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María: ¡Buenos días a todos! ¡bienvenidos a nuestra clase de español para principiantes!
Good morning, everyone! What does "buenos días a todos" mean?
And "bienvenidos"?
And finally "nuestra clase de español para principiantes".
2. Our Spanish class for beginners
3. New Spanish class for participants
Which Spanish word translates to "beginners"?
The Students/ Los estudiantes
María's small class consists of five diverse students, each carrying their own burdens and hopes.
1. Jake color is = ///// : A white teenage boy, Jake is quiet and introspective. He has seen more than his fair share of horror and loss, but in María's class, he finds a sense of purpose. Learning Spanish is his way of connecting with a world that once was, and he approaches each lesson with a quiet determination.
2. Marco, color is = /////: : A Latino boy who bears the physical and emotional scars of the apocalypse, Marco was separated from his family at the tender age of two, just two months after the world descended into chaos. Despite his difficult past, Marco has a fierce drive to learn the language of his heritage. He sees María as a link to the family he lost and the culture he never had the chance to fully embrace.
3. Tatiana, color is = //// : Also goes by, Tiana, is a black girl with a sharp tongue and a fierce attitude. She considers herself the community princess, a self-appointed title that often puts her at odds with others. Her rudeness is a shield, a way to protect herself from the pain and loss that has touched everyone around her. Despite her tough exterior, she attends María's class regularly, perhaps seeking something more than just language skills.
4. Samantha, color is /// // =: A freckled, blonde-haired girl with sudden, outburst of energy, Samantha often blurts out the wrong answers in her eagerness to participate. Her enthusiasm is both endearing and exasperating, but María handles her with patience and encouragement. Samantha's resilience and optimism are a warrior of hope in these dark times.
5. Mark color is = /// / : The last student is Mark, a charming young man who constantly flirts with María. His advances are met with polite indifference, as María remains focused on her mission. Despite his flirtatious nature, Mark is genuinely interested in learning and often surprises the class with his insightful questions and observations.
Introduction of María in the Soulless Apocalypse as Señora García:
In the midst of the Soulless Apocalypse, where survival is the primary concern and chaos reigns, there are still leaders of hope and resilience. One such leader is María Isabel Reyes García, an Afro-Latina teacher who has dedicated herself to preserving and spreading knowledge. Even in these harsh times, María believes in the power of education and cultural preservation, understanding that language is a crucial link to humanity's diverse heritage.
María holds her Spanish classes in a small, well-defended community, a rare oasis of safety amidst the turmoil. This community, fortified with barricades and guarded vigilantly, provides a semblance of normalcy and security. Within its walls, the remnants of society cling to the values that once held the world together, and María's classroom is a show of this perseverance.
María's classroom is a repurposed community center, its walls lined with scavenged books and teaching materials. The room is modest but filled with warmth, a stark contrast to the desolation outside. A whiteboard stands at the front, bearing the remnants of past lessons, and a few wooden desks and chairs are arranged in a semicircle, encouraging interaction and engagement.
María stands at the front of the classroom, her presence a mixture of grace and strength. Her deep black curls frame a face that radiates warmth and wisdom, and her hazel eyes reflect a determination to impart knowledge despite the odds. She speaks with a soft Spanish accent, her voice a soothing contrast to the harsh realities outside.
"Bienvenidos, everyone," María begins, her smile genuine and welcoming. "Today, we will continue learning about conjugating verbs in the present tense. Remember, language is not just a tool for communication but a bridge to our past and a light for our future."
As she writes on the whiteboard, the room fills with a sense of purpose. The students, despite their varied backgrounds and personalities, are united in this moment of learning. María moves through the lesson with a fluidity born of passion and experience, her explanations clear and engaging.
When Samantha enthusiastically yells out, "Amar! To love!" in response to a question about verb conjugation, María gently corrects her, "Casi, Samantha. Amar means 'to love,' but we were looking for the conjugation. Can someone help Samantha out?"
Jake quietly raises his hand, offering the correct answer with a shy smile. María nods approvingly, "Muy bien, Jake. 'Amo' is 'I love.' Great job."
Tiana rolls her eyes but follows along, while Marco listens intently, absorbing every word as if it were a lifeline. Mark, as usual, tries to catch María's eye with a flirtatious grin, but she remains focused on the lesson, her dedication unwavering.
