Day 3 of the Sample Course is a second audio lesson, and by the looks of the syllabus, learning how to introduce yourself to someone else is on the agenda for today. When double clicking the link to the lesson, a new window opens with a brief introduction to the lesson. Mauricio explains that this audio portion is twenty-five minutes long and of course has the ability to be downloaded into an MP3 file for convenience.

About This Conversation

The conversation that has been typed out in Spanish and English is longer than the first audio lesson. It is eight lines long and looks like this:

» Spanish Conversation

» English Translation

The Audio File

After pressing play, Amy’s voice can be heard and she states the objectives for this audio lesson. She speaks about how you will learn how to introduce yourself, tell someone your name, and how much Spanish you are able to speak. These are all key things to know how to say when dealing with business or traveling, so it is imperative that before you start drilling vocabulary or learn verb conjugations, you know this conversation as well as you can. Amy briefly asks if you remember some key words from the last audio lesson, and then Mauricio and Amy replay the Lesson One Conversation to refresh your memory. Amy warns that this audio lesson is going to be more difficult than the first because the phrases being learned are more complex. It is important that you listen carefully and always repeat the words and phrases aloud. During the lesson, Amy tells about the culture in Latin American countries and how it is proper for a man to kiss a woman on the cheek upon greeting her, just like how in America we shake hands.

Words According to Gender & Cognate Words

In this lesson, we are also introduced to words that change according to gender.  In this lesson the word encantado, is either encatado if you are male, or encantada if you are female.

Encantado is also an example of a cognate word. “Cognate” also means similar or related; these types of words in Spanish are the easiest because they are similar to their translated words in English. What comes to mind when you hear the word “encantado”? Encantado translates to enchanted in English. These words are the easiest to decipher even if you have minimal experience with the Spanish language.

Telling Time In Spanish

When learning Spanish, there are many important things you will need to know how to say, particularly when dealing with a work environment or going to a foreign country to travel. Key vocabulary with telling time is important to know in any language mainly to make plans or find out the time. Below are important phrases and words to remember that deal with time. It is also vital to know how to say the numbers one to fifty-nine as well.

What time is it? - ¿Ques hora es?

It is one o’clock. - Es la una.

It is two o’clock. - Son las dos.

It is half past ____. - Es/Son la(s) ____ y media.

It is quarter past ____. - Es/Son la(s) ____ y cuarto.

In the morning - Por la mañana

In the afternoon - Por la tarde

In the evening - Por la noche

Noon - Mediodia

Midnight - Medianoche