Didactic proposals for teaching Spanish youth language in the ELE classroom

Youth language is a special variety that stands out for its creativity, humor, and hyperbole. Although it originated among young people, many of its expressions have transcended, becoming part of everyday language and playing a key role in informal conversations. However, this linguistic variety is often overlooked in Spanish as a Foreign Language (ELE) classes, for textbooks primarily focus on teaching more formal language. This frequently leads to students struggling to understand and communicate with younger native speakers in informal contexts. Therefore, this article aims to provide practical advice and teaching suggestions to improve instruction in this area. It will cover what defines youth language, why it is important to teach it in ELE classrooms, when it is appropriate to teach it, and how and what to teach. The goal is not only to introduce students to Spanish youth slang but also to improve their pragmatic competence and demonstrate how new words are created in Spanish.