I wrote about the free Spanish learning songs on Rockalingua a few months ago. Recently, I checked out their new songs, videos, games and worksheets. I am so impressed by the quality materials they offer for teaching children Spanish, and they are continually adding more! All of the songs and support materials provide fun, high-interest comprehensible input.
In addition to a selection of free materials, Rockalingua has subscriptions that give you access to all of the Spanish learning songs and other materials on the website. They also have a store where you can buy their music and videos. No matter what your teaching situation, I encourage you to take advantage of the free trial Rockalingua offers.
See our list of resources with Spanish lesson plans and elementary Spanish curriculum reviews.
Features of Rockalingua Spanish Learning Songs
Music
Rockalingua songs have a contemporary sound that appeals to kids.
Themes
Vocabulary and structures commonly included in elementary curricula make the materials a perfect supplement to any program. For example, there are songs that teach numbers, letters, days of the week, seasons, parts of the body, common first person verbs, adjectives, feelings, means of transportation, clothes, places, professions, etc.
The Tempo
Rockalingua songs have a tempo that makes them fun to sing, yet is optimal for clarity and correct pronunciation. The beat guarantees that kids will stress words correctly.
Lyric Pages
Printable sing-along lyric sheets with drawings clarify the lyrics. Kids can color these sheets and you can use them for activities.
Music Videos
Rockalingua has music videos with images that correspond to the lyrics create comprehensible input.On-screen lyrics on the music videos make it easy for kids to sing along.
Worksheets
Worksheets with the vocabulary and images from the songs give kids with additional exposure and practice.
No-Prep
Materials require no preparation on a teacher’s part, yet provide an effective, fun learning experience. I can walk into class with these songs and lyrics sheets and teach a lesson.
Important Structures
Songs include common, high-frequency structures kids need to hear over and over to internalize. For example, I love that the transportation song goes A mí me gusta viajar…repeating the a mí me. I also like that common reflexive verbs are included in several of the songs. You can hear a bit of the song in the video below, and listen to the entire Spanish transportation song on the Rockalingua website.
Rockalingua Videos and Games
– The videos are great! They are funny (Mi amigo Bob) or cool (ABC Rock&Roll) or cute (Colorín Colorado). They are not the same, but they are all good.
– The games provide additional vocabulary practice at different levels of mastery. The drop and drag matching games do not require kids to produce the language. In the concept race games, on the other hand, kids have to write the words. All of the games provide additional exposure to native speaker audio. The games are timed, and are challenging enough that kids will have to do them several times, and really know their vocabulary, to win. The games will also be available on tablet in a few weeks.
Additional Considerations
Re-entering material
I know that all of us work very hard to spiral, re-enter, and review what we teach. As kids acquire more language, it is difficult to cover what we would like during class time. Singing is an effective, quick review of vocabulary and structures. When it is coupled with video to create comprehensible input, children can get a tremendous amount of language in a few minutes. Because the whole class is actively involved by singing, this is a very efficient use of class time.
Extension activities
These materials are ready to use and effective as they are. However, there are many additional ways to use the music in class. Kids can lip sync a song, or present it with “Glee-style” choreography. They can illustrate a song with their own drawing or photos, act it out, or create a role play that includes all of the lines. There are lots of possibilities. I am sure that your kids or students will be able to unlock the potential in these songs.
Homeschoolers
Teaching languages can be a challenge in a home school setting. These songs are fun and dynamic and provide excellent exposure to native speaker audio. I think that they could be of particular value to homeschooling families and groups as a supplement to an online or traditional curriculum.
Do you use Rockalingua’s Spanish learning songs? Which songs do your kids like best? We would love to hear from you!
Erin
Oct 24, 2013
We started using the body parts song in my class this year and my kids loved it! The tune gets stuck in their heads, and that means the vocabulary does too! These are great. Thank you!
Tarrah Meyering
Oct 24, 2013
I found the rockalingua site via Spanish playground ‘ think it is awesome! I have a 6th grader & 4th grader, 1st grader and preschooler all in Spanish immersion. Love to learn by songs! We like the alphabet song and seasons. Thank you!
Amy Jacobs
Oct 24, 2013
I plan on using the parts of the body song this next week as I introduce this vocabulary. It’s perfect, and fun. I notice the kids retain so much more when they are singing.
Maria
Oct 24, 2013
I sing pulgarcito, las ruedas del camión, pin pon and some others 🙂 thank you for this offer 😀
Susan
Oct 25, 2013
Las partes del cuerpo
Nivea
Oct 25, 2013
My students love colorin colorado!
Yohanna Ruger
Oct 25, 2013
Me gusta cantarle los pollitos, el elefante del circo y la manzana.
Anastasia Mendoza
Oct 25, 2013
We sing the alphabet sing and you are my sunshine. Then we turn any conversation into a song!
Rachel
Oct 25, 2013
I used Los sentimientos with my 4th graders, and they loved it! They sang along every time and giggled with the silly pictures.
Cecilia
Oct 25, 2013
Colors song! Would love to win the subscription!
Margarita
Oct 26, 2013
I love all the Rockalingua songs, but I think my favorite one is ¿A dónde vas? This song helps me to teach a vocabulary that was hard for me to teach before( I work with young kids). Now the students are learning it in a fun way.
Thank you!
Carolina
Oct 26, 2013
We love singing Colorin Colorado! Es fenomenal! The whole collection of songs is great!
Brenda
Oct 28, 2013
I work with high school students but in the spring we help teach kindergarten students some basics of Spanish. I love dias de semana son siete. Thank you for a great resource of materials and songs!
Penny
Oct 28, 2013
This is very neat. We listened to several of the songs so far that are available on their site. My favorite part of it is the lyrics a super simple and you could use the sing a long lyrics pictures – I would probably laminate them for double duty. I don’t think I have a favorite yet, but the Colorin Colorado was good as was the Days of the Week. Right now my daughter’s favorite is from Little Pim’s Spanish Bop CD – Clap, Clap, Clap.
Jessica dunn
Oct 29, 2013
La araña pequeñita is our favorite right now!! I love using songs to teach my daughter!!
Kristel
Oct 29, 2013
I want to teach my students the rockalingua days of the week song. I love the coloring sheets that go with the songs. I can’t wait to show my students the body parts song!
Amy Saucer
Oct 29, 2013
WoW!! This giveaway is AWESOME!! The song ¿A Dónde Vas? would be a great addition to my Question Words unit!!
Dana
Oct 30, 2013
I would use all of them but am particularly excited about the numbers and 4 seasons.
escbrmes
Oct 30, 2013
I love the adonde vas song and want to teach it to our Spanish club students!
Katie Scherrer
Oct 30, 2013
I love to sing “que llueva” and would love to learn “partes del cuerpo”!
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