Learn three ways to give your name.

            Mi nombre es __________.

            (Yo) me llamo ____________.

            (Yo) soy ______________.

Learn six questions you can use to ask someone his/her name.

            ¿Cuál es tu nombre?               ¿Cuál es su nombre?

            ¿Cómo te llamas (tú)?               ¿Cómo se llama (usted)?

            ¿Quién eres (tú)?                      ¿Quién es (usted)?

Realize that the way you say something in Spanish depends on whether the

situation/relationship is a formal one or an informal one.

Learn to ask and give a guy’s name (not your own).       

            ¿Cuál es su nombre?              Su nombre es ____________.

            ¿Cómo se llama (él)?                (Él) se llama ____________.

            ¿Quién es (él)?             (Él) es _______________.

Learn to ask and give a girl’s name (not your own).

            ¿Cuál es su nombre?              Su nombre es ____________.

            ¿Cómo se llama (ella)?            (Ella) se llama ____________.

            ¿Quién es (ella)?                       (Ella) es _______________.

Learn that there are more than 20 countries in the world where Spanish is a major or

official language.

Learn to identify cognates when you see and hear them.

Cognates are words that are very similar in two languages.

Examples: mamá, papá, bebé, esposo, lista, similar, diferente, opcional, necesario,

      clase, profesora, estudiantes, examen, entrar, pasar, practicar,

      respuesta, identificación, identidad, plan, número

Learn the numbers from 0 to 100 and the numbers 1900 and 2000.

Learn how to ask for the following information:

            Age--¿Cuál es su edad?

            Phone number--¿Cuál es su número de teléfono?

            SS#--¿Cuál es su número de seguro social?

            Date of birth--¿Cuál es su fecha de nacimiento? ¿Qué mes? ¿Qué día? ¿Qué año?

Learn that most Spanish speakers begin counting on their fingers with their pinkies or

thumbs, not their index fingers.

Learn that Spanish people are from Spain, Mexicans are from Mexico, and Hispanics can

be from any Spanish-speaking countries.

Use communication strategies when listening comprehension is less than 100%.

            To ask the meaning of a word or phrase--¿Qué significa _____________?

            To get someone to slow down—Más despacio, por favor.

            If you need something repeated—Otra vez, por favor.

            If you need someone to speak up—Más recio, por favor.

            Verify (in Spanish) the part you did get and let your speaker repeat the rest.

            Ask questions that will get you a yes-no response.

            Ask your speaker to select from a limited number of choices.

Break the information down into smaller chunks—just ask for one part of the

name or date at a time.

Begin using study skills and strategies which aid in learning a foreign language.

            Make index cards for learning numbers and other new vocabulary.

            Become familiar with online resources listed on syllabus.

            Get a study partner who will call things out to you.

            Look for opportunities outside of class to use Spanish—TV, product labels, etc.

Learn to expect and accept cultural differences rather than assuming that your way is the

only way (or if not the only way, the best way).