Materials & Prep
- Project or write the dialogue and word bank below.
- Prepare one half-sheet “Encuentra a alguien” speaking checklist per student with three blank name lines.
- Usual classroom space for a brief partner mingle; no other materials needed.
English Greeting Connection
Ask“Without leaving your seat, turn to a neighbor and do this in English: say hi, say your name, and ask their name.” Invite two pairs to demonstrate. Students already know that a greeting is a short back-and-forth, not one person saying three sentences alone.
Connect“You just used the pattern we need in Spanish: greet, say who you are, then invite the other person to respond.” Tell students they will use the same conversation pattern with Spanish words.
Mini-Lesson and Model
Display
Hola. = Hi. Me llamo . = My name is . ¿Cómo te llamas? = What is your name?
ModelGreet an imaginary student while pointing to each line: “Hola. Me llamo Señora/Señor . ¿Cómo te llamas?” Pause, then answer as the student: “Hola. Me llamo Ana.” Explain that Spanish speakers commonly use hola with classmates and friends; it is a friendly, real greeting.
Think aloud“I do not translate one word at a time. I remember this as a whole conversation pattern. After I say Me llamo, I say my name. When I want the other person’s name, I use ¿Cómo te llamas?” Point out the upside-down question mark as a visual signal that the question begins.
MisconceptionAsk students to predict which sounds more natural after someone says “Me llamo Diego”: “Me llamo Diego” or “Hola, me llamo .” Reveal that repeating only their own name does not respond to the question. A conversation needs the listener to greet and introduce themself. Briefly contrast word-for-word English order with the useful Spanish phrase students should keep together: Me llamo.
Have students echo each line with a hand signal: wave for Hola, point to self for Me llamo, open palm toward a partner for ¿Cómo te llamas? Listen for understandable meaning, not perfect accent.
Guided Conversation
Display the dialogue
A: Hola. Me llamo Luis. ¿Cómo te llamas? B: Hola. Me llamo Maya.
ModelRead A, then have the class read B. Switch roles. Replace Luis and Maya with two student volunteers’ names while keeping the Spanish frames unchanged.
Turn and talkPartners practice the two-line exchange twice, switching A and B. Students may use the projected word bank and hand signals.
Check for understandingSay, “I am your partner. Hola. Me llamo Sofía. ¿Cómo te llamas?” Students respond together, “Hola. Me llamo [their name].” Then point silently to each phrase and have students show the matching hand signal. Reteach any phrase students confuse by returning to the dialogue, not by translating word by word.
ScaffoldKeep the dialogue projected. Give students who need it a spoken starter: “Hola. Me llamo…” followed by a pause for their name. Pair a confident reader with a student who benefits from hearing the model first.
Partner Name Mingle
Students receive the “Encuentra a alguien” checklist
- Greet a person: Hola.
- Introduce yourself: Me llamo .
- Ask: ¿Cómo te llamas?
- Write the person’s name.
Have students meet three different classmates. They must complete the spoken exchange before writing each name. Remind them that the goal is to learn real classmates’ names, so they should listen to the answer rather than copy a name without speaking.
CirculateCarry the three-phrase word bank on a clipboard or point students back to the projection. Listen for each student using all three functions: greeting, self-introduction, and question. Prompt with a gesture or the first words rather than supplying the entire sentence.
ExtensionHeritage speakers complete the three required exchanges, then serve as conversation partners who respond naturally and add “Mucho gusto” after learning a name. Challenge them to choose hola or buenos días appropriately and explain in English, after the mingle, when each greeting fits. They should not take over as translators; their role is to keep the exchange moving naturally.
Closing Check
Exit ticketStudents pair with a new partner for one final unprompted Spanish exchange. Each student must say hola, state their name with Me llamo, and ask ¿Cómo te llamas? As students finish, ask two volunteers to perform the exchange for the class. Note students who need the displayed frame next lesson and students ready to add a follow-up greeting response.