Spanish

Tarea para nuestra próxima clase el sábado 29 de marzo (Homework for our next class on Saturday 29 of March)

20/3/2025

Hola queridos estudiantes!!

Espero que estén muy bien y estén teniendo una excelente semana.

1. Bring 5 words in Spanish related to a hobby of yours. Please make one piece of paper (flashcard) for each word. No English in it.

2. Review the alphabet in Spanish.

3. Practice the questions:
Cómo estas?
Cómo te llamas?
Dé donde eres?
A qué te dedicas?
Cuántos años tienes?
Cuál es tu pasatiempo favorito?

I will see you on March 29th since this weekend I´ll be in Melbourne.

Nos vemos pronto

El profe Alejo

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Coming up on Saturday, pronunciation, a dictate and your question to the group about Spanish...

13/3/2025

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Hola queridos estudiantes,

For Saturday 15 March, please:

Watch the videos from the first two classes focused on pronunciation: https://u3abenalla.weebly.com/spanish/previous/2
Prepare your ears for a dictate.
Prepare a question about Spanish for us to find the answer during the session.

Nos vemos el sábado!

El profe Alejo

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'Desde la Pizarro' ('From the Whiteboard)

8/3/2025

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"Let's keep the energy flowing..."

6/3/2025

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"Hola queridos estudiantes,

Last class was such a great class, let´s keep the energy flowing.

What´s coming this Saturday?

Send an email back to me stating what you learnt in class. Most of you have already done this, thank you for your proactivity.
Practice the questions from last week: Cómo estás? De dónde eres? Cuántos años tienes? a qué te dedicas?
Think of a character (real or fictional) and ask them the questions above. Bring your answers to work in groups.
Prepare a question about Spanish for us to find the answer during the session.
We will continue with this activity https://www.profedeele.es/actividad/vocabulario-partes-de-la-casa/

Nos vemos el sábado!

El profe Alejo"

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''...un salón lleno de gente divertida y llena de energía..."

2/3/2025

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What a pleasant surprise to arrive at a room full of fun and energetic people with lots of curiosity for both Spanish and my country, Columbia.

It is a challenge to teach such a large group, however I see that the energy is also greater, inspiring me to make the class more enticing for a diverse audience. Today, for example, we learned about each other’s professions – engineers, teachers, medical scientists, secretaries, paramedics, farmers, and more - but of course, todos retirados!

It’s going to be a very interesting year; one I’m looking forward to.

Alejandro

En Español ...

¡Qué agradable sorpresa llegar a un salón lleno de gente divertida y llena de energía, con mucha curiosidad tanto por el español como por mi país, Colombia!

Es un desafío dar clases a un grupo tan grande, sin embargo, veo que la energía también es mayor, lo que me inspira a hacer que la clase sea más atractiva para una audiencia diversa. Hoy, por ejemplo, aprendimos sobre las profesiones de cada uno: ingenieros, maestros, científicos médicos, secretarias, paramédicos, agricultores y más, pero, por supuesto, ¡todos retirados!

Va a ser un año muy interesante; uno que espero con ansias.

Alejandro

Alejo's report for the U3A Benalla March Newsletter ... in English and also in Spanish, courtesy of Google Translate. B

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'Desde la Pizarro' ('From the Whiteboard)

1/3/2025

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Photograph - Graeme Greed

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"Tarea para nuestra próxima clase del sábado 1 de marzo a las 12 del mediodía..." ("Homework for our next class on Saturday 1st March at 12 noon")

20/2/2025

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Hola queridos estudiantes,

Thank you all for your great energy and motivation.

As discussed in class, please:

1. Send an email back to me stating what you learnt in class.

2. Complete activities 1 and 2 (juego de memoria and sopa de letras) and prepare your ears for a dictate with this vocabulary.

https://www.profedeele.es/actividad/vocabulario-partes-de-la-casa/

3. We will also be reviewing the introductory questions: Hola, ¿cómo estás?, ¿cómo te llamas?

4. Prepare a question about Spanish for us to find the answer during the session

The class for February 22nd won't be happening since I will be in Melbourne.

Next class is due on the 1st of March.

Saludos!

El profe Alejo

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"Desde la Pizarra" ("From the Whiteboard")

11/2/2025

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Plus the first group photo of this year's group...

