This workshop helps you use and understand common Spanish classroom instructions. You will practice getting the class's attention, asking students to repeat, setting up pair work, and checking if anyone has questions. The phrases come from short classroom exchanges. You will hear the teacher and a student respond. You can play both roles with the audio. Use the answer keys and self-checks to guide your speaking.
Getting attention and asking for repetition
Start by learning two key phrases. The first is a polite way to bring the group back together: «Atención, por favor.». It means 'Attention, please.' The second tells the class to repeat after you: «Repitan después de mí.». It means 'Repeat after me.' In a short exchange, the teacher combines them: «Atención, por favor. Repitan después de mí: '¿Cómo estás?'». The teacher says 'Attention, please. Repeat after me: How are you?' Then a student repeats the question: «¿Cómo estás?». Notice how the teacher uses the polite attention phrase first, then gives the repetition command. This sequence helps everyone focus before they speak.
Setting up pair work and checking for questions
After repetition, you can move to pair work. The phrase «Trabajen con un compañero.» means 'Work with a partner.' It is a command for the whole class. To check if anyone needs help, ask «¿Tienen preguntas?», which means 'Do you have questions?' In the longer exchange, the teacher says «Muy bien. Ahora trabajen con un compañero. ¿Tienen preguntas?»: 'Very good. Now work with a partner. Do you have questions?' A student replies «No, gracias. Vamos a trabajar en parejas.»: 'No, thank you. We are going to work in pairs.' This shows a typical flow: praise, instruction, and a question check. The student's answer confirms understanding and shows readiness to start.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
Atención, por favor.
Attention, please.
ah-TEN-syohn, por fah-BOR
Repitan después de mí.
Repeat after me.
reh-PEE-tahn des-PWEHS deh MEE
Trabajen con un compañero.
Work with a partner.
trah-BAH-hen kohn oon kohm-pah-NYEH-roh
¿Tienen preguntas?
Do you have questions?
TYEH-nehn preh-GOON-tahs
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
Atención, por favor. Repitan después de mí: '¿Cómo estás?'
Attention, please. Repeat after me: 'How are you?'¿Cómo estás?
How are you?Muy bien. Ahora trabajen con un compañero. ¿Tienen preguntas?
Very good. Now work with a partner. Do you have questions?No, gracias. Vamos a trabajar en parejas.
No, thank you. We are going to work in pairs.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided exchange: Teacher gives instructions
Imagine you are the teacher. You want to get the class's attention, ask them to repeat a question, then set pair work and check for questions. Use the recordings as your model.
Your task: Listen to «Atención, por favor. Repitan después de mí: '¿Cómo estás?'» and «Muy bien. Ahora trabajen con un compañero. ¿Tienen preguntas?». Then say the teacher's lines aloud. Pause after each line and imagine the class responding. Use the exact phrases from the recordings. After you finish, use the follow-up and self-checks to guide your next attempt.
Reply comprehension: Choose the correct student response
You will hear a teacher's instruction. Then you will see two possible student replies. Choose the one that fits the situation.
Your task: Listen to «Muy bien. Ahora trabajen con un compañero. ¿Tienen preguntas?». The teacher says: 'Very good. Now work with a partner. Do you have questions?' Which student reply is correct? Option A: «No, gracias. Vamos a trabajar en parejas.». Option B: «¿Cómo estás?». Say your choice aloud, then check below.
Recall and role play: Teacher and student
Now you will recall the full exchange. You will play both the teacher and the student. Use the recordings to guide you.
Your task: First, say the teacher's lines from «Atención, por favor. Repitan después de mí: '¿Cómo estás?'» and «Muy bien. Ahora trabajen con un compañero. ¿Tienen preguntas?». Then say the student's lines from «¿Cómo estás?» and «No, gracias. Vamos a trabajar en parejas.». Try to do it without looking at the text. If you need help, listen to the recordings again. Check your answer below.
Common questions
Do I need to use the exact words from the recordings?
Yes, for this practice, use the exact phrases from the recordings. They are common classroom instructions. Using them as they are helps you build confidence and sound natural. You can later adapt them, but first practice the recorded forms.
Can I practice alone if I don't have a partner?
Yes. You can play both roles by saying the teacher's lines and then the student's lines. The recordings give you the model. Pause the audio and repeat. This is a good way to practice pronunciation and rhythm without a partner.
Sources and further reading
- spanish: classroom phrases for teachersChecked September 2026
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