SYLLABUS
READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS NOW!
1.) YOUR ASSIGNMENTS are on this SYLLABUS. READ IT ALL BEFORE YOU BEGIN YOUR WORK.
assignments are on this document. Download link is below to access class readings.
Links for
2.) To SUBMIT WORK …
A. FIRST, complete your assignments for “WEEK ONE” below (on paper or computer). Essays MUST be
double spaced and size 12 Times New Roman black font. Always save your work.
B. NEXT, click “WEEK ONE” below and complete the classwork SUBMISSION form. Type or copy & paste
responses that you have prepared, in the spaces provided on the form. Some assignments may require
you to upload a response, a photo or scan. PROOFREAD and double check your work.
C. Then, submit your form with the full week completed and MOVE TO YOUR NEXT WEEK.
3.) GRADES: I will evaluate, issue a weekly score and return your submission in about 5 business days.
Scores: 0 = F, 1 = D, 2 = C, 3 = B, 4 = A.
Your 5 weekly grades must average to a 2 (“C”) to receive your credit.
You will NOT be given an opportunity to improve your weekly grade so submit your best.
MESSAGE me directly from this site. Emergencies only, call Dr. Stroud MON-FRI 9AM TO 5PM at 773-499-2668
ALL SELF-REPORTED SCORES MUST BE IN THE FORM OF A SCREENSHOT. USE THE LINK
BELOW TO LEARN HOW TO SCREENSHOT AND PASTE YOUR RESULTS.
http://www.take-a-screenshot.org/
WELCOME TO SPANISH I
Course LAN131: SPANISH I: This course encourages interpersonal communication through speaking and writing,
providing opportunities to make and respond to basic requests and questions, understand and use appropriate greetings
and forms of address, participate in brief guided conversations on familiar topics, and write short. This course also
emphasizes the development of reading and listening comprehension skills, such as reading isolated words and phrases
in a situational context and comprehending brief written or oral directions. Additionally, students will examine the
practices, products and perspectives of Spanish-speaking culture; recognize basic routine practices of the target culture;
and recognize and use situation-appropriate non-verbal communication.
Online Spanish Course
http://www.123teachme.com/learn_spanish/spanish_grammar_course
CREATE AN ACCOUNT
Spanish Dictionary
http://education.yahoo.com/reference/dict_en_es/
This Spanish class is fully online. Use the link above to access course materials. You will be provided flash cards,
recordings, practice tests, and videos. Please do not register for online tutors; this component is unnecessary and not
free. Pace yourself. With proper pacing, you should finish in 5 weeks but it’s up to you. Because this course is selfdirected, you will have to decide when you feel ready for your final exam which is with your class downloads.
WEEK ONE: Groups 1 - 2
http://www.123teachme.com/learn_spanish/spanish_grammar_course
Complete: Overview, Learn, Practice, Review (Steps 1, 2, 3, and 4) for each Group
SUBMIT ALL QUIZ/REVIEW RESULTS BELOW
QUIZ LINK 1
http://www.123teachme.com/spanish_sentence_quiz/category/hello_present
SCREENSHOT AND PASTE THE PAGE WITH THE FINAL RESULTS BELOW
QUIZ LINK 2
http://www.123teachme.com/spanish_sentence_quiz/category/weather_present
SCREENSHOT AND PASTE THE PAGE WITH THE FINAL RESULTS BELOW
Fill In The Blanks for Category: names_1
Highlight or make bold the best option that completes each sentence.
1) Me _________ Jennifer. (llama, soy, llames, llamo)
2) Me _________ María. (llama, llame, llamo)
3) _________, me llamo Roberta. (Bola, Mola, Cola, Hola)
Dialog 1, Pedro y Julia
Julia es una estudiante de la Universidad de México. Estudia en la biblioteca, cuando Pedro llega.
Pedro : ¡Julia, hola!
Julia : Pedro, buenos días. ¿Comó estas?
