 pages and the separate teacher guide has 21 pages with answers. It is written for middle school Spanish teachers, for bilingual programs and for international schools. Explanations and task instructions are in English and the target language is Spanish. It does not replace a full textbook.

The unit has eight topics, from Saludos e identidad to Un plan juntos. Each topic has an explanation page, a practice page, a language studio and a case card. The language studios apply the language in a task, for example describing a fictional family, using school places and a timetable, or practicing regular present tense verbs. Four unit checks test progress. Four speaking studios ask students to apply the language independently and then explain and revise their choices. Complete listening scripts are supplied. Audio files are not included.

What's Included

• Classroom Material: 53 pages (PDF)
• Teacher Guide: 21 pages (PDF), with keys, expected responses and assessment feedback
• Presentation with 17 slides
• Editable DOCX text editions of the classroom and teacher material
• Complete listening scripts (audio files are not included)
• Real-page previews that show the actual layout

The 8 Topics

• Topic 1: Saludos e identidad – Greetings, introductions and identity.
• Topic 2: Ser, estar y tener – The different functions of three common verbs.
• Topic 3: Mi familia – Describing a fictional family.
• Topic 4: Artículos y adjetivos – Articles and adjective agreement.
• Topic 5: El instituto – School places and a timetable.
• Topic 6: Verbos en -ar – Regular present tense verbs.
• Topic 7: Tiempo libre – Preferences and activities.
• Topic 8: Un plan juntos – Planning a fictional activity together.
• Unit checks 1 to 4 – Four checks, each with a key in the teacher guide.
• Speaking studios 1 to 4 – Independent application with reasoning and revision, each with a key.

Students Will Learn To

• Greet people and introduce themselves in Spanish
• Tell apart the uses of ser, estar and tener
• Describe a family and a school day using articles and adjectives that agree
• Form and use regular -ar verbs in the present tense
• Talk about free time and plan an activity together

Perfect For

• Grades 6–8 beginner Spanish with no prior knowledge
• Bilingual programs and international schools where English is the working language
• Spanish as a third language with English-language explanations
• Teachers who want an answer key, listening scripts and a presentation
• UK and Australia: roughly Years 7 to 9

Why Teachers Choose This Unit

• Each of the eight topics has its own language studio, so grammar is applied in a task
• Four speaking studios ask students to give reasons for their choices and revise
• The teacher guide has keys for all four unit checks and all four speaking studios
• Complete listening scripts let you read the texts aloud or record them yourself
• The teacher guide includes an assessment key with feedback, a page on differentiation and observation, and a page on sources and AI production

Every resource is built around the curriculum you teach – and if something doesn't fit your standards, the TeachLessons Guarantee applies: we adapt it for you.

Created with AI assistance. Texts and illustrations were generated with AI support and edited for classroom use; sources and production notes are at the end of the teacher guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which standards does this unit fit?

The unit is written for grades 6–8 beginners. The closest US framework is the ACTFL World-Readiness Standards for Learning Languages, Novice range. No alignment or endorsement is claimed.

Are answers included?

Yes. The separate 21-page teacher guide has keys for all four unit checks and all four speaking studios, expected responses for the eight topics, an assessment key with feedback and notes on differentiation.

How long does the unit take?

The brief gives no fixed duration. Plan it by topic: each of the eight topics has an explanation page, a practice page, a language studio and a case card, followed by unit checks and speaking studios. The teacher guide has a page on sequence and preparation.

Are audio files included?

No. Complete listening scripts are included, which you can read aloud or record yourself, but there are no audio files.