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Kieran Ball

The whole of the Spanish language can be broken down into several different structures. If you take any sentence from any Spanish book or any utterance, you will see that it fits into one of these structures.

I remember one weekend, I was writing some lessons for the week ahead, when I suddenly realised this. I noticed that there are a certain number of structures in Spanish, and that every sentence follows one of these structures. I spent the rest of the weekend working out all the structures, and I wrote them all down.

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The whole of the Spanish language can be broken down into several different structures. If you take any sentence from any Spanish book or any utterance, you will see that it fits into one of these structures.

I remember one weekend, I was writing some lessons for the week ahead, when I suddenly realised this. I noticed that there are a certain number of structures in Spanish, and that every sentence follows one of these structures. I spent the rest of the weekend working out all the structures, and I wrote them all down.

Every structure you learn gives you the ability to say a huge amount. Some structures are used more than others, but all the structures together make up the whole Spanish language. Once you’ve learnt how a structure works, all you have to do is insert different words into the slots and you have a sentence.

This course introduces you to structure 1. I’ve limited each course to one structure so as not to overburden you. By looking at just one structure at a time, you can really get to grips with it and understand its usage. It will help to clarify the Spanish language and make it more like a reflex rather than something you have to think about as is it were a maths equation.

Each structure can also help to propel you to fluency; if you can manipulate the structures at high speed, you can start to say anything you want without having to thing about how to say it.

This course contains plenty of practice opportunities for you to revise what you’ve learnt and it also contains some hints and tips on how best to learn and memorise the structures and the vocabulary that goes with them. You’ll learn how to make questions out of structure 1, how to make statements and how to turn positive statements negative.

The Building Structures in Spanish series is set out using the same learning techniques as the 3 Minute Spanish courses. You can work through the course in three minute chunks, enabling anybody to learn Spanish, no matter how little time you have.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Learn about the first structure in the spanish language.
  • Get to grips with how easy it is to manipulate this structure and say what you want with it.
  • Get plenty of opportunity to practise using this structure.
  • Learn how to form questions and statements in structure 1.
  • Learn all the question words in spanish and some infinitives.
  • Complete lessons in 3 minute chunks – perfect for the busy learner.
  • Build your own sentences without memorisation.
  • Speak from the very first lesson.

Syllabus

Introduction
Lesson 1
Lesson 2
Lesson 4
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Breaks down the Spanish language into manageable structures, which provides a solid foundation for learners who are new to the language and may feel overwhelmed by its complexity
Focuses on a single structure at a time, which allows learners to deeply understand its usage and application before moving on to more complex concepts
Presents lessons in short, three-minute chunks, which makes it easier for learners to fit language study into their busy schedules and maintain consistency
Emphasizes building sentences without rote memorization, which encourages a more intuitive and flexible understanding of the language and its underlying principles
Requires learners to take subsequent courses in the series to gain a more complete understanding of the Spanish language, which may not suit all learners
Teaches learners how to form questions and statements, which are essential skills for basic communication and interaction in Spanish-speaking environments

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Reviews summary

Beginner spanish: mastering structure 1

According to learners, this course is a highly effective and accessible starting point for learning Spanish, particularly for beginners. Many find the unique structure-based methodology to be clear and intuitive, helping them build functional sentences almost immediately. The course's design, broken into manageable 3-minute lessons, is frequently praised for making learning achievable even for busy schedules, allowing students to speak Spanish from the very first lesson. While the focus on just one structure is deliberate and appreciated for its clarity, some learners note that it is not a comprehensive course and will require additional study for broader language acquisition, including vocabulary and other grammatical concepts. Overall, students report gaining a solid foundation in this specific structure.
Provides a solid and understandable foundation for novices.
"This course is absolutely perfect if you're a complete beginner."
"I had zero Spanish background, and this made sense."
"It builds a solid foundation from scratch."
"Ideal for those just starting out with the language."
Enables students to speak Spanish from the first lesson.
"I loved that I could start speaking Spanish in the very first lesson."
"I could build simple sentences and start communicating right away."
"The emphasis on immediate application was very motivating."
Short lessons make learning manageable for busy people.
"The 3-minute chunks were perfect for my busy life."
"I could easily fit a lesson into my day."
"Breaking it down made it much easier to digest."
Focuses on a core structure for building sentences.
"This method is amazing! I finally understand how Spanish sentences are built."
"I found the structure-based approach really clarified how sentences work."
"Learning just one structure at a time made it feel less overwhelming."
"It's amazing how much I can say just by mastering this first structure."
May be overly basic for those with some prior knowledge.
"Very basic. If you know any Spanish at all, this is likely too simple."
"Not recommended if you're beyond absolute beginner."
"I had some prior knowledge and found it moved too slowly."
Focuses narrowly on one structure; not a complete course.
"It's a great start, but you'll need other courses for more vocabulary."
"Focuses only on one structure; not a complete language course."
"Good for the structure, but I needed other resources for grammar details."
"This course is very specific; expect to need more materials."

