From the Eyes of an English Language Learner

Learning the English language is challenging enough for children born in the United States.  English is one of the most difficult languages to acquire because there are so many spelling and grammar rules, silent letters and vowel combinations, and a host of phonetic challenges that prove quite difficult to keep up with.  Then there are contexual challenges to deal with.  Words that sound the same, yet have different meanings, words that are spelled the same yet have different meanings, opposites, "i" before "e" except after "c"...the list goes on and on, and it's enough to make the most prolific scholar's head spin!

The English language is an infusion of many other languages and can be quite confusing students in schools across the United States.  It is exceptionally challenging for children from other countries where English is not spoken regularly.  Even if the language is spoken, the family speaks in their native tongue.   Imagine how a child feels trying to learn and understand the English language while holding on to their cultural identity and maintaining their heritage, and still be a child.

It can be quite overwhelming for an English Language Learner to successfully obtain English language acquisition in our public schools.  The stuggles to keep up with the classroom expectations with limited English language proficiency and minimal resources to truly support the student begs to question if our current educational system is designed to help all students succeed.  Yet there are educators that are committed to call of duty in the public school system to serve ALL students, one child at a time.

As an educator, I see the challenges for all students daily.  I see third graders struggle to understand grammar concepts and can't help but wonder about the child from Nigeria that knows no English outside of what his peers speak.  I see middle school students struggle with writing and can't help but think about the student from Honduras that struggled in school in her country, and now she sits in our classrooms with even more challenges.

Being bilingual is a benefit to organizations around the world, but the road to proficiency is one that many don't consider...and it starts in the classroom. 



Copyright Lennis Dionne Sample. Creative Commons License Allowed with permission.

1 Down...11 More to Go

Today I've completed my first class with Jones International University.  I must say that I'm definitely in a different place in my life.  My final grade in the class is a 93, which is an A.  I have to admit that I'm a little disappointed because my overall grade was a 95, and I was hoping that my final project would take me a little higher...not a little lower.  Needless to say, I've got an A in the class.

My first course was Teaching and Administering in Colorado & the States.  Colorado is where the university is located, by the way.  Not only did I have to learn and understand Colorado teaching standands and governances, but I had to learn North Carolina's teaching standards and governances as well.  It was absolutely fascinating to learn and compare the differences between the states. 

There is also an interesting contrast between my years pursuing my undergraduate degree and my current pursuit of my Masters degree.  For the first time, I'm taking care of myself.  I struggled to keep everything together while pursuing my Bachelors degree full time, raising two then teenage boys, and work full time.  Now, my children are on their own, I'm going through a personal Renaissance period (if you will), and for the first time in my life, the only person I'm responsible for is me.  I feel a little selfish, but it's also the right thing to do at this stage in my life. 

I'm just as focused and determined as I was while attending Meredith College, and I want my teaching licensure so bad that I can literally taste it.  I'm on my way to being a classroom teacher, and I very excited about that.

Copyright Lennis Dionne Sample. Creative Commons License Allowed with permission.

Revista de las lecciones pasadas....Review of past lessons

¡A ver!  Let's see!!


Since the first day of class, we've covered TONS of information.  We've covered:

• el abedecedio (el alfabeto aka the alphabet)
• the uses of ser vs. estar
• salutations and greetings and introductory conversation
• the uses of the verb gustar and verbs like them i.e. encantar, interesar, importar, etc
• definite articles when using the verbs like gustar
• me, te, le, nos, os, les
• conjugation
• Verb basics i.e. why verbs are important and what the verb tells us:
• what the action is
• who's performing the action
• when the action is occurring
• Regular vs. Irregular verbs
• the differences
• present tense conjugation of both regular and irregular verbs
• Las emociones (emotions)/los sentimientos (feelings)
• los números (numbers)
• addition/subtraction/multiplication/division
• from 0 to 1000 and beyond
• Las estaciones/los meses/los días (the seasons, months, days of the year)

Whew!!  I know it seems like a lot, but actually you're equipped to hold basic conversations with Spanish speakers.  You're doing great!  

