U3A Benalla and District Inc.
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'Better Late Than Never' Graeme -- Photos from 28 June session

11/7/2025

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Lots to review here!
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Thanks for the photos, Graeme!

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A whiteboard photo to triggers your memories of session!

5/7/2025

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Alejo caught with his eyes closed!  Thank you Graeme for the photo.  
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'Para la sesion de este sabado...'

3/7/2025

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Hola queridos estudiantes,

Para la sesion de este sabado:

1. Finish the postcard that we started. For those of you who didn´t have the chance to come last class, you can print it out and we can complete this activity together.

2. Go to this link and review the first video and the infographic. Also complete activities 1 and 2.

Nos vemos en clase, Only two more to go! :(

El profe Alejo
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'Classes on July 5 and July 26 end our one year cycle'

29/6/2025

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A reminder of the plan for the classes ahead until the end of the one year cycle presented by Alejo:
July 5 - Class
July 12 - No Class
July 19 - No Class
July 26 - Last Class

Alejo actually began teaching the group on July 6 last year, so it's a little more than a year.  Thank you so much, Alejo!

Also, a reminder to check your emails for homework tasks from Alejo and to check out the website for both homework task news and whiteboard summaries.
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More news next month.
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"We do have class tomorrow and as a little homework..."

27/6/2025

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Hola queridos estudiantes,

Apologies for the late message.

We do have class tomorrow and as a little homework. 

1. Print out the attached postcard template.
2. Review the preterite-regular conjugations: https://conjuguemos.com/tenses/spanish/

Nos vemos mañana!
​

El profe Alejo

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"La clase de hoy fue muy productiva..."

14/6/2025

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La clase de hoy fue muy productiva, vamos a aprovechar mucho el tiempo que nos queda para aprender mucho.

Tarea para la próxima semana:
1. Review the conjugations by practicing:
a) https://conjuguemos.com/grammar/homework/222

b) https://conjuguemos.com/grammar/homework/223

2. Next week we will practice emotions:
a) please read the explanations before the activities, this is for review only, no need to complete any activities.
https://www.profedeele.es/actividad/emociones-sensaciones-fisicas/

b) Complete activities 1 and 2. The video is an interactive video, please be patient.
https://www.profedeele.es/actividad/vuela-corto-vocabulario-emociones/

If you´re feeling lucky and risky here´s a bonus activity:
Bonus: https://conjuguemos.com/tube/accents/9/65/quiz

Nos vemos la próxima semana,

El profe Alejo
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Update - No class on public holiday weekend, plan for upcoming classes and homework to prepare for next class on June 14...

6/6/2025

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Hola queridos estudiantes,

Gracias por su asistencia la semana pasada.

Here is the plan for the classes ahead until the end of our one year cycle:
June 7- No Class
June 14 - Class
June 21 - Class
June 28 - Class
July 5 - Class
July 12 - No Class
July 19 - No Class
July 26 - Last Class

Please remember, there´s no class tomorrow. Apologies for the late notice.

Homework:
​

1. Go to the link and complete activities 1,3,4 and 5.

https://www.profedeele.es/actividad/verbo-presente-irregular/ 


2. Please write a text with your saturday routine using verbs like: 
Despertarse, ducharse, desayunar, caminar, leer, estudiar, almorzar, dormir.

Gracias! nos vemos el 14 de Junio.

El profe Alejo
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Slide show -  Class on Saturday 31 May 2025

5/6/2025

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Click on the thumbnails below to review the session at your own speed...
Photographs - Thank you, Graeme Greed
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¡Ha sido todo un año! ... Los voy a extrañar ...

2/6/2025

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​Como algunos de ustedes saben, terminaremos nuestro curso en julio. ¡Ha sido todo un año! Muchas experiencias, lecciones, risas y, como es de esperarse al aprender algo nuevo, algunas frustraciones en el camino.

Estoy muy agradecido de haberlos conocido a todos y los valoro muchísimo. He aprendido más de ustedes de lo que imaginan y los respeto profundamente por intentarlo una y otra vez.

Durante el último año aprendimos mucho: conjugación, números, pronunciación, comprensión lectora, comprensión auditiva, algo de gramática aburrida. Aprendimos a tener paciencia entre nosotros, especialmente con su profesor estricto, pero lo más importante, aprendimos a disfrutar el proceso.

Estoy orgulloso de las historias de éxito personal que me han compartido. Estoy seguro de que todos ustedes seguirán aprendiendo. Los voy a extrañar.
​
Alejandro

It has been quite a year!  I will miss you ...

As some of you know, we’ll be finishing our course in July.  It has been quite a year! Many experiences, lessons, laughter and, as expected when learning something new, some frustrations along the way. 

I am so grateful I got to meet you all, and I appreciate you so much.  I’ve learnt more from you than you think and respect you deeply for trying over and over. 

During the past year we learnt so much - conjugation, numbers, pronunciation, reading comprehension, listening, some boring grammar.  We learnt to be patient with each other, especially with your strict teacher, but most importantly, we learnt to enjoy the process. 

I am proud of the personal success stories you’ve shared with me, I’m sure you all will continue to learn.  I will miss you.

​Alejandro
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'La tarea para nuestra próxima clase incluye leer un artículo sobre energía solar'

26/5/2025

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Hola queridos estudiantes!

La ultima clase hablamos sobre lo que hicimos durante la semana.

​Tambien escuchamos este texto sobre la energía eólica https://hablacultura.com/cultura-textos-aprender-espanol/debates/la-energia-eolica/
También revisamos las tareas que teniamos del sitio web.

Para la proxima clase:
1. Please review the conjugations for the stem changing verbs in present https://conjuguemos.com/tenses/spanish/ 
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​2.     Let´s read the article about solar energy https://hablacultura.com/energia-solar/

Nos vemos en clase!!