In this small classroom, María is not just teaching Spanish; she is nurturing hope and resilience. Her lessons are a reminder of the world that once was and a show of the enduring power of knowledge and culture. Despite the chaos outside, within these walls, there is learning, growth, and a semblance of normalcy.
María's commitment to her students and her belief in the importance of education shone through in every lesson. She knows that by teaching them Spanish, she is giving them more than just a language; she is giving them a connection to their roots, a sense of identity, and the tools to rebuild a shattered world.
In the heart of the Soulless Apocalypse, María Isabel Reyes García stands as a Leader of hope, spreading knowledge and cultural pride, and proving that even in the darkest times, the light of education can never be extinguished.
María smiled warmly at her students as she finished explaining verb conjugation. She could sense the varying levels of engagement and curiosity in the room. Deciding to lighten the mood and build a solid foundation, she turned to a fundamental but crucial aspect of the language.
"Alright, class, let's take a step back and revisit something essential," María announced, her voice filled with enthusiasm. "Who here knows the Spanish alphabet?"
The room fell silent. The students exchanged uncertain glances, none of them wanting to be the first to speak. The silence lingered until Samantha, always eager, blurted out, "Oo, Bi, Ce... um, Du... Ee... uh, Fee... Gee... Hey... Ii... Hi... um, Key... Lee... Mi... iNya... Oo... Pe... Que... La... Say... Ti... Ue... Ve... We... Kay... Yah... See..."
Her words tumbled out in a chaotic stream, her eyes darting to the ceiling in confusion. She stuttered and hesitated, but never stopped blurting out whatever came to her mind. Her attempt, though spirited, was far from accurate, and the other students began to squirm in their seats. Tiana rolled her eyes and let out an audible sigh of annoyance.
María quickly intervened, her tone gentle but firm. "Okay, Samantha, sweetie. It's okay to try, but if you absolutely don’t know something, never just wing it, honey. Please."
Samantha blushed but nodded, appreciating María's kindness. The tension in the room eased as María prepared to make the lesson engaging for everyone.
María knew that to make the alphabet memorable, she needed to use a method that was both engaging and educational. She decided to incorporate phonetics and rhythm, leveraging the power of sounds and repetition to aid in retention. She moved to the front of the room, her face lighting up with a playful grin.
"Let’s learn the Spanish alphabet in a way that’s fun and easy to remember," María began. "I want everyone to stand up and get ready to move a little."
The students stood up, curiosity piqued. María clapped her hands rhythmically, establishing a beat that echoed the flamenco rhythms of her childhood.
"Repeat after me, and clap along to the rhythm," she instructed, beginning with a slow and steady pace.
Clap, clap, clap, clap.
"Ah, Beh, Seh, Deh, Eh, eFe, Heh, o, Geh," María chanted, her voice melodious and clear.
The students echoed her, their voices unsteady at first but gradually gaining confidence.
Clap, clap, clap, clap.
"Hache, Ee, Ho-tah, Ka, eLe, eMe, eNe," María continued, emphasizing the unique 'eÑe' with a slight flourish in her voice.
Again, the students followed, their claps and chants becoming more synchronized.
Clap, clap, clap, clap.
"Oso, Pe, Ku, eRe, eSe, Te, Oo," María's eyes sparkled as she saw the students starting to enjoy the rhythm.
The repetition helped solidify the letters in their minds, and the rhythmic clapping created a sense of unity and engagement.
Clap, clap, clap, clap.
"uVe, Uve doble, Equis, Igriega, Zeta," María finished, her voice rising slightly in a playful crescendo.
The students repeated the final letters, their voices strong and confident. María smiled broadly, pleased with their progress.
"Now, let's break it down and learn the sounds of el Alfabeto Español," María said, her tone inviting.
She wrote el Alfabeto Español on the whiteboard, each Alfabeto standing out clearly.
"A: This is 'ah,' like in 'amigo'," María began, drawing out the sound so the students could hear the phonetic nuance.
"B: This is 'beh,' like in 'bien'," she continued, her voice clear and precise.
"C: This can be 'seh' or 'theh' depending on the region, like in 'casa' or 'cielo'," she explained, highlighting the variation.
"D: This is 'deh,' like in 'día'," María pronounced, ensuring the students repeated after her.
"E: This is 'eh,' like in 'elefante'," she said, her voice rhythmic.
"F: This is 'efe,' like in 'fuego'," she articulated, her pronunciation crisp.
