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Semana 8
Amigos,
The video and handouts from our final class have been posted.
It has been such a pleasure and honor to work with you these past several weeks! I hope you enjoyed the class and learned some basic concepts. Most importantly, I hope you were inspired to continue your Spanish-learning journey, which truly is life-long. Remember Rule 1: Do something every day. Be consistent with your learning. ....and... Rule 2: Don't be afraid to just open your mouth and speak!
Don't be a stranger and feel free to reach out to me in the future!
¡Les deseo lo mejor!
-Michelle
Semana 7
¡Hola estudiantes! We had another maravillosa sesión on Wednesday and I have posted the video. How does it feel to be speaking in the future tense??? Did you surprise yourself with how well you did on our listening activity?
Next Wednesday will be our last session 😭. We'll take a look at a few irregular or stem-changing verbs before we get started on our conversation activity! We'll be pairing up to "chat" with each other in Spanish (don't worry; I have some scripts.) You're free to be as simple or complex as you like in your conversation, and we'll be asking volunteers to step up and "perform" to the class (only if you want!) But remember, the most important is to overcome your fear or miedo of trying to speak. No tengan vergüenza... just open your mouth and say something!
Next Wednesday is also FIESTA time 💃🏽🎈🍹🌮🥳!!! Feel free to bring snacks or beverages to share with your compañeros de clase. Vamos a escuchar música, comer, y award diplomas!
I have really enjoyed our time together and invite you to give my business a good review if you have enjoyed the class. You can do so on our Google listing here. Doing so helps ensure I can continue to offer these services in our great city of Wichita! ¡Muchas gracias!
-Michelle
Semana 6
¡Buen día amigos! Wow, your Spanish is really coming along! I know we are going muy rápido but I want to get you to a point where you can express more concepts that "The dog is black" and "You are happy." Now that we are learning to conjugate more verbs than ser and estar, as long as we keep learning new vocabulary, our ability to communicate really takes off! Practice, practice, practice and you will see your fluency improve!
The video and handouts from our class are now posted on the "materials" page. If you want to listen to our song and learn to sing along (extra credit), the video we watched can be found here. In addition to Fonseca, some of my favorite Latin artists or groups are Carlos Vives, Juan Luis Guerra, Gloria Estéfan, Maná, and Morat. Find a couple songs on Spotify or Pandora you like and the app will give you new suggestions!
There was a question about why we say "Escucho música" and not "Escucho la música." It really depends on context. Without the article "la", we are referring to listening to music in general, not a specific type. With the article, it is more literally "I listen to the music." Here is a thread that might clear things up a bit.
Next week we will continue with expressions using the verb tener and look at more examples with regular and irregular verbs. We'll learn a common verb ir "to go", and use it to express future tense. We are working primarily with Chapters 5 and 6 (and a bit of 7) in our textbooks, so be sure to read through, learn the vocabulary and work the exercises on your own. And remember to listen to audio examples, music, videos, and podcasts! Check out this podcast episode which does a great job explaining different uses of the verb tener.
¡Tengan una buena semana! (Have a good week!)
-Michelle
Semana 5
Hola queridos... I had so much fun in class anoche! Last night we reviewed dates and numbers (playing Bingo!), learned how to talk about time, how express "there is, there are" with "hay", and started to conjugate regular verbs. We'll continue with our verb conjugation next week. I have posted the Powerpoint handouts and class videos to the "materials" page. We had a technical mishap, so the class video is in two parts. Be sure to watch both!
There was a good question about online flashcards for learning new vocabulary. There are SO, SO many websites (such as Quizlet) where you can make or maybe find pre-made flashcards, but I want to remind you of the website and app that comes with your textbook. This site/app has the vocabulary found in the textbook organized neatly by chapter. Visit https://www.mhlanguagelab.com/ to use or download and let me know if you have any questions!
Next week we will finish learning about regular verb conjugation in the present tense (Chapter 5), then do a good deal of review and work on more conversation to put it all together. For our last three classes, we'll be learning fewer new grammar concepts and focusing on putting together what we have learned. My goal is for you to finish this course with a good understanding of the basic grammar, ability to hold simple conversation, and the desire to learn more!!!
Finally, remember this class is all about YOU. If you have suggestions or ideas to make it better or special topics you would like to cover, please let me know.
Wishing you a Happy Easter (Felices Pascuas) y nos vemos la próxima semana!
Semana 4
Amigos, qué gusto to see you again yesterday! We were missing quite a few of our estudiantes, so please encourage your fellow compañeros to join us next week. I have a fun game planned! I have posted the class video, Powerpoint slides, and numbers and time handouts from last night on the "materials" page.