El profe Alejo
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"Gracias por la buena energía del día de hoy"

17/5/2025

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Hola queridos estudiantes,

gracias por la buena energía del día de hoy.

Hoy hablamos sobre lo que hicimos durante la semana y aprendimos algo de vocabulario:

Impuestos, pagos, galería de arte, biopsia, valvula mitral, llamar, ir de vacaciones, etc.

Tambien hicimos una tabla con las raices de las palabras y como un sustantivo puede convertirse en diferentes formas verbales, infinitivo, presente, pretérito, gerundio, participio (como adjetivo).

Para la próxima clase, vamos a continuar practicando conjugaciones: https://www.profedeele.es/actividad/presente-regular/
Please complete activities 6 and 11 and print activity number 9.

Nos vemos el sábado,

El profe Alejo
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'Para la la próxima clase...'

16/5/2025

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Hola queridos estudiantes,

En la última clase vimos un par de videos (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJYoqCDKoT4&pp=0gcJCdgAo7VqN5tD) y practicamos conjugaciones con el juego de battleship. También hicimos un ejercicio de escucha (https://conjuguemos.com/tube/accents/8/57/transcript).

Para la próxima clase:
  1. https://conjuguemos.com/activities/spanish/grammar/1 go to the link and complete the 3 exercises for adjectives and nouns.
  2. Keep playing battleship to practice the conjugations https://conjuguemos.com/verb/battleship/133

A friendly reminder that sadly Spanish Lessons will be finishing the last week of July so try to make the most of it.

Nos vemos el sábado
El profe Alejo
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"Preparándose para la clase del sábado 10 de mayo"

9/5/2025

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Hola queridos estudiantes,

En la última clase practicamos conjugacion para yo y tu y la estructura de la oración para preguntas y respuestas.

Para la próxima clase:

1.  https://conjuguemos.com/tenses/spanish/ understand the basic conjugations in present regular. 

2. Play games to practice. I recommend battleship! and Galapago! go!. 

Please see the attachments to your email.

Nos vemo el sábado

El profe Alejo
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May - Newsletter report Spanish (... with translation!)

9/5/2025

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¡Somos muy afortunados de tener a Alejandro Díaz como coordinador de la clase de español!

Con una familia joven y trabajando a tiempo completo, ¡su vida está muy ocupada! Aun así, de alguna manera logra dedicar tiempo los sábados para impartir nuestra clase como una forma de contribuir a la comunidad.

Para seguir el progreso de la clase de español, simplemente visita la página de ‘Español’ en el sitio web.

Allí encontrarás los correos semanales de Alejo recordando la tarea para la semana siguiente, junto con enlaces a recursos, fotografías de la clase en acción y la pizarra con los conceptos abordados.

¡La conjugación de verbos es el enfoque actual!

​We are so fortunate to have Alejandro Diaz as the convenor of the Spanish class. 

With a young family and working full time, his life is very busy! Somehow, he manages to fit in taking our class on Saturdays as a way of contributing to the community.  

To follow the progress of the Spanish class, simply go to the ‘Spanish’ page on the web site. 

Alejo’s email reminders to class each week of homework for the following week can be found there, along with links to resources, photographs of the class in action and the whiteboard showing concepts covered.  

​Conjugating verbs is a current focus!  

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'La clase de tarea de Alejo para el sábado 3 de mayo ...'

28/4/2025

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"Hola queridos estudiantes,

En la última clase practicamos diferentes temas, como conjugación, vocabulario de lugares en Benalla y vocabulario de acciones habituales incluyendo adverbios de frecuencia.

Para la próxima clase:

1. Write 3 different questions with ¨cada cuanto + action¨ (how often) for your classmates.
2. Go to https://conjuguemos.com/tenses/spanish/ go to INDICATIVO, and explore all the options for conjugation. Read as much as you like and bring questions if needed. 

Nos vemo el sábado
El profe Alejo"
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"Recordatorio amistoso, no hay clases el 20 de abril."

17/4/2025

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"Hola queridos estudiantes,

Friendly reminder, there NO CLASS on 20th april. Nos vemos el 27 de abril.

The only homework is the one from last class that we could not review:

https://www.profedeele.es/actividad/acciones-habituales/ Hacer actividad número 4. (6 ejercicios)

Nos vemos!

El profe Alejo"
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"Clase de español 12 de abril - estaremos hablando de hobbies"

9/4/2025

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Hola queridos estudiantes,

Gracias por la clase tan chévere esta semana.

Para la próxima semana estaremos hablando de hobbies.

Tarea: 
1. Escribir una oración en las flashcards con cada palabra que tenemos.

2. Practicar las preguntas 
Cómo estas?
Cómo te llamas?
Dé donde eres?
A qué te dedicas? 
Cuántos años tienes?
Cuál es tu pasatiempo favorito?

3. 
https://www.profedeele.es/actividad/acciones-habituales/ Hacer actividad número 4. (6 ejercicios)

Nos vemos el sábado!

El profe Alejo
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'Los adverbios de frecuencia en espaniol'

5/4/2025

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Thanks Graeme for this photo reminder of class on Saturday 5 April!
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Tarea para nuestra próxima clase el sábado 29 de marzo (Homework for our next class on Saturday 29 of March)

20/3/2025

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​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:
  1. Watch the videos from the first two classes focused on pronunciation: https://u3abenalla.weebly.com/spanish/previous/2
  2. Prepare your ears for a dictate.
  3. 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.
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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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<<Previous

    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

    Picture
    Alejandro Diaz
    ​0459 347 559

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    accessed 6 July 2024
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