Pedro : Bien, gracias. ¿Y tu?
Julia : Así, así. Yo estudio para un examen.
Pedro : ¿Cuál examen?
Julia : La historia de México.
Pedro : Ah... ¡Buena suerte!
ASSIGNMENT: Questions
1. What do you think the relationship between Julia and Pedro is? Are they strangers, or friends?
2. What was Julia doing before greeting Pedro?
3. What might Julia be worrying about?
Fill In The Blanks for Category: adjectives
Highlight or make bold the best option that completes each sentence.
1) perro _________
(bonito, bonitos, bonita, bonitas)
2) reloj _________
(nueve, nuevos, nueva, nuevo)
3) avión _________
(granda, grand, grande, grandes)
4) La pelota es _________ y blanca.
(azul, azules, bluzul)
5) Ellos llevaron _________ maletas.
(pronto, poca, muchas)
Fill In The Blanks for Category: introductions
Highlight or make bold the best option that completes each sentence.
1) _________ presentarme. Mi nombre es...
(Déjarme, Déjame)
2) _________ presentarme. Mi nombre es...
(Déme, Déjeme)
3) _________ es mi novio.
(Este, Esta)
4) Buenos días, Luis, te _________ a un amigo.
(presento, presentamos)
5) _________ presentarme. Mi nombre es...
(Déjeme, Digame)
6) Hola, _________ Robert.
(me llama, my nameo, me llamo)
7) Estoy _________ de conocerla.
(encantade, encantada, enchantado)
8) Mucho gusto, me _________ Patty.
(llamas, llamar, llamo)
9) Te quiero _________ a un amigo.
(presenta, presentar)
10) _________ es su novia.
(Esto, Esta)
Beginner Spanish No. 1: Introducciones
ASSIGNMENT: Type an eight sentence paragraph below, introducing yourself to your
instructor. Use the examples below for a guideline.
MY INTRODUCTION:
Soy______________
I'm ____________
EXAMPLES
Soy Jennifer
I'm Jennifer
¡Hola, soy Jennifer! Tengo 9 años. Vivo en
Houston, Texas con mi madre, mi padre y mis
dos hermanos. Me gusta ir a la escuela pero odio
hacer tareas y tomar exámenes. En la escuela
estudio inglés, español, ciencia, sociales y
matemáticas. Amo ir a la escuela y ver a mis
amigos y profesores todos los días. También me
gusta jugar béisbol después de la escuela. Yo no
tengo hermanas, pero mi mejor amiga Olga es
como mi hermana. Nosotras nos contamos todo.
También estudiamos y vemos televisión juntas.
Cuando crezca voy a ser enfermera y voy a
cuidar a las personas enfermas.
Hi! I’m Jennifer! I am 9 years old. I live in
Houston, Texas with my mother, father, and two
brothers. I like going to school but I hate doing
homework and taking exams. At school I study
English, Spanish, Science, Social Studies and
Mathematics. I love going to school and seeing
my friends and teachers every day. I also like to
play baseball after school. I don’t have a sister
but my best friend Olga is just like my sister. We
tell each other everything. We also study and
watch TV together. When I grow up I’m going to
be a nurse and take care of sick people.
Me llamo Martha
My name is Martha
Hola, mi nombre es Martha. Tengo 41 años y soy
casada con dos hijos. Vivo en Hoboken, que está
Hello ! My name is Martha. I am 41 years old,
married with 2 kids. I live in Hoboken which is in
en el estado de Nueva Jersey, en la costa este de
los Estados Unidos. Trabajo medio tiempo en una
librería. Es un gran trabajo. Puedo leer tantos
libros gratis como quiera y puedo pasar bastante
tiempo con mis hijos. Mi esposo tiene su propio
negocio y trabaja de las 8 de la mañana a las 9 de
la noche. Un día él venderá el negocio por mucho
dinero para poder pasar más tiempo con su
familia. Cuando no estoy trabajando, paso la
mayor parte de mi tiempo limpiando la casa,
lavando la ropa, pagando las cuentas y cocinando
para la familia. Me gustaría que mi esposo
vendiera su negocio pronto para que pudiera
pasar más tiempo con nosotros.