Be sure to check out previous blog postings because there are lessons and videos available!  More to come...hasta luego...

Copyright Lennis Dionne Sample. Creative Commons License Allowed with permission.

¿Qué hora es? What time is it?

Telling Time


When telling the time of day, the word "time" is rendered as "hora".  The verb ser is used along with the definite articles la (for one) or las (for two through twelve).

¿Qué hora es?         What time is it?
Es la una.                 It's one o'clock.
Son las cinco.           It's five o'clock
Requerda!  Remember...
The aforementioned conjugations of the verb form of SER are in the PRESENT TENSE.
yo soy                                                         nosotros somos
tú eres                                                        ellos/ellas/Ustedes son
él/ella/Usted es
Now, minutes after any hour (up to and including the half hour) are added to the hour and connected with y .
Es la una y veinte.                                         It's 1:20.
After the half hour, the minutes are normally subtracted from the following hour and connected with menos...
Es las cuatro menos diez.                            It's 3:50.
However, in everyday usage the tendency is to add the minutes, even past the half hour, just like in English.
Son las dos y treinta y cinco.                         It's 2:35.
Time before the hour may also be expressed with the verb faltar (to be lacking)...
Faltan cinco minutos para las doce.           It's five minutes to twelve.                                                               ORFive minutes are lacking from twelve.
The quarter hour may be expressed either with cuarto (quarter) or quince (fifteen).  The half hour in like manner may be expressed with media (half) or treinta (thirty).
Son las cinco y media/treinta.                    It's 5:30.
Es la una menos cuarto/quince.                 It's 12:45.
To express "at" a certain hour, us a.
A las dos hoy, voy a casa.At two today, I'm going home.
am and fm are expressed as follows:
am = de la mañana (morning)           de la madrugada (the wee hours)          pm = de la tarde (afternoon)           de la noche (night)
Llegamos a la una de la madrugada.We arrived at 1:00 in the morning.
Note:  Por la mañana/tarde/noche is used when no specific time is stated...
Por la tarde, tomo una siesta.                   In the afternoon, I take a nap (siesta).
To express "a little past the hour," use y pico.
Entré en casa a las cinco y pico.I got home at a little past 5:00.
To express "at about" a certain hour, use a eso de...
El tren va a llegar a eso de las dos.The train is going to arrive at about 2:00.
Las expresiones del tiempo...Expressions of time
Past Time:
anoche....................................................last nightanteanoche.............................................the night before lastayer.........................................................yesterdayanteayer..................................................the day before yesterdayayer por la mañana/tarde/noche..........yesterday morning/afternoon/eveningel mes/año pasado.................................last month/year
Present Time:
ahorita....................right nowhoy...........................todayhoy día.....................nowadaysahora.......................nowen este momento.....at this time/momentesta noche...............tonighttodo el día...............all daytodos los días..........everydaytodo el tiempo.........all the time
Future Time:
mañana....................tomorrow (also means morning, but depends on context)mañana por la mañana/tarde/noche...tomorrow morning/afternoon/eveningpasado mañana..................................the day after tomorrowmañana y pasado................................tomorrow and the next dayde ayer en ocho días...........................a week from yesterdaydel (lunes) en ocho días.....................a week from Mondayla semana que viene/próxima............next week 
Recuerda.....Remember!

• You are officially speaking AND reading in Spanish.  

• h (hache) = ALWAYS SILENT

• Pay attention to those accent marks...

           días = dEE-ahs
           próxima = PrO-xi-mah
Revista los números y el alfabeto...review the numbers and the alphabet.

Copyright Lennis Dionne Sample. Creative Commons License Allowed with permission.

Determined to Teach

Today has been a very exciting day for me!  I began tutoring Spanish and met a new student today.  She attends Durham Tech and will be attending UNC Chapel Hill in the near future.  It felt so good to be able to help someone understand the language I love so much.  She's a really nice lady AND she knows people that are struggling in Spanish.  She already passed my information on to one of her friends.


