Learning Resources
This curriculum includes comprehensive resources for all aspects of language learning. Use these resources to supplement your daily practice sessions and deepen your understanding of Spanish language and culture.
Grammar Resources
Master the key grammar concepts for B1-B2 level Spanish with these structured resources.
B1 Level Grammar Topics
Present Tense (Regular and Irregular)
The present tense in Spanish is used to talk about habitual actions, general truths, and current states.
Regular Verbs
- -ar verbs: hablar (to speak) → hablo, hablas, habla, hablamos, habláis, hablan
- -er verbs: comer (to eat) → como, comes, come, comemos, coméis, comen
- -ir verbs: vivir (to live) → vivo, vives, vive, vivimos, vivís, viven
Common Irregular Verbs
- ser (to be): soy, eres, es, somos, sois, son
- estar (to be): estoy, estás, está, estamos, estáis, están
- ir (to go): voy, vas, va, vamos, vais, van
- tener (to have): tengo, tienes, tiene, tenemos, tenéis, tienen
- hacer (to do/make): hago, haces, hace, hacemos, hacéis, hacen
Past Tenses (Preterite and Imperfect)
Spanish has two main past tenses: the preterite (for completed actions) and the imperfect (for ongoing or habitual past actions).
Preterite
- -ar verbs: hablar → hablé, hablaste, habló, hablamos, hablasteis, hablaron
- -er/-ir verbs: comer/vivir → comí/viví, comiste/viviste, comió/vivió, comimos/vivimos, comisteis/vivisteis, comieron/vivieron
- Irregular verbs: ser/ir, estar, tener, hacer, etc.
Imperfect
- -ar verbs: hablar → hablaba, hablabas, hablaba, hablábamos, hablabais, hablaban
- -er/-ir verbs: comer/vivir → comía/vivía, comías/vivías, comía/vivía, comíamos/vivíamos, comíais/vivíais, comían/vivían
- Only three irregular verbs: ser, ir, ver
Present Perfect
The present perfect tense is used to talk about past actions that have a connection to the present.
Formation
Present tense of haber + past participle
- he + participle
- has + participle
- ha + participle
- hemos + participle
- habéis + participle
- han + participle
Regular Past Participles
- -ar verbs: -ado (hablado)
- -er/-ir verbs: -ido (comido, vivido)
Irregular Past Participles
- hacer → hecho
- escribir → escrito
- ver → visto
- decir → dicho
- poner → puesto
B1+ Level Grammar Topics
Conditional Tenses
The conditional tense is used to express hypothetical situations and polite requests.
Regular Conditional Forms
- hablar → hablaría, hablarías, hablaría, hablaríamos, hablaríais, hablarían
- comer → comería, comerías, comería, comeríamos, comeríais, comerían
- vivir → viviría, vivirías, viviría, viviríamos, viviríais, vivirían
Irregular Conditional Forms
- decir → diría
- hacer → haría
- poder → podría
- poner → pondría
- salir → saldría
- tener → tendría
- venir → vendría
B2 Level Grammar Topics
Subjunctive Mood
The subjunctive mood is used to express doubt, uncertainty, wishes, and hypothetical situations.
Present Subjunctive
Used for present and future situations
Imperfect Subjunctive
Used for past situations and hypothetical scenarios
Common Triggers for Subjunctive
- Expressions of doubt: No creo que, No pienso que, Dudo que
- Expressions of desire: Quiero que, Espero que, Ojalá que
- Expressions of emotion: Me alegra que, Me molesta que, Temo que
- Impersonal expressions: Es importante que, Es necesario que, Es mejor que
- Certain conjunctions: para que, sin que, antes de que, a menos que
Online Grammar Resources
- SpanishDict Grammar Guides - Comprehensive explanations with examples
- StudySpanish.com - Free grammar lessons and exercises
- Profe de ELE - Grammar resources in Spanish
- Instituto Cervantes - Official Spanish language resources
Vocabulary Resources
Expand your Spanish vocabulary with these thematic word lists and practice activities.
