6 Best Spanish Speaking Practice Prompts For Competitions That Impress Judges

Your child has been working so hard in their Spanish class, and now they’ve decided to enter a speaking competition. It’s a fantastic step, but then comes the big question that can stump even the most enthusiastic student: "What should I talk about?" As a parent, watching them struggle to find a topic can be just as nerve-wracking as the event itself. This guide is designed to give you, and your child, a clear roadmap with powerful prompts that go beyond the basics and truly impress the judges.

Understanding the Spanish Competition Rubric

You’ve seen the sign-up sheet and maybe even glanced at the rules. Words like "fluency," "grammatical complexity," and "pronunciation" are everywhere, but what do they actually mean in practice? Think of the rubric not as a test, but as a recipe the judges are using. To get the best score, you need to include the right ingredients.

Before your child even picks a prompt, take a few minutes to review the scoring guide with them. Usually, it breaks down into a few key areas: accuracy (correct verb tenses and grammar), vocabulary (using a wide range of interesting words), delivery (speaking clearly and with confidence), and task completion (actually answering the prompt). Understanding these categories helps focus your practice time where it will have the most impact. It shifts the goal from just "saying something in Spanish" to "showing the judges I can use Spanish in these specific ways."

Personal Narratives That Connect With Judges

Judges listen to dozens of speeches, many of them on the same general topics. The fastest way for your child to stand out is to tell a story that only they can tell. A personal narrative is powerful because it’s authentic, and that authenticity shines through, even in a second language. It allows them to speak from the heart, which naturally improves flow and emotional connection.

Encourage your child to brainstorm with this prompt: "Describe a time a family tradition taught you an important lesson." (Un recuerdo de una tradición familiar que me enseñó una lección importante.) This prompt is a goldmine. It taps into vocabulary they already know (family, food, holidays) while pushing them to use past tenses (like the preterite and imperfect) to tell a story. It also requires them to reflect and express a deeper meaning, showing a level of maturity that judges love to see.

Building a Persuasive Argument in Spanish

For older or more advanced students, competitions often move beyond storytelling into argumentation. This is where they can really show off their command of the language. It’s one thing to describe what happened; it’s another to build a logical case and defend a point of view. This demonstrates critical thinking skills alongside linguistic ability.

Here are two excellent prompts for practicing persuasion. The first is classic: "Should school uniforms be mandatory? Defend your position." (¿Deberían ser obligatorios los uniformes escolares? Defiende tu posición.) The second is more global: "What is the most significant environmental challenge facing your generation, and what is one solution?" (¿Cuál es el desafío medioambiental más importante para tu generación y cuál es una posible solución?)

Both prompts require students to structure their thoughts with transition words (primero, además, sin embargo, por lo tanto). They also create natural opportunities to use more complex grammatical structures like the subjunctive mood to express opinions ("Es importante que nosotros…") or the conditional tense to propose solutions ("Podríamos…"). Mastering this is a clear sign of an advanced speaker.

Using Creative Prompts to Show Language Mastery

Once a student is comfortable with narratives and arguments, it’s time to show some flair. Creative prompts are fantastic because there’s no "right" answer. They force the speaker to think on their feet and use the language as a tool for imagination. This is what separates the good from the truly great competitors.

Try these two imaginative prompts. First: "If you could add a new color to the rainbow, what would it be, what would you call it, and what would it represent?" (Si pudieras añadir un nuevo color al arcoíris, ¿cuál sería, cómo se llamaría y qué representaría?) This one is brilliant for showcasing descriptive vocabulary and the conditional tense.

Second, for a real challenge: "Imagine you are an object in this room. Describe a day in your life." (Imagina que eres un objeto en esta sala. Describe un día en tu vida.) This prompt forces a unique perspective and the use of sensory language. It proves that the student’s Spanish is so strong they can embody a different point of view entirely. It’s memorable, unique, and a true test of fluency.

Moving Beyond Memorization to True Fluency

Many parents see their kids write a perfect speech, memorize it, and then panic on stage when they forget a single word. The goal isn’t a flawless recitation; it’s a confident delivery. The key is to move from a rigid script to a flexible set of talking points. This is the difference between being a robot and being a speaker.

Instead of writing and memorizing a full speech, have your child outline it with bullet points. For each point, they should practice talking about it for 30-60 seconds, using slightly different words each time. This builds the mental flexibility to recover if they get lost. It also makes their speech sound more natural and conversational.

To build this skill, use a final "grab bag" prompt: Practice speaking for 90 seconds on a simple, impromptu topic. Pull ideas from a hat: "Your favorite meal," "A movie you recently saw," or "Your dream vacation." The goal isn’t a perfect speech; it’s the practice of thinking and speaking spontaneously.

Structuring Your Speech for Maximum Impact

A great idea can get lost in a disorganized presentation. Even the most fluent speaker needs a clear structure to guide the judges (and themselves) through their thoughts. It provides a roadmap that makes the speech easy to follow and much more powerful. Luckily, the best structure is a simple one.

Encourage your child to use the classic three-part model for any prompt:

• The Hook (El Gancho): Start with a strong, interesting first sentence that grabs the audience’s attention.
• The Body (El Cuerpo): Present two or three main ideas. Each idea should be a separate point, perhaps with a quick example or supporting detail.
• The Conclusion (La Conclusión): End with a sentence that summarizes the main point and gives a sense of finality.

This framework is a lifesaver under pressure. When your child feels nervous, they won’t have to wonder what comes next. They can just move to the next part of their structure. It provides confidence and clarity, which are essential for a winning performance.

Mastering Poise, Pace, and Body Language

On competition day, how your child presents themselves is almost as important as what they say. Judges aren’t just listening with their ears; they’re watching with their eyes. Confident body language, a clear voice, and a steady pace signal comfort and command of the material. This non-verbal communication can be the tie-breaker in a close competition.

Practice these elements at home. Have your child stand up straight and practice making eye contact with you while they speak. Record them on your phone so they can hear their own pacing. Are they rushing? Mumbling? Speaking too softly? Often, kids don’t realize how they sound until they hear a recording.

Also, encourage natural hand gestures. Tell them to avoid fidgeting with their hair, clothes, or hands. The best way to practice this is to do a few "dress rehearsals" in front of family. Simulating the audience experience, even with just one or two people, makes a world of difference in building stage presence.

Final Preparation for Competition Day Success

The week before the event is about polishing, not cramming. Last-minute panic rarely leads to a good outcome. The goal is for your child to walk into that room feeling prepared, rested, and confident. Their mindset is just as important as their practice.

In the final days, shift from learning new things to reviewing what they already know. Run through their structured speeches a few times. Time them to make sure they fit the requirements. The night before, put all the notes away. Focus on a good meal and a full night’s sleep.

On the morning of the competition, the most important thing you can do is remind them why they started this in the first place: because they enjoy Spanish and wanted to challenge themselves. The goal is to do their personal best and be proud of their effort. Winning is a bonus, but the confidence they’ve built is the real prize.

Ultimately, a Spanish speaking competition is a fantastic learning experience, regardless of the outcome. It’s a chance for your child to see how far they’ve come and to build public speaking skills that will serve them for a lifetime. Your role is to be their biggest fan, celebrating their courage and hard work every step of the way.