Thanks to Graeme Greed for sending these photos for the website!

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Feliz año nuevo! Our new schedule and starting date for 2025...

27/1/2025

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Hola queridos estudiantes,

I am not sure if you all are in the loop for the beginning of lessons this year and the new schedule.

Classes will be held from 12:00 to 2 pm with a 15 min break as usual (we can bring lunch). We are meant to start on Saturday the 1st of February, however this is the day we have chosen to celebrate Lorenzo's birthday, so we'll need to push the first class to the 8th of February.

Please watch this video before the class:

I am very much looking forward to seeing you all again and learn together from each other.

Please, for those of you who would like to be taken off the mailing list, do let me know.

Feliz año nuevo!

Nos vemos

El profe Alejo

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Feliz Navidad a todos! Cuban Sandwiches at The Merchant!

23/12/2024

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'A friendly reminder - our last two sessions this year'

5/12/2024

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Hola queridos estudiantes!

A friendly reminder that we have two sessions left for this year.

This Saturday we will be exploring more vocab, this time related to the daily routine. Please relate to this link https://www.profedeele.es/actividad/un-dia-normal-de-mr-bean/

Here's the first video on the resource to get you into the mood!

Our last session will be on the 14th, this session will be more of a get together at the merchant and will be held from 10:30 till 12:00. I´ve talked to the chef and he´s happy to make a special order of cuban sandwiches for us. In order to make it happen, I´ll need confirmation of those attending so that they can plan for the ingredients and the booking. Please confirm before Monday the 9th December.

Thank you!

El profe Alejo

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'Cognados palabras iguales en ingles y espanol'

4/12/2024

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***Here's a link to an excellent follow up resource from Alejo-
https://aprendeconadela.com/cognados-palabras-iguales-en-ingles-y-espanol/ ***

Here are Graeme's photographs for review of Vocabulary.... Thank you Graeme!

'A follow up search on You Tube - 'spanish words equal in english for beginners' included the following....

Finally - a reminder of the homework Alejo set...

Prepare three questions to ask your fellow students? They need to be in Spanish - and you have to have an answer yourself. They can't be greetings such as 'How are you?'

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November... "The group is growing stronger"

27/11/2024

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Even though consistency has been a bit of a challenge, I’m feeling great about how our group is coming together. We’ve welcomed some new faces recently, and the group is growing stronger—not just in skills, but in laughter and camaraderie.

A big shoutout to the students who face challenges head-on and keep trying—you inspire us all! And kudos to the more advanced learners who are always willing to slow down and lend a hand to their classmates. It’s moments like these that remind me Spanish is just an excuse for all of us to spend quality time together.

That said, we’ve made real progress: pronunciation is improving, conjugation has become a hot topic of discussion, and while vocabulary remains tricky, we’re tackling it together. We’re also exploring some new tech tools to make learning vocabulary easier and more fun.

One of my favorite moments recently was playing a song and having everyone sing along—it was such a joyful experience! It motivates me to try more creative activities with this wonderful group of people who I’ve grown so fond of.

I’m feeling very optimistic about what we’re building here. Thank you all for your incredible energy and enthusiasm—you make this journey so rewarding!

Alejo Diaz

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Learning to use Anki ...Whiteboard phrases for flash cards

24/11/2024

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Algunos recursos de la clase del sábado 16 de noviembre ...

17/11/2024

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Conversación

Here is the link to a Spotify greetings song recommended by Alejo:

'Hola, Hola Como Estas?'

If you can't access this on Spotify, here's a version from YouTube....

This version also introduces a number of verbs....
Esta versión también introduce una serie de verbos.

Hola hola hola ¿Cómo estás?
Yo muy bien y tu ¿Que tal?
Hola hola hola ¿Cómo estás?

Vamos a Aplaudir (to Applaud)
Vamos a Saltar (to Jump)
Vamos a Silvar (to Whistle)
Vamos a Cantar (to Sing)
Vamos a Saludar (to Wave)
Vamos a Chasquear (to Click Fingers)

(Last line - 'ven, ven que esta dia va a comenzar' - translation is 'Come, Come this day is going to begin'.)

During conversation it appeared that three people celebrated their birthday this month, a great lead in to singing 'Happy Birthday to you!' - in Spanish of course.