Thematic Vocabulary Lists
Daily Life and Home
Household Items
- la lavadora - washing machine
- el lavavajillas - dishwasher
- el microondas - microwave
- la nevera/el frigorífico - refrigerator (nevera is more common in Spain)
- el horno - oven
- la aspiradora - vacuum cleaner
- el armario - wardrobe/closet
- la estantería - bookshelf
- el grifo - tap/faucet
- el enchufe - plug/outlet
- la persiana - blinds/shutters (very common in Spain)
Household Chores
- limpiar - to clean
- barrer - to sweep
- fregar - to scrub/mop
- lavar los platos - to wash the dishes
- tender la ropa - to hang clothes
- planchar - to iron
- pasar la aspiradora - to vacuum
- hacer la cama - to make the bed
- sacar la basura - to take out the trash
- ordenar/arreglar - to tidy up
Food and Dining
Spanish Cuisine Terms
- la tapa - small portion of food
- la ración - larger portion of food
- el pincho - food on a skewer
- la tortilla española - Spanish omelette
- el jamón serrano/ibérico - Spanish cured ham
- la paella - rice dish
- la sangría - wine punch
- el gazpacho - cold tomato soup
- el chorizo - Spanish sausage
- las aceitunas - olives
Restaurant Vocabulary
- la cuenta - the bill
- el camarero/la camarera - waiter/waitress
- el menú del día - set menu of the day
- la propina - tip
- la reserva - reservation
- para llevar - to go/takeaway
- el primer plato - first course
- el segundo plato - main course
- el postre - dessert
- la bebida - drink
Travel and Transportation
Transportation Methods
- el metro - subway
- el autobús - bus
- el tren - train
- el tranvía - tram
- el taxi - taxi
- el coche - car
- la moto/motocicleta - motorcycle
- la bicicleta - bicycle
- el avión - airplane
- el barco - boat
Travel Vocabulary
- el billete/boleto - ticket (billete is more common in Spain)
- el pasaporte - passport
- la maleta - suitcase
- el equipaje - luggage
- el alojamiento - accommodation
- el hotel - hotel
- el aeropuerto - airport
- la estación - station
- el retraso - delay
- la salida - departure
- la llegada - arrival
Vocabulary Practice Activities
- Flashcard Practice: Create digital or physical flashcards with Spanish words on one side and English on the other
- Word Association: Group related words and practice using them in context
- Picture Labeling: Label items in pictures with Spanish vocabulary
- Vocabulary Journaling: Keep a journal of new words learned each day
- Thematic Mind Maps: Create mind maps for different vocabulary themes
Online Vocabulary Resources
- SpanishDict - Dictionary and vocabulary lists
- Memrise - Vocabulary courses with spaced repetition
- Anki - Flashcard app with spaced repetition
- WordReference - Dictionary with forums for usage questions
Listening Resources
Improve your listening comprehension with these Spanish audio resources and structured practice activities.
Recommended Spanish Podcasts
Podcasts with Spain Spanish Focus
- Notes in Spanish - Created by a Spanish-English couple in Madrid, offering authentic Spanish conversations with natural Spain Spanish accents
Website - Español con Juan - Hosted by Juan Fernández from Spain
Website - Spanish Obsessed - Features Rob (English) and Liz (Colombian), but includes Spain-specific episodes
Website
General Intermediate Spanish Podcasts
- Radio Ambulante - NPR podcast with stories from all over the Spanish-speaking world
Website - Intermediate Spanish Podcast (Español Intermedio)
Apple Podcasts - Conversations in Spanish: Intermediate Spanish & Advanced Spanish
Spotify - Intermediate Spanish Stories
Spotify
Spanish Radio Stations from Spain
- Radio Nacional de España (RNE) - Spain's national public radio
Website - Cadena SER - Popular Spanish radio network
Website - COPE - Spanish radio station
Website
Spanish TV Programs and Series
- RTVE a la carta - Spain's public television streaming service
Website - Intermediate-Level Spanish Series
- "El Ministerio del Tiempo" - Time travel drama set in Spain
- "Velvet" - Period drama set in 1950s Madrid
- "Gran Hotel" - Mystery series set in early 20th century Spain
YouTube Channels for Intermediate Spanish Learners
- Dreaming Spanish - Comprehensible input videos at various levels
YouTube Channel - Spanish with Vicente - Spanish teacher from Spain
YouTube Channel - Why Not Spanish - Comprehensive Spanish learning channel
YouTube Channel
Listening Practice Activities
- Pre-listening (5 minutes)
- Review related vocabulary
- Read summary or transcript preview
- Set listening goals or questions to answer
- Active Listening (15 minutes)
- First listen: Focus on general understanding
- Second listen: Focus on specific details
- Take notes on key points or new vocabulary
- Post-listening (10 minutes)
- Summarize what you heard
- Answer comprehension questions
- Review new vocabulary or expressions
- Reflect on cultural insights
Speaking Resources
Develop your Spanish speaking skills with these conversation activities and practice resources.