"G: This is 'heh' or 'geh,' depending on the vowel that follows, like in 'gato' or 'genio'," María demonstrated, giving Examples to clarify.
"H: This is 'hache,' but remember, it's silent, like in 'hola'," she pointed out, smiling at the students' nods of understanding.
"I: This is 'ee,' like in 'Iglesia'," she continued, making sure everyone repeated.
"J: This is 'jota,' pronounced like 'ho-tah,' as in 'jugar'," María emphasized the guttural sound.
"K: This is 'ka,' like in 'kilo'," she said, keeping it simple.
"L: This is 'ele,' like in 'libro'," she explained, her tone steady.
"M: This is 'eme,' like in 'manzana'," María added, ensuring clarity.
"N: This is 'ene,' like in 'noche'," she continued.
"Ñ: This is 'eñe,' a unique sound like in 'niño'," María highlighted, her voice playful.
"O: This is 'oh,' like in 'oso'," she said, her pronunciation clear.
"P: This is 'pe,' like in 'perro'," María pronounced.
"Q: This is 'ku,' like in 'queso'," she continued.
"R: This is 'ere,' and sometimes you roll it, like in 'perro' or 'rojo'," María explained, demonstrating the roll.
"S: This is 'ese,' like in 'sol'," she continued.
"T: This is 'te,' like in 'tigre'," she said.
"U: This is 'oo,' like in 'uva'," María pronounced.
"V: This is 'uve,' often pronounced like 'b,' as in 'vino'," she clarified.
"W: This is 'uve doble,' like in 'whisky'," she added, noting its less frequent use.
"X: This is 'equis,' like in 'xilófono'," María said, her tone steady.
"Y: This is 'Igriega,' like in 'yoyo'," she pronounced.
"Z: This is 'zeta,' pronounced 'theh-tah' in Spain or 'seh-tah' in Latin America, like in 'zapato'," she explained.
The students repeated each Alfabeto and its sound, their voices gaining confidence and clarity. María saw their engagement and decided to reinforce the lesson with a song.
"Now, let's put it all together with a song," María said, picking up her guitar from the corner of the room. She strummed a few chords, finding a simple yet catchy tune.
She began to sing, her voice rich and inviting, weaving el Alfabeto Espanol into a melody.
"Ah, Beh, Seh, Deh, Eh, eFe, Heh, or, Geh," she sang, strumming her guitar in time with the rhythm.
The students joined in, their voices blending together, the melody making the letters flow naturally.
"Hache, Ee, Ho-tah, Ka, eLe, eMe, eNe, eÑe," the melody continued, the unique 'Ñ' adding a distinctive touch to the song.
"Oso, Pe, Ku, eRe, eSe, Te, Oo," the students sang, their confidence growing with each line.
"uVe, Uve doble, Equis, Igriega, Zeta," the final notes of the song lingered in the air, the students' voices carrying the melody.
María let the final chord resonate, her eyes scanning the room, seeing the smiles on her students' faces. The combination of rhythm, melody, and phonetics had worked its magic, making el Alfabeto Espanol not only easy to remember but also enjoyable to learn.
"Let’s do it once more, all together," María suggested, her voice filled with encouragement.
The students eagerly began again, clapping and singing, el Alfabeto Espanol with newfound confidence and joy. By the end of the lesson, el Alfabeto Espanol was etched into their minds, each letter tied to a rhythm, melody, and phonetic understanding that made learning feel like a celebration.
El Alfabeto by Señora García
El Alfabeto Español (The Spanish Alphabet)
| Letter | Name | Sound | Example |
|-----------------|-----------------------|---------------------------|-----------------------|
| A | a | ah | amigo |
| B | be | beh | bien |
| C | ce | seh (before e, i), keh | casa, cielo |
| D | de | deh | día |
| E | e | eh | elefante |
| F | efe | eh-feh | fuego |
| G | ge | heh (before e, i), geh | gato, genio |
| H | hache | silent | hola |
| I | i | ee | iglesia |
| J | jota | ho-tah | jugar |
| K | ka | ka | kilo |
| L | ele | eh-leh | libro |
| M | eme | eh-meh | manzana |
| N | ene | eh-neh | noche |
| Ñ | eñe | en-yeh | niño |
| O | o | oh | oso |
| P | pe | peh | perro |
| Q | cu | koo | queso |
| R | ere | eh-reh (roll) | rojo, perro |
| S | ese | eh-seh | sol |
| T | te | teh | tigre |
| U | u | oo | uva |
| V | uve | ooh-beh (often like b) | vino |
| W | uve doble | ooh-beh doh-bleh | whisky |
| X | equis | eh-kees | xilófono |
| Y | igriega | ee gree-eh-gah, yuh | yoyo |
| Z | zeta | theh-tah (Spain), seh-tah| zapato |
C: Pronounced as "seh" before 'e' and 'i' (like in "cielo"), and "keh" before 'a,' 'o,' and 'u' (like in "casa").