Here is the link to a Spotify birthday greetings song recommended by Alejo:
- 'Cumpleaños Feliz Para Ti'

If you can't access this on Spotify, here's a version from YouTube....

This version introduces additional verses with useful vocabulary associated with birthday greetings and festivities.

This video on YouTube has been watched 115,000 times... so has form!

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'Our vocabulary is expanding - including for numbers over 1000'

30/10/2024

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Learning to count in numbers over one thousand during October involved discovering the cost of an item on the menu of a local restaurant in Spanish in both Australian dollars and Columbian pesos Would you like to know the price of Vegetarian Arancini at Zeus in Columbian pesos? Just ask me! Or the Spanish word for classroom items such as ‘printer’– just look at the sticky note on the photocopier in Classroom 1!

Our vocabulary is expanding, and we are learning to conjugate an increasing number of verbs as the weeks pass by. Thank you, Alejo, for your attention to our pronunciation and for challenging us each week, while at the same time making the learning experience such an enjoyable one.

We are having a break on Melbourne Cup Weekend, with our next session on Saturday 9th November (so have an extra week to complete our homework!)

Bev Lee

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"Tarea asignada para el sábado 26 de octubre" (Homework set by Alejo on Saturday 26 of October)

28/10/2024

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"Homework set on Saturday 26 of October"

For the list of words from dictation on Saturday:

separate the syllables
Underline the syllable that is stressed

For example

Ca/be/za
Cuer/po

Words from dictation -

cabeza ca/be/za
corazón
cuerpo cuer/po
cerveza
cine
zapato
zorro
karate
quinoa
Jamaica
José
jugar
Galicia
gol
guapo
gitano
guerra
guitarra
reír
cantar
pero
para
perro
Mallorca
tortilla
paella
yo
palazo
Paraguay
Uruguay
hotel
hospital
coche
carro
España
castaño

Homework related to Projects - (vocabulary etc related to a hobby, interest, passion)

Think of five actions / verbs related to your project.
Connect each one to nouns.

Example:

Ballroom Dancing -
to dance - bailar - salsa, tango, etc...
to waltz
etc...

Aviation -
to fly -
to land -
to arrive -
to leave -
to board -

Travel -
to travel -
to plan - ....................
to purchase - comprar - tarjetas de avion
etc...

Bev's effort...
Computers - Computadoras

to download - descargar - un documento, un archivo, una imagen, un vídeo, música Example: (Yo) Descargo un documento.
to upload - cargar - cargar - un documento, un archivo, una imagen, un vídeo, música. Example: (Yo) Cargo una imagen (Alternative? subir / yo subo)
to save - guardar - un documento, un artículo, una imagen, un vídeo, música. Example: (Yo) Guardo un artículo.
to cut - cortar - una palabra, una frase, un párrafo, una imagen, un artículo. Example: (Yo) Corto un párrafo)
to copy - copiar - una palabra, una frase, un párrafo, una imagen, un artículo. Example: (Yo) Copio una frase.

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'Nos vemos el Sabado!'

18/10/2024

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Hola queridos estudiantes!

Espero que estén muy bien!

These are the activities for tomorrow´s lesson:

1. In your sticky notes let´s write the details of your local menu like this:

Front side (In English):
Name of the place
Item
Price in AUD
Price in COP

Back Side (In Spanish):
Name of the place
Item
Price in AUD
Price in COP

Please allow for some extra space so we can write a few notes on them during class.

2. Another sticky note for the responses of the questions:

Hola! ¿cómo te llamas? (what´s your name?)
- Hola! me llamo <insert name>

¿Cuántos años tienes? (How old are you?)
- tengo <insert number> años

¿De dónde eres? (Where are you from?)
- Soy de <insert place>

- ¿Cuál es tu color favorito? (What is your favourite colour?)
- Mi color favorito es el <insert color>

For example:
Front side:
Me llamo Alejo
Tengo 33 años
Soy de Colombia
Mi color favorito es el rojo.

3. Prepare your ears for a dictate. I will be reading words out loud for you to write in your notebook!

Nos vemos el sábado!

El profe Alejo

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Numbers over a hundred and over a thousand....

