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Begoña García Migura, Virginia González, Cristina Navarro, and Prof. Ana Gimeno

This 7-week Spanish language course is aimed at students who would like to learn conversational Spanish starting with Spanish basics. The course introduces everyday language and includes activities to practice all four language skills: reading comprehension, writing, listening comprehension and speaking.

This course will introduce you to the A1 proficiency level as described in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL, Council of Europe 2001). After completing this course, you will be prepared to introduce yourself, ask basic questions, and conduct a brief conversation in Spanish.

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This 7-week Spanish language course is aimed at students who would like to learn conversational Spanish starting with Spanish basics. The course introduces everyday language and includes activities to practice all four language skills: reading comprehension, writing, listening comprehension and speaking.

This course will introduce you to the A1 proficiency level as described in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL, Council of Europe 2001). After completing this course, you will be prepared to introduce yourself, ask basic questions, and conduct a brief conversation in Spanish.

This course uses reference materials, cultural notes, grammar explanations, functions of language, etc. Students will be able to monitor their progress by taking a number of performance tests and a final achievement test.

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Basic conversational skills
  • The alphabet and numbers
  • How to describe your nationality, your likes, and your family
  • Using the verb to be ; basic conjugation

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Provides a solid introduction to conversational Spanish, building a foundation for further language learning
Well-structured course with clear learning objectives and a logical progression of topics
Taught by experienced instructors who provide clear and engaging explanations
Suitable for beginners with no prior knowledge of Spanish
Emphasizes practical language skills, equipping learners for real-world communication
May require additional practice and exposure to enhance fluency

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Reviews summary

Beginner spanish 1: key concepts

learners say, beginners will enjoy this course as it presents the basics of Spanish in engaging assignments, such as videos, readings, and exams. The course is largely positive in the areas of clear videos, which learners appreciate, practical exercises, and helpful explanations. Some learners did find it challenging, especially when instructors spoke too quickly in Spanish.
As a portuguese native speaker, it was a lot eaiser than a native english speaker, but I had such a great time .
"As a portuguese native speaker, it was a lot eaiser than a native english speaker, but I had such a great time ."
This course was extremely helpful. I knew a lot of Spanish from working in kitchens, but I wanted to learn more verbs, and how to speak proper. This class is easy to follow, and I like how you can go at your own pace.
"This course was extremely helpful. I knew a lot of Spanish from working in kitchens, but I wanted to learn more verbs, and how to speak proper. This class is easy to follow, and I like how you can go at your own pace."
The explanations were clear, simple and straight to the point. Example dialogs were easy to understand.
"The explanations were clear, simple and straight to the point. Example dialogs were easy to understand."
It was very helpful and well paced. I completed it in 2 days hence there could have been more exercises . Overall I learnt quite a lot and it was very informative and well explained
"It was very helpful and well paced. I completed it in 2 days hence there could have been more exercises . Overall I learnt quite a lot and it was very informative and well explained"
It's great. it is made me proud to have accomplished and received confirmation of the achievement from you. Thank you all. I finally learned a new language in a lucid way. Though it will take time to speak Spanish fluently but now I can understand and convey my message in my broken words.
"It's great. it is made me proud to have accomplished and received confirmation of the achievement from you. Thank you all. I finally learned a new language in a lucid way. Though it will take time to speak Spanish fluently but now I can understand and convey my message in my broken words."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Basic Spanish 1: Getting Started with these activities:
Read '¡Hola! Spanish for Beginners' by Ana Martín
Reading this beginner-friendly book provides a well-structured introduction to Spanish language basics.
Show steps
  • Purchase the book or borrow it from a library.
  • Read one chapter a day and complete the exercises.
  • Summarize the key points from each chapter.
Practice Spanish Pronunciation, Vocabulary, and Basic Grammar
Start by spending time practicing the alphabet, basic vocabulary, and introductory grammar to establish a proper foundation and reinforce basics.
Show steps
  • Use an online language learning platform like Duolingo or Babbel for 15 minutes.
  • Listen to Spanish music with lyrics and try to match the pronunciation.
  • Read basic Spanish children's books or short stories.
Practice Conjugating Regular and Irregular Spanish Verbs
Practice the core building blocks of Spanish grammar by conjugating regular and irregular verbs.
Browse courses on Spanish Verbs
Show steps
  • Use an online verb conjugation tool like SpanishDict or WordReference.
  • Create your cheat sheet with common verb conjugations.
Show all three activities