G: Pronounced as "heh" before 'e' and 'i' (like in "genio"), and "geh" before 'a,' 'o,' and 'u' (like in "gato").
H: Always silent (like in "hola").
J: Pronounced with a guttural sound, similar to the English 'h' but stronger (like in "jugar").
LL: Often pronounced like 'y' in "yellow," but in some regions, it can be pronounced as 'zh' (like in "tortilla").
Ñ: A unique sound, pronounced like 'ny' in "canyon" (like in "niño").
R: Rolled 'r' sound, especially when it is the first letter of a word or when it follows 'l,' 'n,' or 's' (like in "rojo" and "perro").
1. Clapping and Rhythm:
- María uses clapping to establish a rhythm that helps students remember the order and sounds of the letters.
2. Phonetic Practice:
- Each letter is pronounced clearly, with Examples to demonstrate its sound in common words.
3. Melody and Song:
- Incorporating a simple, catchy tune helps students memorize the alphabet through melody.
María encouraged the students to stand and follow along as she clapped and chanted each letter, creating a fun and engaging way to learn the alphabet. Here’s how she integrated the chart into the lesson:
A: "A, a, ah, amigo!" (Clap, clap)
B: "B, be, beh, bien!" (Clap, clap)
C: "C, ce, seh, casa!" (Clap, clap)
And so on, reinforcing the sounds and Example's with each letter. The rhythmic clapping and chanting created an immersive learning experience, making the Spanish alphabet not only educational but also memorable.
This chart serves as a handy reference for the students, encapsulating the key aspects of the Spanish alphabet in a format that is easy to follow and understand.
Matching Sounds
Objective: Match the Spanish letter to its correct sound.
Instructions:
Draw a line connecting each Spanish letter to the correct sound.
Letters:
1. A? a. Ee b. Efe c. Ah d. Eh
3. C? a. Ci b. Se c. Seh d. Cee
4. D? a. De b. Di c. Deh d. Dih
5. E? a. Eh b. Ei c. Ee d. eLe
6. F? a. Ehf b. eh-feh c. elf d. Fe
7. G? a. Gi b. Gey c. Ge d. Heh
8. H? a. Hache b. Holta c. Silent d. Heh
10. J? a. ho-tah b. Jolka c. Jei d. Jeh
Fill in the Blanks
Objective: Practice writing the correct sounds for each letter.
Instructions:
- Fill in the blank with the correct sound for each Spanish letter.
1. The sound of the letter K is
2. The sound of the letter L is
a. El b. eh-leh c. Ele d. eh-ela
3. The sound of the letter M is
4. The sound of the letter N is
a. eh-neh b. Nee c. ne d. en-ey
5. The sound of the letter Ñ is
a. eÑe b. Eh-yeh c. enya d. en-yeh
6. The sound of the letter O is
7. The sound of the letter P is
8. The sound of the letter Q is
9. The sound of the letter R is
a. Ere b. Err c. eh-reh d. Ere
10. The sound of the letter S is
a. Essey b. Ehs c. eh-sey d. Ese
Multiple Choice
Objective: Reinforce knowledge of the Spanish alphabet sounds.
Instructions:
- Choose the correct answer for each question.
1. What sound does the letter T make?
- a) Te
- b) Teh
- c) Tih
- d) Tu
2. What sound does the letter U make?
- a) uh
- b) Usar
- c) Uay
- d) oo
3. What sound does the letter V make?
- a) Be
- b) Vi
- c) ooh-beh
- d) Vay
4. What sound does the letter W make?
- a) Ooh-Bleh-oo
- b) Dub-oh
- c) ooh-beh doh-bleh
- d) Ewe
5. What sound does the letter X make?
- a) Ex
- b) Xi
- c) Equis
- d) eh-kees
6. What sound does the letter Y make?
- a) Ye
- b) ee gree-eh-gah
7. What sound does the letter Z make?
- a) Zee
- b) Say
- c) Zeta
- d) seh-tah
A (ah)
"A is pronounced 'ah', like in the word 'amigo'," María pronounced the vowel slowly and clearly, ensuring the students could hear the distinct sound.
