Course Overview: This online Diploma in Spanish (Basic) is designed to give students a fundamental understanding of the Spanish language. The course will cover essential grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and cultural insights, all aimed at helping students become confident in basic Spanish communication. Each module is structured to build on the previous one, leading students to a practical understanding of everyday Spanish.
Module 1: Introduction to the Spanish Language and Basic Greetings
Course Outline:
Introduction to the Spanish language and its global influence.
Importance of learning Spanish: Countries where Spanish is spoken.
Pronunciation guide: Spanish alphabet and basic sounds.
Basic greetings and introductions: “Hola”, “¿Cómo estás?”, “¿Qué tal?”, and formal vs. informal language.
Asking for and giving personal information: Name, age, nationality.
Cultural insights: Spanish-speaking cultures and customs.
Learning Outcomes:
Understand basic Spanish pronunciation.
Be able to greet others and introduce yourself.
Understand cultural variations in greetings.
Module 2: Numbers, Time, and Dates
Course Outline:
Numbers from 1-100 and beyond.
Telling the time in Spanish: “¿Qué hora es?”
Days of the week and months of the year.
Forming basic dates: Day, month, and year.
Ordinal numbers (first, second, etc.) and their usage.
Cultural insights: How dates and times are structured in Spanish-speaking countries.
Learning Outcomes:
Confidently use numbers and time expressions.
Be able to tell the time and give the date.
Understand cultural differences in expressing time.
Module 3: Basic Sentence Structure and Verb “Ser” (to be)
Course Outline:
Basic sentence structure: Subject-Verb-Object.
Introduction to Spanish verbs: Present tense of regular verbs.
Focus on the verb “ser” (to be) and its usage.
Using “ser” to describe identity, nationality, and occupation.
Forming simple sentences with “ser”.
Cultural insights: The importance of formality in Spanish-speaking cultures.
Learning Outcomes:
Form simple sentences using the verb “ser”.
Describe personal information such as name, nationality, and occupation.
Recognize when to use formal vs. informal forms of "you" in Spanish.
Module 4: Family, Friends, and Relationships
Course Outline:
Vocabulary for family members and relationships.
Describing relationships: Immediate family, extended family, and friends.
Using adjectives to describe people: Physical characteristics and personality traits.
Possessive adjectives: My, your, his, her, etc.
Practice dialogues about family and friends.
Cultural insights: Family structure and values in Spanish-speaking countries.
Learning Outcomes:
Be able to talk about your family and friends.
Use possessive adjectives correctly in conversation.
Understand cultural differences in family structures.
Module 5: Food, Drinks, and Shopping
Course Outline:
Vocabulary for common foods, drinks, and shopping-related phrases.
Ordering food and drinks in a restaurant.
Asking for prices and handling currency.
Basic shopping phrases: “¿Cuánto cuesta?”, “¿Dónde está…?”
Practicing dialogues in a restaurant or store setting.
Cultural insights: Spanish cuisine and dining etiquette.
Learning Outcomes:
Order food and drinks and engage in shopping conversations.
Understand common phrases used in food and shopping situations.
Gain insight into food culture in Spanish-speaking countries.
Module 6: Travel, Transportation, and Directions
Course Outline:
Vocabulary related to transportation: Bus, taxi, train, airplane, etc.
Asking for and giving directions.
Basic travel-related phrases: “¿Dónde está…?”, “¿Cómo llego a…?”
Understanding public transportation systems and travel etiquette.
Dialogues for navigating airports, stations, and public places.
Cultural insights: Travel habits in Spanish-speaking countries.
Learning Outcomes:
Ask for and understand directions in Spanish.
Use transportation-related vocabulary.
Navigate a Spanish-speaking country with basic travel phrases.
Module 7: Common Verbs and Everyday Activities
Course Outline:
Introduction to common regular verbs in the present tense.
Verb conjugation practice: -ar, -er, -ir verbs.
Talking about daily routines and activities.
Expressing likes and dislikes: “Me gusta”, “No me gusta”.
Questions and negations in Spanish.
Cultural insights: Daily life in Spanish-speaking countries.
Learning Outcomes:
Conjugate regular verbs in the present tense.
Discuss daily routines and activities.
Express likes and dislikes in Spanish.
Module 8: Common Phrases for Socializing and Basic Conversations
Course Outline:
Useful social phrases for making small talk: “¿Qué tal?”, “¿Cómo estás?”
Asking and answering basic questions about hobbies, interests, and free time.
Engaging in casual conversations in Spanish.
Practice using a variety of expressions in different social contexts.
Cultural insights: The role of conversation and socializing in Spanish-speaking cultures.
Learning Outcomes:
Engage in basic social conversations in Spanish.
Use phrases for casual encounters and making small talk.
Understand cultural nuances in social interactions.