As language teachers, you know firsthand that music and film are powerful tools for learning, but when paired with spooky themes, they spark curiosity and keep students engaged. This month, inject a little thrill and mystery into your lessons by listening to and watching ghost stories, suspenseful soundtracks, and haunting legends. Here are some suggestions for using music and film to inspire Spanish learners in October:
Spooky Music
- La Llorona by Angela Aguilar is a truly eerie melody that alludes to the well-known legend. The song is slow and easy to understand, lending itself perfectly for a cloze activity where students fill in the missing lyrics. After, you can show them the Spanish and English dual lyric video to check for understanding and discuss the history behind the folktale.
- El Jinete by Enrique Bunbury is a tragic song about a broken man riding around on horseback looking for death so he can reunite with his deceased beloved. As if the lyrics aren’t chilling enough, this black and white video will give your class the haunted Halloween vibes you’re looking for.
- La Llorona from the Disney movie “Coco” is an ideal option for younger students. The song is an adaptation of the authentic folk song, but it still provides an opportunity to explore the legend through a kid-friendly format that is culturally relevant.
Spooky Films and Videos
- No mires ahí is a short film appropriate for older students in the horror genre. The suspenseful music and creepy cinematography are jump-scare worthy without being gory or graphic. The plot deals with a death of a family member due to illness though, so it’s a good idea to prepare students before showing.
- Día de los Muertos is a short, beautifully animated film that is the right amount of spooky and sentimental. All ages will enjoy seeing the Day of the Dead celebration through the eyes of a little girl visiting her departed loved one on this special night where the two worlds connect again.
- El Chupacabras: cuento de terror para niños recounts the terrorizing Latin American legend of a supernatural predator called the chupacabra that kills its prey by sucking its blood. Goats, being their victim of choice, is how the beast earned its name. There are also many English-language short videos available that dive into the mystery and backstory of this folktale that students can compare and contrast.
By Kelli Drummer-Avendano
Also read:
Interactive Role-Play Activities: Halloween en la casa embrujada (Halloween at the Haunted House)