Example: Amigo (ah-mee-goh)
María memory Tip: "Imagine you're opening your mouth wide to say 'ah' at the dentist. Ah for 'amigo'—a friend who always makes you say 'ah' in surprise and happiness."
María had the students practice saying "ah" while opening their mouths wide, then repeating the word "amigo" together.
E (eh)
"E is pronounced 'eh', like in the word 'elefante'." She emphasized the open, short sound of the vowel.
Example: Elefante (eh-leh-fahn-teh)
María memory Tip: "Think of the sound you make when you understand something. 'Eh!' as in 'elefante'—an elephant that makes you say 'eh!' when you see its size."
María encouraged the students to make the "eh" sound like they just understood something, then say "elefante" together, mimicking the feeling of realization.
I (ee)
"I is pronounced 'ee', like in the word 'iglesia'," María made the sound crisp and long, similar to the English 'ee' in 'see'.
Example Iglesia (ee-gleh-syah)
María memory Tip: "Imagine you're smiling widely and saying 'ee!' because you're happy. I for 'iglesia'—a place where people often go to find happiness and peace."
The students practiced smiling widely while saying "ee", followed by "iglesia", reinforcing the cheerful sound of the vowel.
O (oh)
"O is pronounced 'oh', like in the word 'oso'." She rounded her lips to demonstrate the proper mouth shape for the sound.
Example: Oso (oh-soh)
María memory Tip: "Think of the surprised 'oh!' you say when you see something unexpected. O for 'oso'—a bear that makes you say 'oh!' when you see it in the wild."
María had the students practice rounding their lips and saying "oh", then repeating "oso" together, capturing the sense of surprise.
U (oo)
"U is pronounced 'oo', like in the word 'uva'." María pursed her lips, showing the students the correct mouth position.
Example Uva (oo-vah)
María memory Tip: "Imagine you're blowing out a candle with a 'oo'. U for 'uva'—a grape that you might blow on to cool down before eating."
The students practiced pursing their lips and saying "oo", followed by "uva", linking the sound to the action of blowing out a candle.
María stood at the front of her small classroom, her students eagerly watching her every move. She knew that mastering the vowels was crucial for their understanding of Spanish pronunciation. With a warm smile, she prepared to make the lesson as engaging and memorable as possible.
"Today, we're going to focus on the vowels in Spanish," María began, her voice full of enthusiasm. "The vowels are the foundation of pronunciation, and once you master them, you'll find it much easier to speak Spanish correctly. The Spanish vowels are Ah, Eh, Ee, Oh, Oo. There is another way. Place the letter B in front of each vowel to make it sound as if you're telling a baby, bye, who's name happens to be Bo. Then you call him Boo. It should sound like, Bye Beh-bee Bo, Boo. Let's try it, using the vowel with the letter 'B' placed in front."
"Bah, Beh, Bee, Boh, Boo."
They all said in unison. "Now. once you've got it, remove the letter B and say the vowels."
.Ah, Eh, Ee, Oh, Oo.
She wrote the five vowels on the whiteboard in large, clear letters. Below each vowel, she added an Example word to illustrate its sound.
To ensure the lesson was memorable, María decided to create a catchy song using the vowels and their Example words. She picked up her guitar and strummed a cheerful tune, inviting the students to sing along.
(To the tune of "Se la di, se la di,")
"Ah is for amigo, ah, ah, ah,
Eh is for elefante, eh, eh, eh,
Ee is for iglesia, ee, ee, ee,
Oh is for oso, oh, oh, oh,
OO is for uva, oo, oo, oo,
Now we know our vowels like one, two, three!"
María repeated the song, encouraging the students to sing along. The combination of melody, rhythm, and repetition made the vowels stick in their minds. The students clapped and sang, their voices filling the room with a joyful energy.
Reinforcing the Lesson with Actions
María knew that engaging multiple senses would help solidify the lesson. She added simple actions to each vowel sound to create a multisensory learning experience.
A (ah): Open your mouth wide like at the dentist.
E (eh): Nod your head as if understanding something.
I (ee): Smile widely as if very happy.