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 Building Structures in Spanish - Structure 1 with these activities:
Review Basic Spanish Grammar
Reinforce your understanding of basic Spanish grammar concepts such as verb conjugations and sentence structure to prepare for learning specific structures.
Show steps
  • Review verb conjugations for common verbs like ser, estar, tener, and hacer.
  • Practice forming simple sentences using subject-verb-object order.
  • Familiarize yourself with common Spanish pronouns and articles.
Review 'Easy Spanish Step-by-Step'
Solidify your understanding of basic Spanish grammar and vocabulary to better grasp the structure-based approach taught in the course.
Show steps
  • Read the chapters covering basic sentence structure and verb conjugations.
  • Complete the exercises at the end of each chapter to test your understanding.
  • Make flashcards of new vocabulary words and review them regularly.
Sentence Building Practice
Practice building sentences using Structure 1 to reinforce your understanding and improve fluency.
Show steps
  • Create a list of common verbs and nouns in Spanish.
  • Use Structure 1 to form simple sentences with these words.
  • Repeat the sentences aloud to improve pronunciation and fluency.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Create Flashcards for Structure 1
Create flashcards to memorize the components and variations of Structure 1, aiding in quick recall and application.
Show steps
  • Identify the key components of Structure 1 (e.g., verb, subject, object).
  • Create flashcards with the Spanish words or phrases on one side and the English translation on the other.
  • Include example sentences using Structure 1 on the flashcards.
  • Review the flashcards regularly to reinforce memorization.
Practice with a Language Partner
Practice using Structure 1 in conversation with a language partner to improve fluency and identify areas for improvement.
Show steps
  • Find a language partner who is also learning Spanish.
  • Prepare a list of questions and topics to discuss using Structure 1.
  • Take turns asking and answering questions, focusing on correct grammar and pronunciation.
  • Provide each other with feedback on areas for improvement.
Write a Short Story Using Structure 1
Write a short story using Structure 1 to solidify your understanding and demonstrate your ability to apply it in a creative context.
Show steps
  • Brainstorm a plot and characters for your story.
  • Write a first draft of the story, focusing on using Structure 1 as much as possible.
  • Revise and edit the story for grammar, clarity, and style.
  • Share your story with others and get feedback.
Read 'Spanish Sentence Builders' by Dylan Viñales
Deepen your understanding of Spanish sentence structure and expand your vocabulary to create more complex and nuanced sentences.
Show steps
  • Read the chapters that focus on sentence construction and word order.
  • Complete the exercises to practice building different types of sentences.
  • Pay attention to the examples and try to incorporate them into your own writing and speaking.