the state of New Jersey on the east coast of the
United States. I work part-time in a bookstore. It
is a great job. I can read as many books as I want
for free and I get to spend plenty of time with my
kids. My husband has his own business and
works from 8am to 9pm. One day he will sell the
business for a lot of money so that he can spend
more time with his family. When I am not
working, I spend most of my time cleaning the
house, doing the laundry, paying the bills and
cooking for the family. I would like my husband
to sell his business soon so that he can spend
more time with us.
Mi nombre es Marco
My name is Marco
Hola, mi nombre es Marco. Tengo 17 años y me
mudé a los Estados Unidos con mis padres hace 2
años, desde el Perú. No tengo hermanos o
hermanas; soy hijo único. Mis padres vinieron a
los Estados Unidos porque no pudieron encontrar
trabajo en el Perú. Mi tía y tío se mudaron aquí
hace 12 años y tienen un restaurante. Mi padre
trabaja como chef y mi madre trabaja como
mesera en el restaurante. Es un trabajo difícil
pero ellos están felices de tener ahora suficiente
dinero y de que yo tenga la oportunidad de
obtener una buena educación. Dejar el Perú fue
difícil para mí. Allá tenía mucha familia y
amigos. Yo sólo podía hablar un poco de inglés y
mi familia no tenía mucho dinero. Las cosas van
mejor ahora. He hecho algunos amigos y estoy
aprendiendo inglés rápido. Me voy a graduar de
preparatoria el próximo año y espero ir a la
universidad. Después de eso obtendré un trabajo
como ingeniero y haré mucho dinero para que
mis padres ya no tengan que trabajar tan duro.
Hi ! My name is Marco. I am 17 years old and
moved to the United States 2 years ago from Peru
with my parents. I don’t have any brothers or
sisters; I am an only child. My parents came to
the US because they could not find work in Peru.
My Aunt and Uncle had moved here 12 years ago
and own a restaurant. My father works as a chef
and my mother works as a waitress at the
restaurant. It is hard work but they are happy that
they now have enough money and that I have the
opportunity to get a good education. Leaving
Peru was hard for me. I had a lot of family and
friends there. I could speak very little English and
my family didn’t have a lot of money. Things are
better now. I have made a few friends and I am
learning English fast. I will graduate High School
next year and hope to go to college. After that I
will get a job as an Engineer and make a lot of
money so that my parents don’t have to work so
hard anymore.
WEEK TWO: Groups 3 - 4
http://www.123teachme.com/learn_spanish/spanish_grammar_course
Complete: Overview, Learn, Practice, Review (Steps 1, 2, 3, and 4) for each Group
SUBMIT ALL QUIZ/REVIEW RESULTS BELOW
QUIZ LINK 1
http://www.123teachme.com/spanish_sentence_quiz/category/cognates_present
SCREENSHOT AND PASTE THE PAGE WITH THE FINAL RESULTS BELOW
QUIZ LINK 2
http://www.123teachme.com/spanish_sentence_quiz/category/yo_tu_present
SCREENSHOT AND PASTE THE PAGE WITH THE FINAL RESULTS BELOW
GO TO http://www.ielanguages.com/spanish1.html
Complete sections 1 – 5 online – Study and do all exercises
SCREENSHOT AND PASTE THE PAGE WITH THE FINAL RESULTS BELOW
Latin Culture
Here you will find links to a variety of cultural information about Latin America. Pretend that you are a travel
agent and are persuading me to visit each location below.
ASSIGNMENT: Type in ENGLISH a page on each, giving highlights of the landscape,
culture, and entertainment that would convince me to visit and explore.