Conversation Practice Activities
Structured Conversation Activities
- Weekend Chat (Charla del fin de semana)
- Practice discussing past activities using preterite and imperfect tenses
- Share weekend plans using future tense
- Ask follow-up questions to maintain conversation
- Role-Play Scenarios (Juegos de rol)
- Restaurant interactions
- Shopping conversations
- Travel situations (hotel, airport, asking for directions)
- Doctor's appointments
- Job interviews
- Speaking Scenarios (Escenarios de conversación)
- Describe a problem and ask for advice
- Give directions to a landmark in a Spanish city
- Explain a traditional recipe from your country
- Discuss a current event or news story
- Compare cultural differences between Spain and your country
Conversation Starters for Intermediate Learners
Personal Topics
- ¿Cuál ha sido tu experiencia más memorable? (What has been your most memorable experience?)
- ¿Qué cambiarías de tu rutina diaria? (What would you change about your daily routine?)
- ¿Cómo sería tu día perfecto? (What would your perfect day be like?)
- ¿Qué te gusta hacer en tu tiempo libre? (What do you like to do in your free time?)
- ¿Cuáles son tus metas para el futuro? (What are your goals for the future?)
Opinion-Based Topics
- ¿Qué opinas sobre...? (What do you think about...?)
- ¿Estás de acuerdo con...? (Do you agree with...?)
- ¿Crees que es mejor...? (Do you think it's better...?)
- ¿Qué harías si...? (What would you do if...?)
- ¿Prefieres X o Y? ¿Por qué? (Do you prefer X or Y? Why?)
Cultural Topics
- ¿Qué sabes sobre la cultura española? (What do you know about Spanish culture?)
- ¿Has probado alguna comida típica de España? (Have you tried any typical Spanish food?)
- ¿Qué festivales o celebraciones te gustaría experimentar en España? (Which festivals or celebrations would you like to experience in Spain?)
- ¿Qué diferencias culturales has notado entre tu país y España? (What cultural differences have you noticed between your country and Spain?)
- ¿Qué aspectos de la cultura española te parecen más interesantes? (Which aspects of Spanish culture seem most interesting to you?)
Language Exchange Platforms
- Tandem - Connect with native Spanish speakers
Website - HelloTalk - Language exchange app
Website - Conversation Exchange - Find language partners
Website - iTalki - Connect with professional teachers and community tutors
Website
Solo Speaking Practice
- Shadow Speaking (5-10 minutes)
- Listen to native Spanish speakers (podcasts, videos)
- Repeat what they say, mimicking pronunciation and intonation
- Focus on matching the rhythm and flow of natural speech
- Describe Your Day (5-10 minutes)
- Record yourself describing your day or plans
- Use varied tenses and vocabulary
- Listen back and identify areas for improvement
- Picture Description (5-10 minutes)
- Choose a photo or image
- Describe it in detail (people, objects, actions, setting)
- Challenge yourself to use specific grammar structures or vocabulary
- Read Aloud (5-10 minutes)
- Select a Spanish text at your level
- Read it aloud, focusing on pronunciation and intonation
- Record yourself and compare with native speakers if possible
Reading Resources
Enhance your reading comprehension with these Spanish texts and practice activities.