O (oh): Make a surprised face.
U (oo): Pucker your lips as if blowing out a candle.
The students practiced these actions along with the sounds and the song, creating a full-body learning experience. The room was filled with laughter and enthusiasm as they embraced the playful yet educational activity.
María's creative and immersive approach to teaching the Spanish vowels left a lasting impression on her students. By combining clear pronunciation, vivid memory tips, a catchy song, and engaging actions, she ensured that the lesson was not only informative but also fun and memorable. Despite the chaos outside, within these walls, learning thrived, and María's dedication to education continued to shine with resilience.
Sound of the Spanish Vowels
Objective: Test recognition of the correct sounds.
Instructions:
- Choose the correct sound for each vowel given.
1. The A vowel makes the sound:
- a) Auh
- b) eh
- c) Ah
- d) ay
2. The E vowel makes the sound:
- a) Eh
- b) Ye
- c) Eay
- d) ei
3. The I vowel makes the sound:
- a) ee
- b) Ay
- c) Ata
- d) ah
4. The O vowel makes the sound:
- a) Oo
- b) Oh
- c) You
- d) U
5. The U vowel makes the sound:
- a) Ou
- b) Uve
- c) Oo
- d) uVa
These assignments will help the students familiarize themselves with the sounds of each Spanish letter, preparing them for the quiz.
The small, fortified classroom buzzed with the quiet sounds of anticipation. María Isabel Reyes García stood at the front of the room, ready to dive into another essential lesson. Today, she would focus on the distinct pronunciations of the Spanish consonants H and J. Her diverse group of students sat in a semicircle, their faces reflecting curiosity and eagerness to learn.
"Good morning, everyone," María began, her voice warm and encouraging. "Today, we're going to tackle the pronunciation of two important consonants in Spanish: H and J. Each has its own unique sound, or lack thereof, that we need to master. Let's start with the letter H."
She wrote the letter H on the whiteboard in large, clear letters, then added a few Example words below it.
"In Spanish, the letter H is always silent," María explained. "This might be a bit confusing if you're used to English, where H often has a distinct sound. But in Spanish, H doesn't make any sound at all."
She wrote the word "hola" (hello) on the whiteboard and pronounced it slowly and clearly: "Oh-lah."
"Everyone, repeat after me: 'hola'," María instructed, her eyes scanning the room to ensure everyone was following along.
The students echoed her, "Oh-lah."
"Excellent. Notice how the H is completely silent. Let's try a few more Examples."
She wrote "hombre" (man) and "helado" (ice cream) on the board.
"Repeat after me: 'hombre'," María said, pronouncing it as "Ohm-breh."
The students repeated, "Ohm-breh."
"Now, 'helado'," she continued, pronouncing it as "Eh-lah-doh."
The students repeated, "Eh-lah-doh."
María smiled, pleased with their progress. "Great job. Remember, in Spanish, H is always silent. Now let's move on to the letter J."
María drew a line under the previous Examples and focused on the letter J.
"The letter J in Spanish is pronounced as a guttural 'h' sound, similar to the 'h' in the English word 'hat', but deeper and more throaty," María explained. "Let's look at some Examples." She wrote "jugar" (to play) on the whiteboard and pronounced it slowly: "Hoo-gahr."
Interactive Exercise:
"Everyone, repeat after me: 'jugar'," María instructed, demonstrating the guttural 'h' sound.
The students echoed her, "Hoo-gahr."
"Great. Notice how the J sounds more like a breathy 'h'. Let's practice another word: 'jugo' (juice)." She wrote "jugo" on the board and pronounced it: "Hoo-goh."
The students repeated, "Hoo-goh."
María nodded approvingly. "Excellent. Now let's try the word 'jueves' (Thursday)."
She wrote "jueves" on the board and pronounced it: "Hweh-behs."
The students repeated, "Hweh-behs."
"Fantastic. Remember, in Spanish, J takes on this softer, guttural 'h' sound. Let's practice some more words to reinforce this."
María wrote two columns on the whiteboard, one labeled "H (silent)" and the other "J (guttural 'h')".
H (silent) Column:
Hola (hello) - "Oh-lah"
Hombre (man) - "Ohm-breh"
Helado (ice cream) - "Eh-lah-doh"
J (guttural 'h') Column:
Jugar (to play) - "Hoo-gahr"
Jugo (juice) - "Hoo-goh"
Jueves (Thursday) - "Hweh-behs"
"Let's practice these words together," María instructed. "We'll go through each column one word at a time."