Use INDEPENDENT RESEARCH and the links below.
(Hold the “ctrl” button and then click the link)
Colombia - Portal oficial de Turismo
Visite México
Argentina - Secretaría de Turismo
Visite Costa Rica
Ven a Perú
ASSIGNMENT: Then create a flyer IN ENGLISH for each travel destination above.
ADD WORK HERE
WEEK THREE: Groups 5-6
http://www.123teachme.com/learn_spanish/spanish_grammar_course
Complete: Overview, Learn, Practice, Review (Steps 1, 2, 3, and 4) for each Group
SUBMIT ALL QUIZ/REVIEW RESULTS BELOW
QUIZ LINK 1
http://www.123teachme.com/spanish_sentence_quiz/category/pronouns_present
SCREENSHOT AND PASTE THE PAGE WITH THE FINAL RESULTS BELOW
QUIZ LINK 2
http://www.123teachme.com/spanish_sentence_quiz/category/querer_present
SCREENSHOT AND PASTE THE PAGE WITH THE FINAL RESULTS BELOW
GO TO http://www.ielanguages.com/spanish1.html
Complete sections 6 – 10 online – Study and do all exercises
SCREENSHOT AND PASTE THE PAGE WITH THE FINAL RESULTS BELOW
Sentence Match Quiz for Category: expressions_1
Highlight or make bold the sentence that matches each item below.
1) Yo quería que Juan se apurara.
- A: If only you knew!
- B: I don´t understand anything.
- C: in the afternoon (no specific time)
- D: I wanted John to hurry.
2) hace fresco
- A: He never complains.
- B: Juan, hurry.
- C: He speaks as fast as a train.
- D: it's cool
3) Todo el cuerpo.
- A: What's up?
- B: The entire body.
- C: The weather is good.
- D: How are you?
4) Tengo que apurarme.
- A: all you can eat
- B: I won't pay the rent unless they fix the roof.
- C: to agree
- D: I have to hurry.
5) Lo haría por tu bien.
- A: all you can eat
- B: nothing to declare
- C: soaked to the skin
- D: She would do it for your own good.
Sentence Match Quiz for Category: cognates_1
Highlight or make bold the sentence that matches each item below.
1) Él corrige los documentos.
- A: The melons and watermelons are typical in summer.
- B: This car has a manual transmission.
- C: He corrects the documents.
- D: It's convenient to take warm clothes because in the countryside it can be quite cold
2) La hamburguesa lleva lechuga, cebolla, tomate, pepinillos y doble de queso
- A: Do you like the apartment?
- B: The hamburger has lettuce, onion, tomato, pickles, and double cheese
- C: Yours are horrible.
- D: It was delicious.
3) Los melones y sandías son típicos de la época estival.
- A: You are livid! (feminine)
- B: The animal with the longest neck is the giraff.
- C: I like khaki trousers.
- D: The melons and watermelons are typical in summer.
4) El tren de cercanías llega hasta la terminal dos del aeropuerto
- A: How much are the tomatoes?
- B: This car has a manual transmission.
- C: This apartment has central air conditioning.
- D: The suburban train goes to the terminal two of the airport
5) A mí me gustan los pantalones caqui.
- A: I like khaki trousers.
- B: Yours are horrible.
- C: The hamburger has lettuce, onion, tomato, pickles, and double cheese
- D: The operator's manual lists directions for that on page ten.
6) ¡Estás lívida!
- A: You are livid! (feminine)
- B: I never carry a map.
- C: I like to travel in first class.
- D: The operator's manual lists directions for that on page ten.
7) Siga las instrucciones exactamente.
- A: Follow the directions exactly.
- B: The hamburger has lettuce, onion, tomato, pickles, and double cheese
- C: Do you have identification?
- D: How much are the tomatoes?
8) El manual de operador incluye instrucciones para eso en la página diez.
- A: The operator's manual lists directions for that on page ten.