I can teach Spanish forever.  I love it so much and get so excited when I have the opportunity to do so.  One of my greatest desires is to be in the classroom.  I love the classroom environment and have so many ideas about how I see my classroom set up, how I'd teach Spanish, and how I would integrate technology in my class.  


I'm so thankful for the opportunity.  There are some big things happening in my future and I'm preparing myself to receive all that God has for me.  

Copyright Lennis Dionne Sample. Creative Commons License Allowed with permission.

Los Numeros (Numbers)

A Ver!!  Let's see!!


Slowly, I will begin to infuse Spanish into the lessons.  I'll always tell you what I'm saying in both languages.


Today, you will be learning numbers...los numeros!  Watch and listen carefully to the pronunciation and spelling of each of number.

Say the numbers as you watch the video and practice, practice, practice!  See how many numbers you can find in this word search!  



O  C  H  O  C  I  E  N  T  O  S  Y  U
M  U  Q  U  I  N  I  E  N  T  O  S  N
K  D  S  D  A  T  N  E  S  E  S  L  O
Z  E  I  D  O  S  C  I  E  N  T  O  S
C  U  A  T  R  O  C  I  E  N  T  O  S
T  R  E  S  C  I  E  N  T  O  S  C  Z
S  E  I  S  C  I  E  N  T  O  S  H  H
H  X  A  T  N  E  R  A  U  C  D  O  A
S  E  R  T  C  I  N  C  U  E  N  T  A
S  O  T  N  E  I  C  E  T  E  S  O  D
V  A  T  N  E  T  E  S  O  C  N  I  C
N  O  V  E  N  T  A  T  N  I  E  R  T
P  T  S  O  T  N  E  I  C  E  V  O  N

cien	novecientos	setecientos
cinco	noventa	setenta
cincuenta	ocho	treinta
cuarenta	ochocientos	tres
cuatrocientos	quinientos	trescientos
diez	seis	uno
dos	seiscientos
doscientos	sesenta

The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face...

Now that we have an understanding of the Spanish alphabet (el alfabeto), we can move on to the introductions and greetings in Spanish.  Just like in English when meeting someone for the first time or seeing friends, you start off with basic greetings like hello, how are you?  How have you been?  What's up? etc.  Spanish is no different.

In this video, Mr. Jordan is asking questions in an INFORMAL manner.  Meaning, this is conversation that you would have with people you know, friends, family, acquaintances, or people you'd like to know.  

There is a difference in how and who you address.  Please listen to the differences and practice, practice, practice...

Here's your first exercise.  Print and complete the following word search puzzle with all the different ways to greet and introduce yourself in Spanish.  Were you able to find all of them?  

Post your comments and concerns!  

C  E  S  E  R  E  E  D  N  O  D  E  D  F  T  Y  C  P  G  N
D  D  E  S  S  S  S  T  F  I  S  O  U  S  O  H  Y  S  A  N
E  E  W  G  Q  U  E  P  A  S  A  E  N  C  A  N  T  A  D  A
D  T  C  W  D  F  S  T  F  G  C  J  Y  L  L  B  M  B  O  R
O  S  R  D  U  X  T  R  V  Z  S  H  L  N  I  H  C  X  J  P
N  U  N  M  X  C  U  N  X  O  I  B  H  F  E  A  N  J  Y  O
D  A  P  K  U  V  H  Q  N  Q  O  M  A  L  L  E  M  B  A  I
E  T  S  R  I  E  D  Y  O  S  Z  H  T  F  W  Q  F  E  L  M
E  S  Z  C  O  M  O  S  E  L  L  A  M  A  U  S  T  E  D  S
S  E  M  A  M  L  S  E  H  C  O  N  S  A  N  E  U  B  O  E
U  O  K  N  M  V  Q  L  V  Z  T  M  N  Q  Q  Z  W  M  H  O
S  M  J  X  H  D  W  V  C  G  W  B  R  Y  F  C  D  J  J  T
T  O  D  C  A  I  B  F  E  T  N  E  M  L  A  U  G  I  R  S
E  C  Z  B  U  E  N  A  S  T  A  R  D  E  S  D  S  F  Z  U
D  Z  K  T  E  R  B  M  O  N  U  S  S  E  L  A  U  C  O  G
E  U  Q  W  S  A  I  D  S  O  N  E  U  B  D  G  E  D  B  L
S  A  T  S  E  O  M  O  C  L  U  L  A  T  E  U  Q  K  O  E
M  U  C  H  O  G  U  S  T  O  P  M  C  P  E  X  H  J  M  S
Z  Z  O  W  Y  A  M  X  H  O  L  A  M  R  G  Q  O  I  Q  E
C  U  A  L  E  S  T  U  N  O  M  B  R  E  P  U  W  S  I  A

