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CERVANTES FOR SCHOOLS
Our Cervantes for Schools programme offers workshops and activities led by native-speaking professionals, tailored to the needs of each school. We support your students throughout their school years, motivating them to learn Spanish in a playful, immersive way, building their confidence and helping them discover how valuable it is to learn a new language. From theatre to football, music, research workshops in the library or film screenings: discover everything Cervantes for Schools can offer you.
«Thank you very much for welcoming us for the second year in a row to Instituto Cervantes! All the workshops were extremely successful and our students really enjoyed this experience. The students came back from this trip full of joy. The teachers who led the activities were incredible and did a wonderful job strengthening our students’ positive relationship with Spanish. The songs from the Karaoke Workshop were greatly appreciated, and the students who took part in the Festivals workshop or the guided tour had a great time.»
Workshops for A Level
In the age of ChatGPT, AI and Google Search, A Level students will learn to carry out research in the library on a specific topic, such as literature, history or society.
Not only will they improve their Spanish, they will also start preparing for their university studies. Participants will learn to identify search concepts and alternative search terms, find out where to look for information, select the best resources and develop their overall search strategy to get effective results in their written exam or oral presentation.
- Activity in Spanish with support from library staff.
- Places: max. 15 students
- Duration: 1.5 hours
- Price: £250
- Available throughout the school year (subject to availability)
*The price includes one year of institutional library membership.
«The girls really enjoyed it and feel like they have made good progress with their research already. Lucía was amazing and gave them such interesting suggestions. I also love the way she spoke to them entirely in Spanish but really skilfully chose her language so that it was accessible to them all!»
Our literature, film and theatre workshops, led by native actor-facilitators, apply an innovative theatre-based methodology so that students don’t just learn Spanish: they live it. Through acting, improvisation, group dynamics and creative exercises, the plays, films and texts studied in class become experiences that are felt and enjoyed, while students gain confidence, practise speaking and deepen their knowledge of Hispanic culture.
Places: max 16 students
Duration: 1.5 hours
Price: £360
Includes a study pack with key information and reinforcement exercises
Available throughout the school year (subject to availability)
*We can travel to your school (plus transport costs).
«El taller estuvo genial, y estoy convencido de que les servirá de mucho cuando tengan que enfrentarse al writing sobre Volver. Se lo pasaron muy bien, y fue algo diferente que creo que les viene genial para acercarse, no solo a Volver, sino al cine de Almodóvar y a contextualizar esta obra. Además, Andrea le pone una pasión que hace que los chicos se contagien desde el primer momento.»
«It was great fun and very interactive. I loved the part where we acted.»
Available workshops:
1. “Secrets, Ghosts and Resilience” – Volver by Pedro Almodóvar
This immersive workshop introduces students to Almodóvar’s universe: family, loss and the strength of women. Through the re-creation of key scenes, theatre exercises and creative group work, students explore the characters’ emotions and the film’s symbolism. They also create their own interpretations through improvisation, theatrical movement and dialogue, bringing Volver to life in a different and memorable way.
2. “Walls and Whispers” – La casa de Bernarda Alba by Federico García Lorca
Step into the passionate world of Federico García Lorca with this dynamic theatre workshop. Led by professional native-speaking actors, students live the language as they explore the tension, poetry and emotion of La casa de Bernarda Alba. Through movement, voice and group stage work, they develop physical expressiveness, diction and the poetic language of Lorca’s characters and symbols. The workshop offers a creative and motivating way to go deeper into this famous play.
3. “Dark Tales and Historical Memory” – El laberinto del fauno by Guillermo del ToroImmerse yourself in Guillermo del Toro’s unsettling mix of fantasy and historical reality. Students explore the complex themes of innocence, violence and resistance in post-war Spain. Through analysis of texts and scenes in Spanish, theatre dynamics and creative exercises, they approach the symbolism, narrative structure and moral dilemmas the film raises. The workshop encourages spontaneous expression in Spanish while students reflect on the historical and cultural context that shapes the story.
4. “Recipes for Rebellion” - Como Agua para Chocolate by Laura Esquivel
This workshop brings Like Water for Chocolate to life through performance, setting the work in the context of the Mexican Revolution and exploring its themes of tradition, family and female identity. Through the re-creation of key scenes, improvisation and creative group work, students explore character development, narrative voice and Esquivel’s use of magical realism, as well as the relationship between food, emotions and power, and how these elements challenge social conventions to express repression, desire and independence. Through theatre exercises and stage work, students build their confidence and their ability to interpret the text and express their ideas more freely in Spanish.
