Jessica Darrow - Surface Pressure (From

Below we’ve highlighted some of the amazing music from Encanto. This music, while not overtly educational in nature, does serve a valuable purpose in many classrooms. English Language Learners (ELL) or English as a Second Language (ESL) students are an important part of our schools. Many ELLs have a Spanish background, though it is important to not make that assumption.

This music can be culturally significant as it bridges the Spanish and English languages. Because the movie takes place in Columbia, we see many references to that culture as well as many Spanish words and phrases being incorporated into the music of this movie. This movie and its music support diversity and inclusion in the classroom for students with a Latino background.

I’d like to point out that some of your students may not be ELL, but may still connect to this movie from a cultural perspective. I had a tutor-student, whose parents are close friends. They were both first-generation immigrants as young children. They could speak Spanish fluently, as they grew up with it as their first language, however, they spoke only English at home. My student was not an ELL, in fact, she knew very little Spanish. Her grandparents’ and parents’ culture, however, was still very much her culture. I can’t imagine how happy it would have made her have this music and movie around when she was younger and the joy it would have brought her to see her teacher and classmates enjoy it as well.

Lastly, I believe this music and the movie have their place in Spanish class. It is a great way to learn about this culture while learning the language. It can also help motivate students to want to take Spanish in the future. I know if I heard this music playing in the Spanish class next door, I’d be signing up as soon as possible. But, as I said, I’m a big fan of this movie. Lyrics are posted below the videos.