Career center

Learners who complete Building Structures in Spanish - Structure 1 will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Translator
A translator converts written material from one language to another. This course, which focuses on building structures in Spanish, helps provide a foundation for this role. A translator must deeply understand the nuances of both the source and target languages. Developing a strong understanding of Spanish sentence structure helps a translator to accurately construct sentences in Spanish based on source material. The course's emphasis on structure manipulation will be helpful for any translator working into or out of Spanish.
Foreign Language Teacher
A foreign language teacher instructs students in the grammar, vocabulary, and usage of a non-native tongue. This course can help those who wish to teach Spanish by clarifying the structural underpinnings of the language. This course introduces essential structures that form the bedrock of the Spanish language, which can serve as the basis for lesson planning, enabling a teacher to convey the language in a systematic and comprehensible way. The course emphasizes manipulating sentence structures, which is also important for teachers to guide their students.
Interpreter
An interpreter converts spoken language from one language to another. This role requires a strong understanding of language structures, which this course helps develop. The ability to manipulate structures at high speed, as emphasized in this course, is critical for interpreting in real-time. A strong grasp of Spanish grammar, particularly sentence construction, will enable a smoother and more accurate conversational flow. This course may be useful for someone who is learning Spanish to pursue a career as an interpreter.
Localization Specialist
A localization specialist adapts content, such as websites or software, for specific linguistic and cultural regions. This role requires a deep understanding of how language is used in different contexts. This course may be useful for a localization specialist because it addresses fundamental sentence structures within Spanish, enabling them to ensure that the translated content reads naturally and accurately. The course provides the essential building blocks of the Spanish language, which all localization specialists should be familiar with.
Language Analyst
A language analyst studies the structure and use of language, often within specific contexts. This course, which introduces the first of several structures, can provide a basis for a language analyst. This course begins with the fundamentals of Spanish sentence structure which can be relevant to those who must analyze language for patterns. This foundational knowledge can be essential for language analysts seeking to understand the complexities and nuances of Spanish language use.
Bilingual Customer Service Representative
A bilingual customer service representative provides assistance to customers in two languages. This role often requires the ability to understand and respond to customer queries clearly and efficiently. This course's focus on how to easily manipulate sentence structures helps develop the necessary skills. The course helps form questions and statements, which directly informs how a customer service representative will interact in Spanish. This makes this course helpful for those seeking roles in customer-facing fields.
Bilingual Tour Guide
A bilingual tour guide conducts tours in two languages, providing information about attractions and locations. This course may be helpful for those seeking to communicate with Spanish-speaking tourists. The course offers a structured approach to sentence formation in Spanish, which is helpful for explaining places and points of interest. Those who wish to pursue a career as a bilingual tour guide may find this course useful.
Foreign Correspondent
A foreign correspondent reports news from a foreign country. This role often requires a strong command of the local language, making this course may be helpful for those pursuing a career in journalism. This course provides instruction in Spanish sentence construction, which is essential for gathering news. Those aiming to report in or on Spanish language countries may find that a course like this is a great place to start.
Academic Researcher
An academic researcher, often holding a master's or doctoral degree, conducts scholarly research in a specific area of study. This course may be useful for a researcher who is studying the Spanish language. A deep understanding of sentence structure is often necessary to analyze literature or spoken language. The course's focus on the building blocks of language may be a useful background for those beginning or continuing in academic pursuits.
ESL Instructor
An English as a second language (ESL) instructor teaches English to non-native speakers. While the course focuses on Spanish, it may be helpful for those who wish to teach English by clarifying the language structures in their source language. Understanding Spanish sentence structure helps the instructor recognize patterns and differences with English. This course may be a useful way to become more conscious of the structures that make up the target language.
Immigration Officer
An immigration officer interviews and processes people seeking to enter or stay in a country. This course may be useful for developing skills in Spanish, which is particularly important when interviewing Spanish speakers. The course's emphasis on how to form questions and statements, and also how to negate statements, may be helpful for those who need to perform interviews in Spanish. Therefore someone in this role may find this course helpful.
Content Writer
A content writer creates written material for websites, blogs, or other media. This course may be useful for writers who wish to explore Spanish language content creation. This course's approach to Spanish sentence structures, from the very first building block, helps build a strong foundation for this role. The course focuses on how to form questions and statements, which can inform how one constructs written material. Someone who understands sentence structure will be able to write more effectively and will find this course useful.
Public Relations Specialist
A public relations specialist manages the public image of an organization or individual. This course may be useful for those who will communicate with Spanish speaking audiences. The focus of the course is to master spoken Spanish by understanding and manipulating sentence structures. A solid understanding of basic sentence construction makes this course a good fit for a public relations specialist seeking to communicate in Spanish.
Technical Writer
A technical writer creates documentation for technical products or services. This course may be helpful for a technical writer who works with Spanish language resources or customers. The ability to manipulate structures, as emphasized in this course, can ensure that technical documentation is easily understood. A clear understanding of how to form statements, questions, and negations in Spanish may be helpful for those writing in the technical field.
Librarian
A librarian manages library resources and helps patrons find the information they need. This course may be useful for a librarian who wishes to better assist Spanish-speaking patrons. A deep understanding of Spanish sentence structures, as emphasized in this course, allows for effective communication. Librarians must be able to answer a wide variety of questions, which is directly addressed by this course. Therefore, a librarian may find this course useful.

Reading list

We've selected two 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 Building Structures in Spanish - Structure 1.
Offers a lexicogrammar approach to building Spanish sentences, which perfectly complements the course's focus on structures. It provides a wealth of examples and exercises to practice manipulating sentence components. It is particularly useful for understanding how different words and phrases fit together within a given structure. This book valuable resource for expanding your ability to create complex and nuanced sentences.
Provides a solid foundation in Spanish grammar and vocabulary, making it an excellent resource for beginners. It breaks down complex concepts into manageable steps, aligning well with the course's structure-based approach. While not specifically focused on structural analysis, it offers ample practice opportunities and reinforces essential language skills. It useful reference for understanding basic sentence construction.

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