At Arco Iris Spanish Immersion School, we believe speaking two languages — and starting young — is one of the greatest gifts a child can carry into the world. That belief starts with our teachers.
So we asked our staff to share their favorite Spanish words, and now their favorites can be yours to learn! Print your very own Arco Iris flashcards to practice over the summer. And if you're looking for more ways to keep your student’s Spanish skills sharp, we've got you covered.
Progresso (Progress) – Isabel, 1st Grade Teacher
Why they ❤️ the word: "It represents growth, effort, and moving forward. In education, it reflects how every small step a student takes, even if it seems simple, is a sign of learning and development. It reminds us that success is built little by little."
Esperanza (Hope) – Britt, ELA K–1 Teacher
Why they ❤️ the word: "Hope is something that makes everything in life bearable."
Amor (Love) – Luis, School Counselor
Why they ❤️ the word: "Spanish is the language of Love 😉."
Vamos (Let’s go) – Eli, PE Teacher
Why they ❤️ the word: "In English, athletes say 'LET'S GO!' in celebration, and vamos gets said the same way — which I think is pretty neat because it's not the direct meaning of the word."
Vacaciones (Vacation) – Juan, 4th Grade Teacher
Why they ❤️ the word:"Porque su significado implica mucha felicidad." (Because its meaning implies a lot of happiness.)
Amigo (Friend) – Leticia, 5th Grade Teacher
Why they ❤️ the word: "Me gusta su significado." (I like its meaning.)
Mar (Sea) – Marta, 2nd Grade Teacher
Why they ❤️ the word:"I love how it sounds. It feels relaxing, and it connects me to the feeling I get when I'm close to the sea."
From amor to vamos, the Arco Iris spirit shows up in everything we do including the incredible teachers behind these words. Curious about what else makes our school one of Oregon's best? Check out the top 10 reasons families are glad they chose us.
About Arco Iris:
Arco Iris Spanish Immersion is a small tuition-free public charter school providing a rich, immersive Spanish language experience and robust academics in a true multicultural setting. Centrally located off 217, between SW Portland and Tigard, we serve K-5 students in the greater Beaverton area to become bilingual and biliterate leaders of the future. Get to know us on Instagram @arcoiris_spanishimmersion and on the web at www.arcoirisschool.org. We’re enrolling for Fall 2026-27.