- B: This car has a manual transmission.
- C: The hamburger has lettuce, onion, tomato, pickles, and double cheese
- D: The active ingredients are listed on the back of the package.
Sentence Match Quiz for Category: courtesy_1
Highlight or make bold the sentence that matches each item below.
1) Muchas gracias.
- A: Thank you very much.
- B: The steak for me, please.
- C: And you guys, could you come?
- D: I would like a price quote for a room.
2) ¿Me pudiera dar un asiento de ventana, por favor?
- A: Would you be able to give me a window seat, please?
- B: I would like a glass of water.
- C: I would like to make a reservation.
- D: I would like to change some traveler’s checks, please.
3) ¿Me prestaría una pluma, por favor?
- A: Would you lend me a pen, please?
- B: I would like a glass of orange juice.
- C: I am very sorry, but we have no rooms available.
- D: Excuse me, can you tell me where the post office is?
4) Quisiera un vaso de agua.
- A: Excuse me, where is the park?
- B: Pardon me, I will arrive as soon as I can.
- C: Can I pay by card?
- D: I would like a glass of water.
5) Yo quisiera un vaso de jugo de naranja.
- A: Thank you for buying at...
- B: Oh! Sorry, I'll put it for you in a moment.
- C: Thank you very much.
- D: I would like a glass of orange juice.
6) Y vosotros ¿podríais venir?
- A: And you guys, could you come?
- B: Thank you very much.
- C: Would you be able to give me a window seat, please?
- D: I would like a glass of water.
7) Gracias por comprar en...
- A: When you say "Thank you" the correct answer is "you are welcome".
- B: I would like to have some information about package tours in the north of Spain.
- C: Thanks, that's good.
- D: Thank you for buying at...
8) El filete para mí, por favor.
- A: The steak for me, please.
- B: Twenty liters of unleaded gasoline, please.
- C: Excuse me, is this downtown?
- D: Would you lend me a pen, please?
Sentence Match Quiz for Category: hacer_weather_1
Highlight or make bold the sentence that matches each item below.
1) Si hace calor hay que beber mucho líquido.
- A: If it is hot, you need to drink lots of water.
- B: It's hot.
- C: it's sunny
- D: there is a wind blowing outside
2) hace sol
- A: It's hot.
- B: If it is hot, you need to drink lots of water.
- C: Let's go to the beach, it's incredibly sunny.
- D: it's sunny
3) hace fresco
- A: it's windy
- B: Today is neither hot nor cold.
- C: It's sunny.
- D: it's cool
4) Hace calor.
- A: It's hot.
- B: The weather there is hot and it's very sunny.
- C: The weather is bad.
- D: it's sunny
5) Hace mucho frío en el norte, pero por lo menos se usa la calefacción.
- A: The day started out hot but now it's cold.
- B: Let's go to the beach, it's incredibly sunny.
- C: What a good day it is today for a trip to the countryside!
- D: It's cold up north, but at least they use heaters.
6) Hace viento.
- A: it's warm (hot)
- B: If the weather is good, we will go swimming.
- C: Since last night. It is so hot.
- D: It's windy.
7) ¡Qué buen día hace hoy para ir de excursión al campo!
- A: What a good day it is today for a trip to the countryside!
- B: The day started out hot but now it's cold.
- C: It is cold and I need a jacket, will you lend me yours?
- D: Its very cold.
8) Hoy no hace ni frío ni calor.
- A: The day started out hot but now it's cold.
- B: It's hot.
- C: Since last night. It is so hot.
- D: Today is neither hot nor cold.