buenas noches	el gusto es mio
buenas tardes	encantada
buenos dias	hola
como estas	igualmente
como esta usted	me llamo
como se llama usted	mucho gusto
cual es su nombre	que pasa
cual es tu nombre	que tal
de donde eres	soy de
de donde es usted

Bringing it all together with El Alfabeto...The Alphabet in Spanish

Let go over the Spanish alphabet by repeating and watching this clip from Plazo Sesamo...Sesame Street in Spanish.  Watch and listen carefully to Elmo as he pronounces the Spanish alphabet...

a = ah...Always "ah", as in words like "chica and nacho. 

b = be.  It makes the same sound in English and Spanish

c = ce, and has two distinctive sounds... s, k.  It makes the "s" sound in words like "cena" (which means dinner in Spanish), and makes the "k" sound like "Carmen".

ch = che.  It makes the same sound in English and Spanish.

d = de.  It makes the same sound in English and Spanish

e = eh..Always "eh", as in words like dinero.

f = efe.  It makes the same sound in English and Spanish

g = ge, and makes two distinctive sounds...a hard "g" sound like in the word "agua", and a softer "g" sound that sounds like the "h" sound in English.  

h = hache (pronounced a-chay in Spanish).  The letter "h" is always, ALWAYSsilent!  You never, under any circumstance, pronounce the letter "h" in Spanish.

i =  ee...Always "ee", as in words like señorita.


j = jota.  The "j" sound in Spanish is always the "h" in English.

k = ka.  It makes the same sound in English and Spanish. 

l= ele.  It makes the same sound in English and Spanish.

ll = elle (pronounced e-yay).  The "ll" is pronounced like the letter "y".  You're already familiar with the double "l" sound.  Me llamo.

m = eme.  It makes the same sound in English and Spanish.

n = ene.  It makes the same sound in English and Spanish.

o = oh...Always "oh", as in words like mucho.

p = pe.  It makes the same sound in English and Spanish.

q = cu.  It makes the same sound in English and Spanish.

r = ere. The "r" sound in Spanish makes the "d" in English.  When a word or name begins with an "r", it's rolled or trilled.  

rr = erre.  This is the rolled or trilled "r" sound.

s = ese.  It makes the same sound in English and Spanish.

t = te.  It makes the same sound in English and Spanish.

u = oo...Almost always "oo", as in words like mucho.

v = be.  The letter "v" in Spanish makes the "b" sound.

w = doble oo.  It makes the same sound in English and Spanish.

x = equis (pronounced e-kiss).  It makes the same sound in English and Spanish.

y = y griega (pronounced ee-gree-ay-gah)  It makes the same sound in English and Spanish.

z = ceta (pronounced seta).  The letter "z" in Spanish sounds like the letter "s" in both English and Spanish.

Let's Review!!

Let's review with a little twist!  You never know what I'm gonna do, so pay close attention!  


a = ah...Always "ah", as in words like "chica and nacho. 


e = eh..Always "eh", as in words like dinero.


i =  ee...Always "ee", as in words like señorita.


o = oh...Always "oh", as in words like mucho.


u = oo...Almost always "oo", as in words like mucho.



Now, just so you get an understanding of the sounds and pronunciation of the vowel sounds here's a clip from Plazo Sesamo.  Plazo Sesamo translates to Sesame Street in Spanish and is geared towards children, but the lessons are fun and easy to catch on to.  Don't worry about not understanding everything, but instead focus on the vowel sounds and pronunciations.