Books for Intermediate Spanish Learners
Short Story Collections
- Short Stories in Spanish (for Intermediates) by Olly Richards
- Designed specifically for intermediate learners
- Includes vocabulary help and comprehension questions
- Spanish Short Stories for Intermediate Learners by Lingo Mastery
- 20 captivating short stories
- Includes summaries, vocabulary lists, and comprehension questions
- Cuentos que contaban nuestras abuelas (Tales Our Grandmothers Told) by Alma Flor Ada
- Hispanic folktales with cultural context
- Accessible language for intermediate learners
Novels for Intermediate Readers
- Como Agua para Chocolate (Like Water for Chocolate) by Laura Esquivel
- Popular Mexican novel with straightforward narrative
- Rich in cultural references and magical realism
- El Príncipe de la Niebla (The Prince of Mist) by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
- Spanish author with accessible writing style
- Mystery novel that captivates readers
- Cajas de Cartón (Cardboard Boxes) by Francisco Jiménez
- Autobiographical stories with straightforward language
- Cultural insights into immigrant experience
Online Reading Resources
News and Magazines
Websites with Graded Reading Materials
Reading Practice Activities
- Pre-reading (5 minutes)
- Review related vocabulary
- Activate prior knowledge about the topic
- Set reading goals or questions to answer
- Active Reading (15 minutes)
- First read: Focus on general understanding
- Second read: Focus on specific details
- Take notes on key points or new vocabulary
- Post-reading (10 minutes)
- Summarize what you read
- Answer comprehension questions
- Review new vocabulary or expressions
- Reflect on cultural insights
Reading Comprehension Strategies
- Scan for cognates (words similar to English) to aid understanding
- Use context clues to guess meaning of unfamiliar words
- Pay attention to transition words that signal text structure
- Create mental images while reading to improve comprehension
- Summarize each paragraph in your own words
Cultural Resources
Deepen your understanding of Spanish culture with these resources on traditions, daily life, and cultural practices.
Spanish Festivals and Celebrations
Major Spanish Festivals
- La Tomatina - Tomato-throwing festival in Buñol, Valencia
- Held on the last Wednesday of August
- Participants throw tomatoes at each other in a massive food fight
- Began in 1945 and has become an international tourist attraction
- Las Fallas - Fire festival in Valencia
- Held in March
- Features giant sculptures (fallas) that are burned at the end of the festival
- Includes fireworks, traditional costumes, and parades
- Semana Santa (Holy Week)
- Religious processions throughout Spain
- Especially famous in Seville and Málaga
- Features elaborate floats, traditional music, and penitents in distinctive robes
- San Fermín - Running of the Bulls in Pamplona
- Held in July
- Participants run in front of bulls through the streets
- Part of a larger festival honoring Saint Fermín
- La Feria de Abril - April Fair in Seville
- Traditional dress, flamenco, food, and dancing
- Features casetas (tents) where people gather to celebrate
- Cultural significance in Andalusia
Spanish Daily Life and Customs
Daily Routines and Customs
- La Siesta - Afternoon rest period
- Traditionally taken after lunch, around 2-4pm
- Many businesses close during this time, especially in smaller towns
- Less common in major cities and among younger generations
- Spanish Meal Schedule
- El desayuno (breakfast): typically light, around 8-9am
- El almuerzo (lunch): main meal, around 2-3pm
- La merienda (afternoon snack): around 5-6pm
- La cena (dinner): light meal, around 9-10pm
- Tapas Culture
- Small portions of food served with drinks
- Social custom of going from bar to bar (ir de tapas)
- Regional variations (pintxos in Basque Country, montaditos in Andalusia)
- Social Customs and Etiquette
- Greetings: dos besos (two kisses, one on each cheek)
- Personal space: closer than in many other cultures
- Punctuality: more relaxed attitude toward time
Spanish Art and Architecture
Famous Spanish Artists and Landmarks
Famous Spanish Artists
- Pablo Picasso - Co-founder of Cubism
- Salvador Dalí - Surrealist painter
- Francisco Goya - Romantic painter
- Joan Miró - Surrealist painter
- Diego Velázquez - Baroque painter
Architectural Wonders
- La Sagrada Familia (Barcelona) - Gaudí's masterpiece
- Alhambra (Granada) - Moorish palace and fortress
- El Escorial (Madrid) - Royal monastery
- Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela - Pilgrimage destination
- Mezquita de Córdoba - Former mosque, now cathedral
Cultural Learning Activities
- Virtual Museum Tours
- Explore Spanish museums online
- Focus on one artist or period per session
- Take notes on vocabulary related to art
- Spanish Recipe Exploration
- Learn about a traditional Spanish dish
- Study vocabulary related to ingredients and preparation
- Optional: Cook the dish and narrate the process in Spanish
- Festival Research Projects
- Research one Spanish festival per week
- Create a presentation or summary in Spanish
- Compare with festivals in your own culture
Cultural Resources Online
- Spain.info - Official tourism website
Website - Enforex Cultural Blog - Articles about Spanish culture
Website - Cervantes Institute - Spanish cultural institution
Website - YouTube Channels
- Spain Revealed - Cultural insights about Spain
- Easy Spanish - Street interviews and cultural topics