Ojalá que llueva café is a classic—an oldie, but a goodie. There are many ways this song is helpful for Spanish teachers. Here is a complete lesson, an example of how to teach and use music in Spanish class.

My Spanish students have always enjoyed this song because it’s got it all:

• The artist: It is sung by Juan Luís Guerra, a native Dominican singer and songwriter that is accomplished in music, film, and politics—a true polymath.

• The content: It’s authentic—the content and the artist are from the Spanish-speaking world.

• The tune: It’s got a snappy, singable, simple and enduring tune—one that has stood the test of time. Your students will be able to sing along and even beginning guitarists will be able to play it. I put easy-to-play chords with it in a key that everyone will be able to sing. Recruit some students to practice it on the guitar and add some simple percussion instruments to accompany the class.

• The lyrics: The lyrics are compelling, meaningful and sincere—they will touch all but the hardest hearts.

• The vocabulary: The vocabulary seems almost sheltered—many high-frequency words that even Novice High and Intermediate Low Spanish students will understand.

• The grammar: There are steady comprehensible uses of the subjunctive mood—with enough repetitions for students to pick them up.

• The geography: The geographical references to actual places in the Dominican Republic can be tied to any curriculum so that students will have and idea where places are.

• The food: The song mentions common foods that most Spanish students will recognize, plus foods and crops that are unique to the Caribbean to widen their repertoire.

• The theme: The almost prayer-like quality of the song—longing for change and help in hard times. This is something all can relate to.

All that, plus my easy-to-follow activities and questions that will get students singing, talking, thinking and acquiring the language!

This is a gem for acquisition.

Use it as a brain break, or as a series of brain breaks over the next few days.

Share how this works for you and your tips for using it. We all get better when we work together.