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Spanish Course Overview

Sep 6, 2025

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Overview

This comprehensive Spanish course takes you from beginner to advanced, covering key grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, conversation, writing, and cultural skills, with interactive exercises and level tests.

Course Introduction & Structure

  • The course is divided into beginner (A1.1-A1.4), pre-intermediate, intermediate, upper intermediate, and advanced levels.
  • The curriculum uses a coursebook, interactive dialogues, and level tests to track progress.
  • Lessons include vocabulary, listening, speaking, grammar, and cultural activities.

Essential Introductions & Greetings

  • Basic self-introduction: "Hola, me llamo [Name], soy de [Country], me gusta [Something]."
  • Common greetings: hola (hello), buenos días (good morning), buenas tardes (good afternoon), buenas noches (good evening/night).
  • Basic farewells: adiós (goodbye), hasta luego (see you later), hasta mañana (see you tomorrow).

Personal Pronouns

  • Singular: yo (I), tú (you informal), él (he), ella (she), usted (you formal).
  • Plural: nosotros/nosotras (we), vosotros/vosotras (you-all informal, Spain), ellos/ellas (they), ustedes (you-all formal, Latin America).

Alphabet & Spelling Practice

  • Spanish alphabet: a, b, c, d, e, f, etc.
  • Pronunciation varies by region (e.g., "c" and "z" pronounced "th" in Spain).
  • Practice spelling names and words aloud.

Vocabulary: Countries, Nationalities, Classroom Objects

  • Countries and nationalities change endings for gender and number (example: colombiano, colombiana, colombianos, colombianas).
  • Use "ser" to state origin and nationality: "Soy de México. Soy mexicano/mexicana."
  • Common classroom objects: libro (book), lápiz (pencil), mochila (backpack), mesa (table), carpeta (folder).

Gender, Articles, and Plurals

  • Masculine nouns typically end in -o; feminine in -a; endings like -dad/-ción are generally feminine.
  • Definite articles: el (masculine singular), la (feminine singular), los (masculine plural), las (feminine plural).
  • Plurals: add -s to nouns ending in a vowel, -es to nouns ending in a consonant.

Colors & Agreement

  • Colors must agree in gender and number: rojo/roja/rojos/rojas.
  • Common colors: rojo (red), azul (blue), negro (black), blanco (white), verde (green), amarillo (yellow).

Professions & Descriptions

  • Professions follow gender and number rules: profesor/profesora, médico/médica.
  • Use "ser" for profession: "Soy estudiante."

Key Verbs & Tenses

  • Verb "ser" (to be): Soy, eres, es, somos, sois, son.
  • Verb "estar" (to be, location/state): Estoy, estás, está, estamos, estáis, están.
  • Conjugations:
    • Regular -ar verbs (hablar): hablo, hablas, habla, hablamos, habláis, hablan.
    • Regular -er verbs (comer): como, comes, come, comemos, coméis, comen.
    • Regular -ir verbs (vivir): vivo, vives, vive, vivimos, vivís, viven.
  • Present perfect: he hablado, has comido, ha vivido.
  • Preterite (simple past, regular): hablé, comí, viví.

Gustar & Encantar (Expressing Likes)

  • Use indirect pronouns: me gusta, te gusta, le gusta, nos gusta, os gusta, les gusta.
  • For plural: add -n (me gustan los libros).

Pronunciation Tips

  • G/J before e/i = "h" sound (gente, jardín).
  • R/rr: single r = soft, rr or r at word start = rolled.
  • V and B pronounced the same.
  • Link consonants and vowels when speaking for native flow.

Por vs. Para

  • Por: cause, reason, duration, means, exchange, movement through.
  • Para: purpose, destination, deadline, recipient, opinion.

Listening, Conversation, and Cultural Insight

  • Practice dialogues and conversational Q&A.
  • Learn about Spanish-speaking countries, holidays, and everyday culture.

Level & Progress Tests

  • Regular level tests after each main section: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1.

Key Terms & Definitions

  • Ser — verb "to be" for identity, origin, profession, description.
  • Estar — verb "to be" for location, feelings, temporary conditions.
  • Género — grammatical gender: masculine/feminine.
  • Artículo — article (el, la, los, las).
  • Pronombre personal — personal pronoun (yo, tú, él...).
  • Nacionalidad — nationality.
  • Por/Para — prepositions both meaning "for," used in different contexts.

Action Items / Next Steps

  • Download and use the coursebook for exercises and note-taking.
  • Practice introducing yourself and spelling your name in Spanish.
  • Memorize personal pronouns, articles, and key verb conjugations.
  • Complete vocabulary and grammar exercises for each unit.
  • Take the corresponding level test to assess your progress.

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