11/10/2024

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Our homework and classwork for Saturday 12 October involved pronouncing numbers over 1000!...

Look for 2 items you like from a local menu.

Get the price.
Translate the items.
Use the exchange rate to colombian pesos.Example 1 AUD=2700 COP (Colombian Pesos)

Example: El café negro en "the merchant" cuesta 4 dolares. El café negro en "the merchant" cuesta 10800 pesos.

Alejo takes us from cien, to mil, and more....

Photographs - Graeme Greed

Here are some resource/son translating and pronouncing numbers over a thousand. They are in no particular order, you've almost certainly found some yourself you'd like to recommend...and Alejo will have some others...

https://spanish.kwiziq.com/revision/grammar/numbers-from-1000-to-100001

https:/spanish411.net/Spanish-Number-Translator.asp

Finally, a highly valued book recommendation from Pamela ....

... Bev

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"Nos tomamos un fin de semana festivo... (We are taking a public holiday weekend!) ...Nos vemos el sábado 5 de octubre"

25/9/2024

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Hola queridos estudiantes!

Espero que estén muy bien!

Since this weekend is a long weekend, I have decided to take the day off and give you guys a break from the classes as well. That said, here are the notes for the session on the 5th of October:

Saludos/greetings:
- Hola! buenos dias!
- Buenos dias! Cómo vas?
- Bien y tú?
- Bien!
- Me alegra!

1. Vocabulary Sticky notes:
Please each of you bring 2 sticky notes to put in the room and practice or vocabulary.

Bev: Televisor, Impresora
Terry: Ventana, Cortina
Christine: Silla, Mesa
Margaret: Tablero, Libro
Judith: Reloj, Taza
Graeme: Extintor, pintura
Robert: Control remoto, parlante
Greg: Puerta, Escritorio
John: Pared, Manija.
Trevor: Proyector, conexión eléctrica

2. Conjugate for "yo" and "tú". Example: Hablar: Yo hablo, tu hablas.
Preparar
Elevar
Aprender
Trabajar
Cantar
Enseñar.

3. Look for 2 items you like from a local menu.

Get the price.
Translate the items.
Use the exchange rate to colombian pesos.Example 1 AUD=2700 COP (Colombian Pesos)

Example: El café negro en "the merchant" cuesta 4 dolares. El café negro en "the merchant" cuesta 10800 pesos.

Link for the video I showed you last class:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54prMaPn5Ls

Nos vemos el sábado 5 de octubre!

El profe Alejo

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Notas para nuestra próxima sesión el 20 Septiembre

19/9/2024

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Hola queridos estudiantes!

Notas para nuestra próxima sesión:

Saludos/greetings:
- Hola! buenos dias!
- Buenos dias! Cómo vas?
- Bien y tú?
- Bien!
- Me alegra!

1. Pronombres personales
Yo, tú, ella, el, nosotros, ellos
https://www.profedeele.es/actividad/pronombres-personales/

2. Basic conjugation:
https://www.youtube.com/watchv=mw_b3ho0sbA&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.profedeele.es%2F&source_ve_path=MjM4NTE

We will take a break from Numbers for this week and resume on the next one.

We will have Jhon come and help us during the class.

Nos vemos el sábado!

El profe Alejo

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Coming up - Practice with Numbers; Personal Pronouns and Basic Conjugation

11/9/2024

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Hola a todos!

Espero que estén bien.

Happy to see your progress and eagerness to improve each class

Notes for next session:

- Hola! buenos dias!
- Buenos dias! Cómo vas?
- Bien y tú?
- Bien!
- Me alegra!

1. Practice with numbers.

A) Cuánto cuesta?
Cuesta xxx dólares!

B) Cuantos años tienes?
Tengo xx años

C) Cuál es tu número de teléfono?
Mi número es xxxxxx

D) Que hora es?
Son las xxxx
Es la 1 y xxx

E) Que tan lejos está xxxx?
Melbourne está a xxxxx kilómetros
Melbourne está a 2 horas

2. Pronombres personales
Yo, tú, ella, el, nosotros, ellos

3. Basic conjugation:

Nos vemos en clase!

Alejo

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"Hola! buenos dias!"

6/9/2024

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Hola estudiantes!

Cómo están?

Please keep this information as reference for the week.

