Vocab test
- Te ayudo – I help you
- Enseñar – To teach
- Dibujar – To draw
- Cepillarse el cabello – To brush the hair
- Almorzar – To have lunch
- Lavar la ropa – To wash the clothes
- Recordar tu dirección – To remember your address
- Ver el partido – To see the match
- Perezoso – Lazy
- Ligero – Light
Verb of the day
Conjugate the verb ENCONTRAR (To find/ To meet) in the present tense.
| Yo | Nosotros |
| Tú | Vosotros |
| Él/ Ella/ Usted | Ellos/ Ellas/ Ustedes |
Questions to answer
¿Tu madre te enseña a nadar?
¿Por qué no quieres aprender?
¿Estás aprendiendo a dibujar?
¿A qué hora quieren cenar?
¿Cuándo empezamos a estudiar?
¿Necesitas papel?
¿Dónde quieres desayunar?
¿Cuántas tazas de café quiere usted?
A simple dialogue
Use the Spanish phrases to translate the English dialogue. Write it out and perform it.
- I need to know where the hotel is. Can you help me find the address please?
- We have it on a piece of paper. Why don’t you look for it?
- I’m going to look in the kitchen.
- Okay, and I am going to look in my handbag. Oh! Here it is!
- I want to go now.
- Me too! I have to wash my hair.
- I need to write my presentation for tomorrow.
- I know you are worried about that. I can help you to write it.
- Thanks. We can start to write it when we arrive at the hotel.
- After a shower!
- Right! Let’s go!
Use these phrases to translate the dialogue.
¡Después de ducharme!
¡Exacto! ¡Vámonos!
¡Yo también! Tengo que lavarme el pelo.
Gracias. Podemos empezar a escribirla cuando lleguemos al hotel.
La tenemos en un papel. ¿Por qué no lo buscas?
Necesito escribir mi presentación para mañana.
Necesito saber dónde está el hotel. ¿Puedes ayudarme a encontrar la dirección, por favor?
Quiero irme ahora.
Sé que te preocupa eso. Puedo ayudarte a escribirla.
Vale, y yo voy a buscar en mi bolso. ¡Oh! ¡
Aquí está!
Voy a buscar en la cocina.
Choose from a range of voices to read your dialogue here.
Grammar notes
* Read this information, then use it to quiz a friend.
Some verbs in Spanish require the preposition “a” when followed by another verb in the infinitive. Common examples include:
- Aprender a (to learn to)
- Ayudar a (to help to)
- Empezar a (to start to)
- Ir a (to go to)
| Aprendo a conducir. | I am learning to drive. |
| Ayudo a cocinar la cena. | I help to cook dinner. |
| Voy a viajar. | I am going to travel. |
| Ayudo a mi madre. | I help my mother. |
| Voy a la tienda. | I go to the store. |
| Aprendo a usar el ordenador. | I am learning to use the computer. |
| La ayudo a terminar el proyecto. | I help her finish the project. |
| Voy a recogerlo. | I am going to pick him up. |
Some verbs do not require “a” before another verb in the infinitive. These include:
- Querer (to want)
- Necesitar (to need)
- Poder (to be able to)
| Quiero comer. | I want to eat. |
| Necesito descansar. | I need to rest. |
| Puedo ayudarte. | I can help you. |
| Quiero una bicicleta. | I want a bicycle. |
| Necesito un lápiz. | I need a pencil. |
| La quiero comprar. | I want to buy it. |
| Te necesito aquí. | I need you here. |
Tips for Remembering
- Use “a” with verbs indicating starting, learning, or helping actions (e.g., empezar, aprender, ayudar).
- Do not use “a” with verbs expressing desire, need, or ability (e.g., querer, necesitar, poder).
- Pay attention to whether the verb implies movement, transition, or direction (e.g., ir a).
Journal prompts
Write short sentences. Keep them as simple as you can.
Use a translation tool to put them into Spanish.
Write them out, then check them with your teacher. Present them to a friend, teaching your friend any new Spanish, and making sure they learn it!
| Write down five things you want. Write down five things you need. What is the difference between what you want, and what you need? | Escribe cinco cosas que quieras. Escribe cinco cosas que necesitas. ¿Cuál es la diferencia entre lo que quieres y lo que necesitas? |
Next lesson: 3.15 Describe chores
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Key features.
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- List of 20 vocabulary items to learn for each unit
- Space to note Duolingo phrases
- A conjugated verb for each unit
- Duolingo inspired questions to answer with the help of AI
- A simple on-theme dialogue for each unit
- Grammar explanations for each unit
- Suggested websites for further study
- Journal prompts to encourage the Spanish journaling habit
- Teaching notes and ideas
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