WEEK FOUR: Groups 7-8
http://www.123teachme.com/learn_spanish/spanish_grammar_course
Complete: Overview, Learn, Practice, Review (Steps 1, 2, 3, and 4) for each Group
SUBMIT ALL QUIZ/REVIEW RESULTS BELOW
QUIZ LINK 1
http://www.123teachme.com/spanish_sentence_quiz/category/ver_present
SCREENSHOT AND PASTE THE PAGE WITH THE FINAL RESULTS BELOW
QUIZ LINK 2
http://www.123teachme.com/spanish_sentence_quiz/category/more_opposites_present
SCREENSHOT AND PASTE THE PAGE WITH THE FINAL RESULTS BELOW
GO TO http://www.ielanguages.com/spanish1.html
Complete sections 11 – 15 online – Study and do all exercises
SCREENSHOT AND PASTE THE PAGE WITH THE FINAL RESULTS BELOW
Beginner Level No. 2 – Narrative Essay
ASSIGNMENT: Type a 4 paragraph narrative essay expanding your introduction from
Week one. Use the example below for a guideline.
Soy______________
I'm ____________
EXAMPLES
Conozcamos a Peter
Let's meet Peter
¡Hola! Yo soy Peter. Tengo 7 años y vivo con
mis padres en San Francisco. Estoy en el segundo
grado. En los Estados Unidos lo llamamos
escuela elemental. Yo amo ver dibujos animados
y jugar videojuegos. Mis programas favoritos son
Dora la Exploradora y Calle Sésamo. Me gustan
porque son divertidos y enseñan cosas nuevas.
Hi ! I’m Peter. I am 7 years old and live with my
parents in San Francisco. I am in the second
grade. In the United States we call that
elementary school. I love watching cartoons and
playing video games. My favorite shows are Dora
the Explorer and Sesame Street. I like them
because they are fun to watch and teach you new
things.
Yo tengo un hermano y una hermana. Mi
hermano tiene 17 años y está en el último año de
la preparatoria. Él ama los deportes e ir a fiestas.
Él nunca me lleva a fiestas pero algunas veces
nos lleva a mi hermana y a mí a la playa. Mi
hermana se llama Jane. Tiene 11 años. A ella le
gusta leer y jugar fútbol. Lee uno o dos libros
cada semana y ve todos los partidos de fútbol por
televisión. Ella se mete en problemas en la
escuela todo el tiempo porque no hace sus tareas.
Pretende poner atención en la clase pero lee sus
libros debajo del escritorio. Mis padres algunas
veces hacen que mi hermano le ayude con sus
tareas. Muy a menudo, él simplemente hace las
tareas de ella para poder salir con su novia.
I have a brother and a sister. My brother is 17 and
is attending his last year of High School. He
loves sports and going to parties. He never takes
me to any parties but sometimes he takes my
sister and me to the beach. My sister’s name is
Jane. She is 11. She loves reading and playing
soccer. She reads one or two books every week
and watches every soccer game on TV. She gets
into trouble at school all the time because she
doesn’t do her homework. She pretends to pay
attention in class but reads her books under the
desk. My parents sometimes make my brother
help her with her homework. Very often he just
does her homework for her so that he can go out
with his girlfriend.
Yo también tengo una novia. Su nombre es
Shenaaz. Ella se mudó con sus padres del Líbano
a San Francisco. Ella es muy linda. Habla francés
y árabe y está aprendiendo inglés. Ella todavía no
tiene sus propios libros, entonces nos sentamos
juntos en la clase y yo comparto mis libros con
ella. El fin de semana, ella viene a mi casa y ve
películas con mi familia y yo. A sus padres les
gusta que ella pase tiempo en nuestra casa porque
puede aprender inglés con nosotros. En casa,
ellos sólo hablan francés o árabe.
I have a girlfriend too. Her name is Shenaaz. She
moved to San Francisco with her parents from
Lebanon. She is very pretty. She speaks French
and Arabic and is learning English. She doesn’t
have her own books yet so we sit together in class
and I share my books with her. On the weekend,
she comes over and watches movies with me and
my family. Her parents like her to spend time at
our house because she can learn English with us.
At home, they only speak French or Arabic.