She pointed to the first word in the H (silent) column. "Hola. Repeat after me: 'Hola'."
The students repeated in unison, "Hola."
"Good. Now, 'Hombre'."
"Hombre."
"Excellent. Now, 'Helado'."
"Helado."
María moved to the J (guttural 'h') column. "Jugar. Repeat after me: 'Jugar'."
"Jugar."
"Very good. Now, 'Jugo'."
"Jugo."
"And finally, 'Jueves'."
"Jueves."
María beamed at her students. "You all are doing fantastic. The key is to remember that H is always silent, and J sounds like a guttural 'h'."
Reinforcement Activity
To reinforce the lesson, María decided to engage the students in a practical activity. She handed out flashcards with various words starting with H and J, ensuring each student had a mix of both.
"Alright, everyone, let's practice with these flashcards. Take turns reading your words out loud and making sure you use the correct pronunciation based on whether it's an H or J."
The students paired up, and the room filled with the sounds of practicing and gentle corrections.
Jake: (Holding a card with "hombre") "Ohm-breh. This is pronounced with a silent H."
Marco: (Holding a card with "jugo") "Hoo-goh. This is pronounced with a guttural 'h'."
María walked around the room, listening and offering guidance where needed.
After a few rounds of the flashcard game, María called the class back together.
"You all did an amazing job today. Remember, in Spanish, H is always silent, and J is pronounced as a guttural 'h'. Practicing with these words will help you become more comfortable with the pronunciation. If you ever feel unsure, just think back to today's lesson and the Examples we went through."
María wrote a few more practice words on the board for homework and encouraged the students to practice with each other outside of class.
"Keep practicing, and soon this will become second nature to you. Well done, everyone!"
The students are all feeling more confident in their understanding of the Spanish consonant sounds. Despite the apocalyptic world outside, María's classroom remained a haven of learning and progress, where each lesson was a step toward mastery of the Spanish language.
"Alright, everyone, let's practice with these flashcards. Take turns reading your words out loud and making sure you use the correct pronunciation based on whether it's an H or J."
The students paired up, and the room filled with the sounds of practicing and gentle corrections.
Tatiana: (Holding a card with "hombre") "Ohm-breh. This is pronounced with a silent H."
Marco: (Holding a card with "jugo") "Hoo-goh. This is pronounced with a guttural 'h'."
María walked around the room, listening and offering guidance where needed.
After a few rounds of the flashcard game, María called the class back together.
"You all did an amazing job today. Remember, in Spanish, H is always silent, and J is pronounced as a guttural 'h'. Practicing with these words will help you become more comfortable with the pronunciation. If you ever feel unsure, just think back to today's lesson and the Examples we went through."
María wrote a few more practice words on the board for homework and encouraged the students to practice with each other outside of class.
"Keep practicing, and soon this will become second nature to you. Well done, everyone!"
The class ended on a high note, with the students feeling more confident in their understanding of the Spanish consonant sounds. Despite the apocalyptic world outside, María's classroom remained a haven of learning and progress, where each lesson was a step toward mastery of the Spanish language.
María began the day's lesson on the pronunciation of the Spanish letters H and J, focusing on the subtle differences that could make a big impact in understanding and speaking the language correctly.
Flashcard Activity
María distributed flashcards to the students, each card bearing a word starting with either H or J. The students paired up, ready to practice and learn from each other.
Jake: (Holding a card with "hombre") "Ohm-breh. This is pronounced with a silent H."
Samantha: (Holding a card with "jugo") "Joo-goh. This is pronounced with a hard 'J'."
Suddenly, an unexpected tension erupted.
Tatiana: (Slamming her fist on the desk) “Holy shit! How does she survive out there?” she blurted out in frustration.
Samantha: (Eyes turning cold, narrowing in on Tatiana) “I survived by killing anything that I disagree with.” She stared at Tatiana closely, before asking, “Do we have a problem?”
Señora María: “Okay, guys, that is enough.” She stepped onto the floor, ensuring the girls focused on their work rather than the conflict.
María continued to walk around the room, listening and offering guidance where needed. She helped correct pronunciations and encouraged the students to support each other.