Greetings

- Hola! buenos dias!

- Buenos dias! Cómo vas?

- Bien y tú?

- Bien!

- Me alegra!

Spelling

Review of the days of the week.

Review of the numbers

10,20,30,40,50,60,70,80,90
11,12,13,14,5,16,17,18,19.

Basic conjugation: Presente regular en espanol - Spanish Regular Verbs in Present Tenseanish Regular Verbs in Present Tense

Nos vemos en clase!

Alejo

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'Thank you, Alejandro, for spending Saturday mornings with us'

5/9/2024

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The Spanish alphabet, numbers, counting, telling the time, pronunciation - our weekly journey with our teacher, Alejandro Diaz, began in early July. We’ve enjoyed dramatizing the verbs as we've used them–-smiling, greeting, eating, reading and more. We’ve exchanged our phone numbers in Spanish then read them back to our paired classmate (hopefully correctly); we’ve spelled out our names in Spanish.

The activities devised by Alejandro make the sessions pass very quickly. Sometimes when asked a question we find ourselves ‘going blank’, however we usually manage to respond with Alejandro’s help.

Thank you, Alejandro, for designing such interesting lessons and spending your Saturday mornings with us!

Bev Lee

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Practice days of week (and later the months) - videos...

31/8/2024

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Focus on the days of the week, but keep in mind that the months are also included.
Hint: Don't forget you can slow down the playback speed by going into settings - recommended particularly for the Basho & Friends video when you first use it.

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Spanish

'Spanish Saturdays with a Columbian Twist!'
Always wanted to try Spanish, or brush up on what you learned years ago? Now's the time!

Join us for a fun and relaxed Spanish course designed for seniors who are eager to learn or refresh their Spanish skills!

Whether you're an absolute beginner or have some previous experience, this course welcomes everyone. Together, we'll explore the rich culture of Columbia through Interactive activities, music, videos, and even a taste of its cuisine and traditions.

From the very first day, you'll be speaking Spanish in a supportive environment (even if it's just 'Hola' and 'Gracias' to start), where having fun is the ultimate goal. Along the way, we'll stimulate our minds, build new connections, and share memorable moments. So come ready to chat, sing, and experience the joy of learning Spanish, Columbian style!

Time/Venue

Saturday
12 to 2 pm
U3A Room 1

Convenor and contact details

Alejandro Diaz
0459 347 559

Tarea para nuestra próxima clase el sábado 29 de marzo (Homework for our next class on Saturday 29 of March)

Coming up on Saturday, pronunciation, a dictate and your question to the group about Spanish...

'Desde la Pizarro' ('From the Whiteboard)

"Let's keep the energy flowing..."

''...un salón lleno de gente divertida y llena de energía..."

'Desde la Pizarro' ('From the Whiteboard)

"Tarea para nuestra próxima clase del sábado 1 de marzo a las 12 del mediodía..." ("Homework for our next class on Saturday 1st March at 12 noon")

"Desde la Pizarra" ("From the Whiteboard")

Feliz año nuevo! Our new schedule and starting date for 2025...

Feliz Navidad a todos! Cuban Sandwiches at The Merchant!

'A friendly reminder - our last two sessions this year'

'Cognados palabras iguales en ingles y espanol'

November... "The group is growing stronger"

Learning to use Anki ...Whiteboard phrases for flash cards

Algunos recursos de la clase del sábado 16 de noviembre ...

Conversación

'Our vocabulary is expanding - including for numbers over 1000'

"Tarea asignada para el sábado 26 de octubre" (Homework set by Alejo on Saturday 26 of October)

'Nos vemos el Sabado!'

Numbers over a hundred and over a thousand....

"Nos tomamos un fin de semana festivo... (We are taking a public holiday weekend!) ...Nos vemos el sábado 5 de octubre"

Notas para nuestra próxima sesión el 20 Septiembre

Coming up - Practice with Numbers; Personal Pronouns and Basic Conjugation

"Hola! buenos dias!"

'Thank you, Alejandro, for spending Saturday mornings with us'

Practice days of week (and later the months) - videos...

Spanish

Time/Venue

Convenor and contact details

Categories

Archives

​Conversación

Time/Venue

Convenor and contact details

Categories

Archives

Conversación