Cuando crezca, yo quiero ser policía y ayudar a
atrapar criminales. Mi profesora dice que yo
tendré que estudiar duro para ser más inteligente
que los criminales. Los policías en la televisión
parecen muy inteligentes, por lo que yo trato de
sacar ‘A’ en todo, para ser inteligente como ellos.
Mi papa es muy inteligente también. Él es
mecánico. Puede arreglar cualquier carro en el
mundo. Él me dijo que tuvo que estudiar muy
duro también. Si yo no me hago policía, quiero
hacerme mecánico y arreglar los carros de las
personas. Supongo que tendré que parar de jugar
videojuegos tanto y estudiar para poder ser
inteligente y ayudar a las personas cuando crezca.
When I grow up I want to be a policeman and
help catch criminals. My teacher says I will have
to study hard so I will be smarter than the
criminals. The cops on TV seem really smart, so I
make sure I get all ‘A’s in everything so I can be
smart like them. My Dad is really smart too. He
is a mechanic. He can fix any car in the world.
He told me he had to study really hard too. If I
don’t become a cop, I want to become a
mechanic and fix people’s cars. I guess I will
have to stop playing video games so much and
study so that I can be smart and help people when
I grow up.
WEEK FIVE: Groups 9-10
http://www.123teachme.com/learn_spanish/spanish_grammar_course
Complete: Overview, Learn, Practice, Review (Steps 1, 2, 3, and 4) for each Group
SUBMIT ALL QUIZ/REVIEW RESULTS BELOW
QUIZ LINK 1
http://www.123teachme.com/spanish_sentence_quiz/category/demonstrative_adjectives_
present
SCREENSHOT AND PASTE THE PAGE WITH THE FINAL RESULTS BELOW
QUIZ LINK 2
http://www.123teachme.com/spanish_sentence_quiz/category/numbers_present_3
SCREENSHOT AND PASTE THE PAGE WITH THE FINAL RESULTS BELOW
GO TO http://www.ielanguages.com/spanish1.html
Complete sections 16 – 20 online – Study and do all exercises
SCREENSHOT AND PASTE THE PAGE WITH THE FINAL RESULTS BELOW
WRITING A LETTER IN SPANISH : After reading the lesson type a full page letter of your choice. Add
your letter to the end of this syllabus in the space provided.
To write a Spanish letter many elements should be taken into consideration:
In general your letter should have these elements:








the date (at the top, write the day first, then the month, then the year)
the name and address of the addressee
a greeting
an introduction
body information
closing remarks
your signature
your return address (including your country).
Spanish Letter Layout
On the top of the page, either on the left or the right hand side start writing your name, without a title, when
writing your own address place commas at the ends of lines, but when writing the address of your Hispanic
addressee in a formal letter or on the envelope, it is worth remembering in the letter layout that the end of line
commas or dots may be regarded as a mistake. The addressee’s name and address should be inserted on the left
hand side of the sheet above the opening greeting. In a letter to someone with a title, in a business for instance,
this is placed after the addressee’s full name.
The full forms are given for information only and are not normally used in ordinary correspondence:
To a man: Sr. D García or Señor Don Garcia (Mr. Garcia: formal) or simply Sr. Garcia or Señor García (Mr.
Garcia: formal)
To a woman: Sra. Dña. Lopez or Señora Doña Lopez (Ms or Mrs. Lopez: formal) or simply Sra. Lopez or
Señora Lopez (Ms or Mrs. Lopez: formal).
Addresses in Latin America and Spain look a little bit like this:
Sr. Roberto Carlos Melendez
c/ Francisco de Silvela, 19, 5º
48470 Algorta
Vizcaya España
Below is an explanation of each element in the address above:
Persona de contacto: Sr. Roberto Carlos Melendez
Dirección: c/ Francisco de Silvela, 19, 5º
CP: 48470 Población: Algorta
Provincia: Vizcaya País: España
When writing an informal letter it is enough to write the name of the place you're writing from and the date,
both your address and and addressee's address is not required:
Tarifa, 25 de enero de 1999
Greetings in a Spanish letter
To start your greeting to a person you already know by name use: Estimado Señor José or Estimada Señora
Miguel.