Classroom Conflict: Tatiana and Samantha
The atmosphere in María's Spanish class was charged with the usual mix of tension and determination. The students were engaged in various exercises, practicing pronunciation and forming sentences with their vocabulary words. Tatiana and Mark were engaged in a quiet conversation at the back of the room.
"Do you know there are plenty of words in Spanish that are spelled the same or almost the same as in English?" Tatiana asked Mark, her tone surprisingly calm and informative.
Mark nodded, intrigued. "Yeah, I've noticed that. What's it called when words are the same in two or more languages?"
Tatiana paused, trying to recall the term. "I think it's called... Similarities!" Samantha suddenly blurted out, her voice full of misplaced confidence.
Tatiana turned to Samantha, shaking her head in frustration. "Why are you so dumb?" she frowned.
"Whoa, wait a minute!" María interjected, stepping in to diffuse the situation. "We're not doing that in here, Tiana."
Tatiana turned to María, her frown deepening. "Look, bitch, you're taking this teacher shit way too seriously. You're just our age and only know Spanish. So teach Spanish or shut the fuck up, okay?"
Before Tatiana could process what was happening, she felt a sharp, painful grip on her hair. Samantha had lunged at her, grabbing a handful of hair with one hand and delivering a series of quick, forceful punches with the other. The classroom erupted in chaos.
"No!" María shouted, rushing to the scene. "Samantha, let her go!"
It took Mark, Jake, and Marco to finally pull Samantha off Tatiana. Samantha stood panting, still seething with rage, while the boys restrained her. Tatiana lay on the floor, bleeding and dazed.
"Looks like you need a hospital, bitch," Samantha spat, looking down at Tatiana. "Hospital is the same in Spanish and English. It's a Similarity Word, bitch."
María's face was a mix of shock and disappointment. She knelt beside Tatiana, checking her injuries and trying to offer some comfort. "Everyone, calm down. This is not how we handle things."
She looked around the room, making eye contact with each student. "This class is a safe space for learning and growth. We will not tolerate violence or disrespect. Everyone, take a deep breath and let's refocus."
The students slowly began to calm down, the tension in the room easing slightly. María helped Tatiana to her feet and led her to a chair, checking her injuries more thoroughly. "We'll get you to the infirmary," she said softly.
Turning to the rest of the class, María continued, "The term you were looking for, Tatiana, is 'cognates.' Cognates are words that are similar in two or more languages. Hospital is an Example of a cognate."
"Really, María? Do you really think I give a fuck about a damn, cognate?"
María, paused, taking a deep breath. "Let's remember why we're here. We're here to learn and support each other, not to tear each other down. Samantha, you'll need to come with me after class. We need to talk about this."
The room was silent, the weight of the recent events hanging in the air. But María's words slowly began to sink in, reminding everyone of the importance of respect and understanding, even in the harshest of times.
As the class resumed, the students tried to focus on their work, the lesson on cognates taking on a deeper meaning. Despite the chaos and violence outside, María's classroom remained a place of learning and growth, where each lesson was a step toward mastery of the Spanish language and a deeper understanding of each other.
Marco looked over and noticed Tatiana staring at Samantha. "Psss. Hey." Marco called for Tatiana's attention. "When we leave, don't try to fight her. If she whipped your ass in Spanish class and again on American soil, she can turn you into a Similarity."
"Come on?" Jake begged. "For god sake, it's a cognate. Tatiana just sacrificed her life for the name of that word. We can call it what it is."
After several rounds of the flashcard game, María gathered the class together.
"You all did an amazing job today. Remember, in Spanish, H is always silent, and J is pronounced as a guttural 'h'. Practicing with these words will help you become more comfortable with the pronunciation. If you ever feel unsure, just think back to today's lesson and the examples we went through."
María wrote a few more practice words on the board for homework, encouraging the students to continue practicing with each other outside of class:H:
H:
Helado: eh-lah-doh (ice cream)
Hospital: ohs-pee-tal (hospital). María looked at Samantha as she said, "A cognate word. Spelled the same in two or more languages".
Huevo: weh-voh (egg)
J:
Jardín: har-deen (garden)
Jirafa: hee-rah-fah (giraffe)
Jabón: hah-bohn (soap)
"Keep practicing, and soon this will become second nature to you. Well done, everyone!"
Coming soon!
Anayveace Twine provides readers with a whole new way of storytelling. Here you will be able to really gain a bond with each character. We give the readers the oppertunity to choose which character(s) they favor most and dive head first into the story, from the chosen character's point of view.