5. “Crossing Borders” – Racism, immigration and coexistence
In this workshop, students engage actively with the themes of racism, immigration and coexistence using Augusto Boal’s Theatre of the Oppressed techniques. They take on different roles, explore real social situations and practise Spanish through dramatic play and debate. This hands-on approach allows a deep understanding of complex social issues while strengthening oral expression and exam confidence.
6. “Breaking the Glass Ceiling” – Gender equality
This workshop addresses the ongoing struggle for gender equality in Spanish-speaking societies and the rest of the world. Students examine key issues such as sexism, gender roles and feminist movements through text analysis, debate and stage work. Through theatre exercises, they adopt different perspectives, question stereotypes and expand their vocabulary around equality and social justice. The workshop encourages critical reflection and reinforces the language skills needed for advanced-level exams.
7. “In the Spotlight” – The influence of idols
This dynamic workshop explores the powerful influence of idols and celebrities in Spanish-speaking cultures through interactive theatre games and collective creation. Students work on themes such as fame, role models and social impact by creating original scenes, improvising interviews and carrying out stage activities. We analyse well-known figures such as Shakira, Penélope Cruz, Lionel Messi or Frida Kahlo to understand their impact on society and the media. A playful, creative environment that encourages students to practise Spanish naturally while reflecting critically on the role of idols today.
Prefer a more traditional approach?
Workshops 1–4 are also available in seminar format, combining close reading, discussion and exam-style questions. Just let us know and we’ll tailor the session to your needs.
Activities for GCSE
With this option, KS3 and KS4 students develop their Spanish in an enjoyable environment. The programme includes an activity in Spanish led by a qualified native teacher, based on a topic chosen by the school’s teacher, followed by a screening of one of the films in our catalogue.
Places: max 20 students
Duration: 3.5 hours with a lunch break
Price: £360
Available throughout the school year (subject to availability)
*We can travel to your school (plus transport costs)
«As part of Wednesday’s Field Day, our students visited Instituto Cervantes London, where they took part in an interactive cultural lesson on environmental topics, one of the themes they will study for their Spanish IGCSE. Mrs Miguez, head of Spanish at Wetherby Senior, explained: “The class at Instituto Cervantes was taught by two very experienced Spanish teachers, who made sure our students worked on all the different skills…»
List of available films:
- Abre los ojos, Psychological Thriller, A Level
- ¡Ay, Carmela!, Spanish Civil War, Comedy, GCSE, A Level
- Campeones, Comedy, GCSE, A Level
- Diamantes negros, Human Rights, Immigration, Drama, GCSE, A Level
- El bola, Drama, GCSE
- El viaje de Carol, Spanish Civil War, Drama, GCSE, A Level
- La máquina de pintar nubes, Franco dictatorship, Drama, A Level
- La Maleta Mexicana, Spanish Civil War, Documentary, A Level
- Los futbolísimos, Comedy and Adventure, GCSE
- Manolito Gafotas, Comedy, GCSE
- Siete leguas, Documentary, GCSE
- Soldados de Salamina, Spanish Civil War, A Level
Other workshops for children and teenagers
Our workshops for KS3, KS4 and KS5 students help them develop their language skills and their knowledge of Hispanic culture through varied, fun activities. Students will expand their vocabulary through theatre dynamics, singing, cooking and practical exercises, boosting their creativity and their spoken and written expression.
Please tell us the age and Spanish comprehension level of the students so that we can adapt the content of the workshop accordingly.
Football is much more than a game: it’s a window into Spanish and Latin American culture! In this interactive 90-minute workshop, students explore the passion, language and stories behind men’s and women’s football in Spain and Latin America.
Through songs, videos and short activities, they discover how football connects with everyday life, identity and cultural expression, all while practising their Spanish in a fun, dynamic way.
Perfect for Spanish students who like sport and culture, or who simply want to talk about something that unites people all over the world: football.
Places: max 16 students
Duration: 1.5 hours
Price: £360
*We can travel to your school (plus transport costs)
«The Spanish football workshop was all about Spanish sports and how football is important in Spanish culture. We played lots of fun games, including true or false and matching English words with their Spanish translations. We also learned lots of new words related to football and sport. My favourite part of the workshop was when we watched a video of Jude Bellingham trying to speak Spanish – he said lots of random things in Spanish and it was really funny! I would definitely recommend the workshop to other people because it is really interesting and fun.»