If you don’t know the person by name, you can simply write: Muy Señor mío, Muy Señora mía. Su
Excelencia (Your excellence: to some high rank personnel) or Estimado Señor / Estimada Señora which is
less formal. There is also a rare greeting form De mi consideración which is very formal.
An informal greeting would be: Querido José (dear Jose), Querida Miguel, Queridos José y Miguel. Querido
amigo:
Closing the letter in Spanish:
Formal
A la espera de sus prontas
noticias, le saluda
Letter closing in Spanish
Less formal
Informal
Un cordial
Un abrazo,
Un fuerte abrazo,
Family members / close
friends
Un beso,
atentamente,
Le saluda atentamente,
or simply: Atentamente.
saludo,
Un fuerte abrazo de tu
amigo.
Cordialmente,
Besos,
Un afectuoso (or cariñoso)
saludo,
Afectuosamente,
Con todo mi cariño.
Addressing the envelope:
Your address (usually on the back):
Remite: Maya Gotlieb,
58 Freedom road,
Washington DC 20022.
Remitente: The addressee’s address (on the front):
Sr. Roberto Carlos Melendez
c/ Francisco de Silvela, 19, 5º
48470 Algorta
Vizcaya España
Tips on Writing a Letter in Spanish:
Break your text into paragraphs, preferably with one idea per paragraph, you should have that in mind as a
start in writing a letter in Spanish.
Punctuation: questions begin with ¿ and end with ? like in ¿qué pasó? (What happened?), exclamation forms
start with ¡ and end with! which is a unique thing to Spanish. Abbreviations are preceded by a dot in Spanish,
like in Sr. or p.ej (meaning for example), however some names of organizations are not preceded by a dot, like
the ONU (Organización de las Naciones Unidas), use colons (dos puntos : ) commas (coma , ) Capital and
lower case letters, like in proper names, capitals and languages, however the residents of a country are not
capitalized (American : Americano. Moroccan: marroquí) also religions and their followers (Islam: islam,
Christian: cristiano), names of days of the week & months (Monday: lunes, January: enero)
ensure the spelling, punctuation, and accent marks are correct and add the necessary accent marks and tildes
such as (á, é, í, ó, ú, ü, ñ).
A Letter Sample in Spanish: (Job application)
Date
Addressee
Spanish Letter Sample
14 de junio de 1999
Sr. Roberto Carlos Melendez
c/ Francisco de Silvela, 19, 5º
48470 Algorta
Vizcaya España
Estimado Señor:
Greeting
Introduction En respuesta al anuncio publicado en el periódico “El Mundo” de fecha 12 de junio en el que
solicitan secretaria trilingüe, quisiera ser considerada al realizarse la selección de candidatas.
Body
Information
Como se desprende del currículum vitae que adjunto, estoy soltera con un ciudadano
americano y acabo de regresar a España después de haber vivido durante seis años en los
EE.UU., donde trabajé como secretaria de dirección en una empresa multinacional. Tengo
perfecto dominio del idioma inglés, sólidos conocimientos de francés y amplia experiencia en
procesamiento de textos.
Closing
- Agradezco a Ud. la atención que me pueda dispensar y quedo a su entera disposición para
cualquier aclaración y/o ampliación de antecedentes.
Another way of closing would be:
Signature
Return
Address
-Quedo a su disposición para ampliar datos y ofrecer referencias.
Atentamente, (you should sign your name under it) and also print if after the signature.
Maya Gotlieb,
58 Freedom road,
Washington DC 20022.
WRITING A LETTER IN SPANISH: After reading the lesson above type a full page letter of your choice.
Add your letter here….
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