Spanish around the world
Spanish is an official language in twenty-one countries. Knowing how it varies makes you a better listener, not a confused one.
Part of your national curriculum
- Grammar and vocabulary: Apply linguistic knowledge of the language to derive meaning of unfamiliar words, including through use of a dictionary
Lesson overview
What you'll learn in this lesson
Apply linguistic knowledge of the language to derive meaning of unfamiliar words, including through use of a dictionary
Key learning points
- • Where it is spoken
- • Variation
- • Using a dictionary well
This lesson at a glance
- 20 minutes
- 20 parts to scroll through
- 4 quick checks
- Marked quiz at the end
- Gentle pace: short sittings with pauses
Words to know
Scroll down — the lesson carries on below
Watch & discover
Part 1 of 20
Visual introductionPicture this
Spanish around the world
Spanish is an official language in twenty-one countries. Knowing how it varies makes you a better listener, not a confused one.
In a nutshell
Apply linguistic knowledge of the language to derive meaning of unfamiliar words, including through use of a dictionary
Learning cycle
Part 2 of 20
Learning cycle 1 of 2
Part 1 · Where it is spoken
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Explore the idea
Part 3 of 20
Learn
Where it is spoken
Spain, Mexico, most of Central and South America, and Equatorial Guinea. Mexico has the largest number of Spanish speakers. The United States has one of the largest Spanish-speaking populations in the world.
Reset break
Part 4 of 20
Pause
That's sitting 1 of 5 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Explore the idea
Part 5 of 20
Learn
Variation
Vocabulary differs: el coche (Spain) and el carro (much of Latin America); el móvil and el celular; el zumo and el jugo. Vosotros is used in Spain; most of Latin America uses ustedes for all plural 'you'. In Argentina and Uruguay, vos replaces tú.
Quick check
Part 6 of 20
Quick check
Part 7 of 20
Reset break
Part 8 of 20
Pause
That's sitting 2 of 5 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Learning cycle
Part 9 of 20
Learning cycle 2 of 2
Part 2 · Using a dictionary well
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Explore the idea
Part 10 of 20
Learn
Using a dictionary well
Check the part of speech before choosing a meaning. Look at the example sentence, not just the first translation. For verbs, look up the infinitive — 'fueron' will not appear, but 'ir' will. Regional labels (Esp., Am.) tell you where a word is used.
Quick check
Part 11 of 20
Reset break
Part 12 of 20
Pause
That's sitting 3 of 5 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Quick check
Part 13 of 20
Explore the idea
Part 14 of 20
Worked example
Worked example: choosing the right entry
You meet 'la cuenta' in a restaurant text. The dictionary offers 'bill', 'account' and 'count'. Context — a café, after a meal — selects 'bill'. This is the habit that matters: pick the meaning that fits the situation, not the one printed first.
Challenge round
Part 15 of 20
Game · Sort it
Which of these are true?
Drag each card into the right column. Tap a card first if dragging is fiddly.
True
Not true
Reset break
Part 16 of 20
Pause
That's sitting 4 of 5 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Challenge round
Part 17 of 20
Game · Fill the gaps
Finish the sentences
Choose the word that belongs in each gap.
Check the part of speech before choosing a ____.
Challenge round
Part 18 of 20
Game · Recall cards
To look up 'mangé' in a dictionary you search for...
Card 1 of 4
Mastery quiz
Part 19 of 20
Marked quiz
End of lesson quiz: Spanish around the world
4 questions, marked with the reasoning shown. No timer.
1. To look up 'mangé' in a dictionary you search for...
2. What does 'impossible' most likely mean, based on the prefix 'im-'?
3. To look up 'vont' in a dictionary, you should search for...
4. Words like 'important' and 'nation' that closely resemble English are called...
Lesson round-up
Part 20 of 20
Lesson round-up
Ready when you are
Quiz score
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Luna: 0 out of 4 on the practice checks. Only if you feel up to it — one more?
Ask LunaPart 1 of 20 · Watch & discover
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Apply linguistic knowledge of the language to derive meaning of unfamiliar words, including through use of a dictionary