How to Teach Spanish Without a Textbook: A Guide for Teachers Navigating Curriculum Design

When I began my teaching career back in 2011, I followed what many of us are taught to rely on: the textbook. During student teaching and throughout my first six years at a charter school in Southern California, I used pre-packaged curriculum that came with vocabulary lists, grammar explanations, activities, audio and video input, and assessments. It was structured and familiar.

Then everything changed.

In the fall of 2017, I accepted a new position at a high school closer to home. I walked in feeling confident with six years of experience—only to discover that the World Language department didn’t use a textbook… and had no intention of adopting one. I was overwhelmed. That school year was the hardest of my entire career. Honestly, I questioned whether I was even cut out for teaching anymore. I considered leaving the profession altogether.

Without a textbook, I had to build an entire curriculum from the ground up. That meant everything—identifying standards, selecting themes, creating vocabulary lists, searching for authentic texts and media, developing assessments, and crafting learning activities—all while still grading, planning, attending meetings, and showing up for my students.

But here’s the truth: it made me a better teacher. Being forced to rethink how I delivered instruction pushed me to become more intentional, more creative, and more effective.

So what do you do when there’s no textbook to lean on?

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

1. Understand Your Standards

• Begin by reviewing your state's World Language Standards (like the California WL Standards)

• Familiarize yourself with the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines and what they mean for your learners.

• Clarify which standards your district expects you to cover (sometimes it’s all of them, sometimes it’s a selection).

  
  

2. Create a Year-at-a-Glance

• Identify the number of standards you’ll cover and divide your year into units of study.

• For example, I teach 6 units per year, each lasting about 6 weeks, not including breaks.

• Assign 1–2 standards per unit based on complexity and your students' needs.

  
  

3. Select Your Themes and Subthemes

• Use AP or IB themes (like Global Challenges, Personal Identity, or Contemporary Life) to anchor your unit planning.

• Align each theme with the standards you’re covering in that unit.

  
  

4. Plan Your Unit Breakdown

For each unit, outline the following:

• Essential questions to guide inquiry

• Key vocabulary students will need

• Authentic texts, videos, or audio to provide context and exposure

• Learning activities that integrate speaking, reading, writing, and listening

• Learning targets for both teacher and student clarity

• Success criteria so students know what proficiency looks like

  
  

5. Design Assessments That Match Your Standards

• Make sure your assessments are performance-based and reflect the skills emphasized in your standards.

• Include interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational tasks where appropriate.

  
  

Need Support? You’re Not Alone

If all of this sounds like a lot—it is! Curriculum design takes time, which we teachers are constantly short on. That’s exactly why I created MySpanishResources.com. My mission is simple: “Less time planning. More time teaching.”

When we’re bogged down by planning, we lose energy for what really matters: delivering engaging lessons, building classroom culture, and inspiring students. That’s why I offer classroom-ready Spanish resources to help save you time and reduce your stress.

I hope the checklist above helps guide you as you navigate life without a textbook. Be sure to explore the resources on my site—some of them are free! And if you ever feel stuck, I’d love to support you in building a curriculum that works for you and your students.

Let’s connect!

Have questions or want to share your experience teaching without a textbook? Leave a comment or reach out to me here. You're not alone in this journey.