You know that tingly feeling you get when you walk out your door without your phone or keys? You just feel like something is off. That is how I feel when there is no music playing in my classroom. It is eerily quiet and I honestly feel slightly uncomfortable. Even those students that rolled their eyes at the beginning of the semester about having to listen to music in Spanish look around and ask me to turn it on.
I love using Pandora because it both introduces students to new songs regularly AND also plays those favorites we’ve given a thumbs-up to often. Few things warm my Spanish teaching heart more than catching a student singing along to a song in Spanish. The ads in Spanish are a bonus for language development, too!
Music complements a foreign language class perfectly because it exposes students to the language and culture in a fun and engaging way. I don’t think I have ever met a high student that didn’t like music and it provides the perfect backdrop to quiet work time or a lively game. Working on a Cuba unit? Play Cuban music that week! Kids working on biographies of famous Latinos? Introduce them to influential musicians with a station like Salsa Radio or Buena Vista Social Club. Playing music is a wonderful gateway to discussions on pop culture, as well. Students are always fascinated by what is popular in music from country to country.
Wondering how to play Pandora in your classroom? I use this Bose bluetooth speaker (not an affiliate link) and my iPhone to play music since most districts frown upon streaming music on school computers. You’ll want to be on wi-fi or an unlimited data plan as you burn through data pretty quickly otherwise.
Below you will find a list of 20 Pandora stations that I have used in the classroom. Which one I use depends on the activity and what mood I am trying to set. If I want students to settle down and focus on a writing assignment, I play a station like Baladas or Canciones Románticos. If we are playing a rousing game of ¡Cucharas! or walking around doing task cards, stations like Pop Latino and Shakira radio are always up-beat and a hit. (Disclaimer: I cannot promise every. single. song. on these stations is school appropriate so keep your ears open in case you need to skip one every once in a while.)
1. Pop Latino
2. Shakira Radio
3. Salsa Radio
4. Cuban
5. Tropical
6. Latin Club
7. Canciones Románticos
8. Flamenco
9. La Quinta Estación
10. Jesse & Joy
11. Laura Pausini
12. Los de Abajo
13. Mana
14. Zahara
15. Buena Vista Social Club
16. Enrique Iglesias
17. New Latin & Tropical
18. Navidad Latina Radio
19. Camila
20. Baladas
Do you have a favorite station that is not on my list? Please comment with it below! I am always looking for new stations to try. Happy listening!
12 Comments
I listen to Juanes Radio, Manu Chao, Shakira, Salsa & Navidad Mexicana! Love this list.
Maná, Bachata or Romeo Santos, Julieta Venegas, Reik, Sabina, Facundo Cabral, Selena & Jarabe de Palo. I find that a lot of my favorites play on all channels though. I must like the same kind of music LOL
Ooo! Adding Juanes to my list! Thanks!
@La Senora Straub "Que Vida La Mia" is one of my favorite songs! Thanks for sharing your list. I will check them out!
Arpa Peruana, El Día de los Muertos Radio, En la Navidad Radio, Gipsy Kings, Latin Alternative, Mexican Traditional Radio, Música Tropical, Navidad Colombiana, Navidad Latina, A Puerto Rico, Rock en Español, and Spanish Guitar Radio are my offerings! 🙂
Which of these would recommend for a new speaker? I want to be able to follow the lyrics, so something simple… or perhaps a children song station?
Alvaro Soler station!
I teach in a Christian school so enjoy Jesus Adrian Romero, Marcela Gandara and Spanish Christian music in general. That way I don't have to worry about the content.
Love them all!!❤️
I teach in a catholic school and I love : Jon Carlo, Hermana Glenda, Alfareros, Father Rob Galea and Ivan Diaz
Sebastian Yatra
Juan Luis Guerra, Chris Lebron, Ricardo Montaner, David Bisbal, Pablo Alborán.