Special person interviews, also known as la persona especial or la estrella del día (star of the day), are a fantastic student-centered learning activity developed by Bryce Hedstrom. This technique uses structured conversations to put one student in the spotlight each day, allowing their classmates to ask questions about them. In the process, students naturally engage with high-frequency vocabulary and target structures in a relaxed, conversational context. Special person interviews help students practice speaking in the target language while creating a warm, supportive classroom environment where students learn more about each other and have become a popular activity in classrooms of World Languages. It is the perfect activity for middle school and high school students. I’ve used it in my college level courses to work on interpersonal skills in the target language.
Introducing Vocabulary Through Conversations
One of the challenges in teaching a language is presenting new vocabulary in a way that feels accessible rather than overwhelming. Traditional methods, like presenting a long list of words, can be daunting for students, especially if they are learning Spanish for the first time. Instead, introducing vocabulary little by little, as needed and in context, has proven much more effective. With special person interviews, vocabulary is introduced gradually as it naturally fits into conversations. This approach lets students hear, see, and use new words in context, which is a great way to support language acquisition and comprehension. Introducing the vocabulary little by little with interesting questions is a great way to reach struggling students that need more support.
Entrevistas: Adapting Special Person Interviews for Vocabulary Practice
In my class, I developed Entrevistas as a way to build on persona especial student interviews and give students more practice with essential vocabulary. This adapted activity introduces new words while engaging students in the target language. It has quickly become one of my favorite methods for vocabulary instruction, as it brings new words to life in a meaningful way. The Entrevistas presentation I use is filled with images and sentence starters that serve as visual supports to help students respond confidently without needing extensive explanations in English.
For instance, the first set of questions I use focuses on descripciones físicas. Since my students already know the Super 7 high-frequency verbs, they recognize most verb forms. One slide might ask a simple question like, “¿Eres alto o bajo?” (Are you tall or short?), with images representing each adjective. I also model gestures to convey the meanings of words like “tall” or “short,” allowing students to make connections with visual cues. Students are also getting the opportunity to reply in and her the first person in responses. This approach helps reinforce vocabulary while promoting comprehensible input.
Using Visuals to Support Understanding
Using visual aids is essential when introducing new vocabulary, especially for beginner Spanish classes. The images in the Entrevistas presentation provide consistent support, allowing students to grasp meaning without needing explicit definitions. It also helps students learn visually, which is particularly useful when I don’t have time to draw on the spot. Visuals keep students engaged, and I find it makes their responses more immediate and confident.
To deepen their vocabulary, I incorporate words like “muy,” “un poco,” and “mucho” (very, a little, a lot), encouraging students to personalize their responses and express themselves with more detail.
Options for Using Entrevistas in Class
1. Popcorn Questions – For a dynamic class experience, I use a popcorn style for questioning. I project questions on the board and call on different students, or use popsicle sticks with students’ names to randomize participation. This approach keeps everyone alert and gives all students a chance to speak. In larger classes, hearing classmates’ answers gives insight into their personalities, creating a classroom culture that’s collaborative and connected.
2. Conversation Cards in Stations – Conversation cards are another option that’s especially useful for stations or small groups. I print each Entrevistas question four or six to a page, laminate them, and bind them on rings (affiliate link). Students then work in groups, rotating every few minutes to ask each other questions. This setup is perfect for centers or for practicing conversational skills, and it’s always a favorite with my students.
3. Pairs Practice – Once I’ve modeled several questions, I give students a chance to practice in pairs. They turn to the person next to them and ask the question projected on the board. This setup allows for quick exchanges, with each student practicing the question and answer several times. I love watching students help each other with pronunciation and verb forms during this paired practice. It’s an opportunity for peer teaching, as students correct and encourage one another.
Encouraging Use of the Third Person
As students gain comfort with the questions, I gradually introduce third-person questions to help them describe someone else. For instance, I might ask, “¿Es alta o baja Lori?” (Is Lori tall or short?) or “¿Tiene Lori pelo corto?” (Does Lori have short hair?). This step reinforces third-person forms and gives students the chance to think about different perspectives, a valuable skill in language learning.
Invite a Special Guest for an Exciting Twist
To make special person interviews even more engaging, consider inviting a special guest to participate! Bringing in a guest—such as a fellow teacher, school administrator, or even a fluent Spanish speaker from the community—adds a new layer of excitement to the activity. Students often feel energized when they have the chance to interview someone new, especially if that person has unique experiences or background knowledge to share.
When planning for a guest, brief them on the interview questions and give them a sense of the vocabulary students are practicing. This way, the guest can keep responses at an appropriate level for your students, ensuring a comprehensible input experience. You could also prepare students by discussing possible follow-up questions they could ask, allowing them to use their target vocabulary in a real-world context.
Having a guest also allows students to practice third-person questions by reflecting on what they learned about the visitor afterward. For example, you could prompt them with, “¿Es alto o bajo nuestro invitado?” (Is our guest tall or short?) or “¿A qué se dedica la persona especial?” (What does the special person do?). This recap reinforces vocabulary and gives students an opportunity to summarize in the target language.
Inviting a guest can transform the interview from a regular classroom activity into an event, making it the highlight of the school year for students. If you’re looking for additional tips on how to organize special person interviews.
The Benefits of Special Person Interviews for Vocabulary Learning
Special person interviews offer a variety of benefits for language acquisition:
- They are interactive and student-centered, making language learning personal and relevant.
- Vocabulary is presented gradually in comprehensible input, supporting long-term retention.
- The activity builds confidence by keeping the target language accessible through visuals and repetition.
- Follow-up questions allow students to deepen conversations and reinforce vocabulary in context.
By using these adapted Entrevistas in my Spanish classes, I’ve found that students are more engaged and willing to speak. Introducing vocabulary within the context of a special person interview gives students a purpose for learning new words and helps make language learning a natural, enjoyable part of their school year.
If you’re interested in trying this activity but need a place to start, check out my Special Person Entrevistas presentations. These resources provide structured questions, visual aids, and other supports to help guide your students through their first time with special person interviews and make vocabulary learning more engaging and fun.
If you liked this post…
If you liked this blog post, you may be interested in these:
- 5 Tips for Using Special Person Interviews in Spanish Class
- What is a PQA? Personalized Questions and Answers
- Weekend Chat Activities for Spanish Class