A vibrant, energetic workshop where students live Spanish through the magic of theatre. Divided into small theatre companies with their own names, students take part in a friendly competition through games, theatre dynamics and improvisation, focusing on communication, not perfection.
They explore the essential tools of acting (body, voice and imagination) while practising action verbs, emotions and key theatre phrases in a fun, friendly atmosphere.
Working collaboratively, each group creates and performs a short scene inspired by Hispanic culture and literature, ending with a lively final showcase. By the end, students feel they can speak more fluently and expressively than they thought, gaining confidence and discovering how much fun Spanish can be through performance.
Places: max 16 students
Duration: 1.5 hours
Price: £360
*We can travel to your school (plus transport costs)
«It was a super fun and inclusive way to practice and learn Spanish vocabulary, through many different activities like games and acting out stories. My favourite part was performing a short play because it gave me more confidence for speaking in Spanish. I had a great time learning alongside my friends and would definitely do it again if I had the chance.»
«The workshop was very interactive, which I really enjoyed. I liked that Andrea spoke in Spanish throughout, and we were still able to understand her. My favourite part was the final performance, as well as the competition table.»
Welcome to the Eurovision of Spanish! Inspired by the famous festival, students represent different countries as they sing karaoke, learn Spanish and discover a typical Spanish or Latin American dance.
Through the rhythm and lyrics of songs from all over the Spanish-speaking world, they travel through its culture and history in a lively, participatory way, with singing and rhythm activities that guarantee fun from start to finish.
Places: max 16 students
Duration: 1.5 hours
Price: £360
*We can travel to your school (plus transport costs)
Let’s make some noise… in Spanish! This 90-minute workshop introduces younger students to the rich, colourful world of Spanish and Latin American music.
Through songs, rhythm games, dance and simple crafts, students explore musical styles such as flamenco, salsa, tango, mariachi, reggaeton and cumbia. They learn basic Spanish vocabulary while discovering how music reflects the diversity of cultures and traditions in the Spanish-speaking world.
From clapping out flamenco rhythms to making their own maracas, every activity combines language, creativity and fun. An ideal first step towards Spanish through sound, movement and imagination!
Places: max 16 students
Duration: 1.5 hours
Price: £360
*We can travel to your school (plus transport costs)
An interactive cultural journey through the Spanish-speaking world. Students travel across the vibrant geography of Spain and Latin America, discovering how landscapes, regions and communities shape everyday life. In a lively warm-up, they listen to music from across the Hispanic world, identifying rhythms, moods and where they come from, to spark curiosity and set the tone for the session.
Next, they explore iconic festivals and celebrations, discovering what makes each one unique and how different cultures express joy, tradition and identity. Finally, they bring everything they have learned to life through improvisation and role play, stepping into the shoes of festival-goers, travellers or local characters to experience the culture in a fun, memorable way.
By the end, students will better understand the geography and cultural celebrations of the Spanish-speaking world, more easily recognise regional music, gain confidence using Spanish in context and strengthen their teamwork.
Places: max 16 students
Duration: 1.5 hours
Price: £360
*We can travel to your school (plus transport costs
Ready to write like a native?
In this workshop, students discover new language tools while writing creatively about topics that interest them, from text messages and emails to blogs and much more.
They will also dive into the latest trends shaping how Spanish speakers communicate today, both in real life and online.
Places: max 16 students
Duration: 1.5 hours
Price: £360
*We can travel to your school (plus transport costs)
Guided tours
A 2-hour walking tour from Instituto Cervantes London to Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery, with a Blue Badge tour guide (in English or Spanish).
Along the way you will discover the Spanish and Latin American footprint hidden in the heart of London: from the church of St Clement Danes, which paid tribute to the Argentine volunteers of the RAF, to the London School of Economics, chosen by thousands of Latin American students, including several heads of state, and the Castilian princess Eleanor of Castile, who gives Charing Cross its name.
The visit culminates at the National Gallery, in front of some of the masterpieces of Spanish painting: Velázquez, Goya, El Greco, Murillo and Zurbarán, among others, in one of the best collections of Spanish art outside Spain.
Places: max 20 students
Duration: 2 hours
Price: £390
Day of the week according to the guide’s availability
*Booking is required at least four weeks before the activity