Last night we had some conversation about what we did over Spring Break and reviewed ser and estar. Then we learned our numbers all the way up to 999,999,999 and incorporated them into useful Q&A. Finally, we learned the seasons, months, and how to talk about dates and days of the week. We did not get to our planned topics of the word hay and telling time, so be sure to bring your handouts next week and we will continue where we left off. All these topics are in Chapters 3 and 4 of your text.
For homework, be sure to read and go through the exercises in Chapters 3 and 4 of your textbook, listen to the audios, and read out loud! Watch some related videos on YouTube, and keep listening to my recommended podcasts! Don't be afraid to practice your Spanish with native speakers you know. A big part of learning is getting past the fear of making mistakes.
There were some questions as to whether we can use "estar" with "peligroso". When I researched this question, I really couldn't find any instances of "está peligroso". Because dangerous is typically a description or inherent characteristic of a country, situation, etc. "es peligroso" is recommended. However, I could imagine a theoretical situation where, for example, "El Capitolio de los Estados Unidos no es peligroso" (The U.S. Capitol building isn't dangerous), but maybe on January 6 a few days back one might hear "Hoy el Capitolio está peligroso." (Today the Capitol is dangerous.) But as a general default, use "ser".
The website I mentioned where you can be matched with native speakers to practice your conversation is https://www.conversationexchange.com/.
Sumérganse (immerse yourselves) in Spanish each and every day! Keep studying, and enjoy the journey! Hasta pronto!
Semana 3
Estimados colegas... A REMINDER that there will be NO CLASS next Wednesday March 13 due to Spring Break. We will resume our session the following week on Wednesday March 20. You have a break from "class", but not from Spanish! Continue to study Chapter 2 of your book and look ahead to Chapters 3&4. In our next class we will work on numbers, time, dates, and the very useful word hay. You may want to supplement your practice on the verbs Ser and Estar with the following:
Ser/Estar quiz (This website is very good and has several "quizzes" and explanations over various topics.)
The video and handouts from last night have been posted near the bottom of our "materials" page. Not great audio again, but it will be better next time!
Enjoy your break and feel free to email me with any questions.
Sigan practicando, y ¡nos vemos el 20 de marzo!
-Michelle
Semana (Week) 2
¡Hola amigos! Last night was muy divertido (lots of fun), but I'm sorry we missed those who couldn't join us. Get well soon! (Mejórense pronto!)
The video from class is now posted under the "materials" page. I apologize for the audio, which turned out a little quiet. I have also posted the slides and handouts (Conversation Q&A).
Yesterday we got an introduction to Spanish nouns, articles, and adjectives. This information is also found in more depth in Chapter 1 of your textbook, which I encourage you to study. Work through the exercises and practice saying the vocabulary OUTLOUD. Don't forget the helpful flashcards and audio files on the McGraw Hill website. NOW is the time to start practicing new vocabulary.
Next week we will start learn the verbs for "to be" and starting forming sentences. Take a look ahead to Chapter 2!
Have a great week! ¡Que tengan una buena semana!
Semana (Week) 1
¡Bienvenidos, amigos! I'm so excited to partner with WSU Tech and help you discover the beautiful Spanish language and Hispanic cultures. It was such a pleasure to meet you, and I'm looking forward to working and learning together these next seven weeks.
In our first class, we learned about the importance of Spanish around the world and in our hometown. We discussed how, in learning any language, it's critical that you take some time each day (outside of class) to study grammar, practice speaking and listening, and immerse yourself in the language. Watch TV, listen to podcasts and the radio, practice with your Spanish-speaking friends and co-workers, read a children's libro, sing along with your favorite cantante latino.
We learned how to introduce ourself and express why we're learning Spanish. We studied the alphabet and the sounds each letter makes in Spanish, and practiced reading sample words. Finally, we practiced some common phrases such as greetings, responses, polite expressions, and other useful phrases.
Next week we will discuss the elements that constitute a sentence and learn about Spanish nouns and adjectives. We'll learn new phrases and question words to build our conversation skills.
For homework, study Chapter 1 of your textbook and try to work through the exercises. Don't forget to listen and imitate the audio as well! Links to the digital book, the handouts, class recordings, podcasts, and many other resources can be found here. Listen to some of the beginner podcasts I recommend, or find one of your own! Start tuning your ear to spoken Spanish, repeat what you hear, and listen for words you know. Consistency is key!