Career center

Learners who complete Basic Spanish 1: Getting Started will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Spanish Teacher
Spanish Teachers help students to develop strong conversational skills, understand basic grammar, and gain proficiency in speaking, writing, reading, and listening in Spanish. This course can help you get started on your journey to becoming a Spanish Teacher, providing you with essential foundational knowledge in Spanish grammar, conversation starters, and basic level Spanish vocabulary. After completing this course, you will be prepared to continue learning Spanish so that you can effectively teach the language to students in a classroom or online setting.
Translator
Translators use their knowledge of grammar and vocabulary in two or more languages to accurately convey the meaning of written or spoken communication from one language to another. This course helps you develop the reading comprehension, writing, listening comprehension and speaking skills required by Translators. While this course, on its own, may not be enough to become a Translator, it is an important step towards building a foundation for your future career.
Interpreter
Interpreters help facilitate communication between parties who do not share a common language. Training to become an Interpreter requires proficiency in more than one language, including advanced knowledge of grammar. This makes this course an ideal first step on your journey to becoming an Interpreter, as it provides foundational training in conversation skills, essential grammar, and reading comprehension in Spanish. Completing this course with a strong grade will also help you build the skills needed to pass language proficiency exams and certification exams required to become a professional Interpreter.
Foreign Language Interpreter
Foreign Language Interpreters help facilitate communication between parties who do not share a common language. They generally specialize in one or two languages, and must have the ability to interpret both spoken and written language. This course can be a helpful first step on your journey to becoming an Interpreter, as it provides training in conversation skills, essential grammar, and reading comprehension in Spanish. A strong showing in this course may also help you build the skills to pass the certification exams required to become a Foreign Language Interpreter.
Teacher
Teachers help students to develop strong conversational skills, understand basic grammar, and gain proficiency in speaking, writing, reading, and listening in a specific subject. While this course is focused on basic Spanish conversation, you can use the skills you learn to eventually teach other subjects, such as your native language, in Spanish-speaking countries.
Writer
Writers use their strong command of language to communicate ideas and information to readers. This course will help you build a solid foundation in Spanish grammar and vocabulary, which will be invaluable if you are interested in writing in Spanish. After completing this course, you will be prepared to continue your Spanish studies, and you may eventually use these language skills to pursue a career as a Writer.
Editor
Editors work to ensure written material is free of errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation. This may involve working with writers to improve clarity and flow. A strong grasp of grammar is essential for an Editor, and this course provides an excellent introduction to the basics of Spanish grammar.
Librarian
Librarians help people find and access information. They may also provide instruction on how to use library resources. This course will give you a basic understanding of Spanish grammar and vocabulary, which can be helpful if you are interested in working in a library that serves a Spanish-speaking community.
Journalist
Journalists gather, analyze, and report on news and current events. They must be able to communicate effectively in writing and speech. This course will help you develop a basic level of proficiency in Spanish, which will come in handy if you wish to conduct interviews, research stories, or report on events in Spanish-speaking countries.
Event Planner
Event Planners organize and coordinate events, such as weddings, conferences, and parties. They must be able to communicate effectively with clients and vendors. This foundational course in Spanish grammar and conversation may be helpful if you plan to work as an event planner for Spanish-speaking clients.
Customer Service Representative
Customer Service Representatives provide support to customers by phone, email, or chat. They must be able to communicate effectively and resolve customer issues. This course in Spanish conversation and grammar could be helpful if you are interested in working as a Customer Service Representative for a company that serves Spanish-speaking customers.
Sales Representative
Sales Representatives sell products or services to customers. They must be able to communicate effectively and persuade customers to make a purchase. This course in Spanish conversation and grammar may be helpful if you are interested in working as a Sales Representative for a company that sells products or services to Spanish-speaking customers.
Administrative Assistant
Administrative Assistants provide support to managers and other professionals. They may answer phones, schedule appointments, and manage correspondence. This course in basic Spanish conversation and grammar could be helpful in an administrative role that requires interaction with Spanish-speaking clients or colleagues.
Marketing Manager
Marketing Managers develop and execute marketing campaigns to promote products or services. They must be able to communicate effectively with customers and stakeholders. This course in Spanish conversation and grammar could be helpful if you are interested in working as a Marketing Manager for a company that markets products or services to Spanish-speaking customers.
Human Resources Manager
Human Resources Managers oversee all aspects of human resources, including recruitment, hiring, training, and employee relations. They must be able to communicate effectively with employees and management. This course in Spanish conversation and grammar could be helpful if you are interested in working as a Human Resources Manager for a company with Spanish-speaking employees.

Reading list

We've selected seven books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Basic Spanish 1: Getting Started.
This textbook is commonly used at academic institutions in the United States and is particularly useful for additional reading or as a reference tool.
Is commonly used as a textbook at academic institutions and by industry professionals and useful reference tool for intermediate Spanish learners.
Is commonly used as a textbook at academic institutions and by industry professionals and useful reference tool for intermediate Spanish learners.
Is commonly used as a textbook at academic institutions and useful reference tool for basic grammar and vocabulary.

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