So now, let's watch Lola y las vocales (Lola and vowels!)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7eNhdngYnI

Moving Beyond the Vowels

We've started off by learning the vowels, so now we'll move into learning the rest of the alphabet.  Let's review the vowels first!  Remember:


a = ah...Always "ah", as in words like "chica and nacho. 


e = eh..Always "eh", as in words like dinero.


i =  ee...Always "ee", as in words like señorita.


o = oh...Always "oh", as in words like mucho.


u = oo...Almost always "oo", as in words like mucho.



Now, let's add more to what we've already learned!  I'll start from the letter "a" and incorporate the Spanish pronunciation of each letter.  The new material will be bolded for you.  Remember, Spanish pronunciation is short and tense, and you'll be utilizing what you've ALREADY learned in the pronunciation of the rest of the Spanish alphabet.  


a = ah...Always "ah", as in words like "chica and nacho. 



b = be.  It makes the same sound in English and Spanish


c = ce, and has two distinctive sounds... s, k.  It makes the "s" sound in words like "cena" (which means dinner in Spanish), and makes the "k" sound like "Carmen".


ch = che.  It makes the same sound in English and Spanish.


d = de.  It makes the same sound in English and Spanish


e = eh..Always "eh", as in words like dinero.



f = efe.  It makes the same sound in English and Spanish


g = ge, and makes two distinctive sounds...a hard "g" sound like in the word "agua", and a softer "g" sound that sounds like the "h" sound in English.  


h = hache (pronounced a-chay in Spanish).  The letter "h" is always, ALWAYS silent!  You never, under any circumstance, pronounce the letter "h" in Spanish.


i =  ee...Always "ee", as in words like señorita.


j = jota.  The "j" sound in Spanish is always the "h" in English.


k = ka.  It makes the same sound in English and Spanish. 


l= ele.  It makes the same sound in English and Spanish.


ll = elle (pronounced e-yay).  The "ll" is pronounced like the letter "y".  You're already familiar with the double "l" sound.  Me llamo.


m = eme.  It makes the same sound in English and Spanish.


n = ene.  It makes the same sound in English and Spanish.


o = oh...Always "oh", as in words like mucho.


p = pe.  It makes the same sound in English and Spanish.


q = cu.  It makes the same sound in English and Spanish.


r = ere. The "r" sound in Spanish makes the "d" in English.  When a word or name begins with an "r", it's rolled or trilled.  


rr = erre.  This is the rolled or trilled "r" sound.


s = ese.  It makes the same sound in English and Spanish.


t = te.  It makes the same sound in English and Spanish.

u = oo...Almost always "oo", as in words like mucho.

v = be.  The letter "v" in Spanish makes the "b" sound.

w = doble oo.  It makes the same sound in English and Spanish.

x = equis (pronounced e-kiss).  It makes the same sound in English and Spanish.

y = y griega (pronounced ee-gree-ay-gah)  It makes the same sound in English and Spanish.

z = ceta (pronounced seta).  The letter "z" in Spanish sounds like the letter "s" in both English and Spanish.

I know this is a lot of information.  Don't hesitate to ask questions.  You're doing great and remember to practice, practice, practice!

Exception to the Rule

Yesterday we began learning the fundamentals of the Spanish language...the alphabet.  We began with the Spanish vowels because they are easy and hardly ever change their sound.  The Spanish alphabet is short and tense.  Let's review!


a = ah...Always "ah", as in words like "chica and nacho. 


e = eh..Always "eh", as in words like dinero.


i =  ee...Always "ee", as in words like señorita.


o = oh...Always "oh", as in words like mucho.


u = oo...Almost always "oo", as in words like mucho.


Notice I said that the Spanish letter "u" ALMOST always sounds like "oo".  There is an exception to this rule.  Don't worry, I'll take it slow and we'll review often.  


Ok, most of the time the Spanish letter "u" will follow the basic sound of "oo", as in words like mucho, however notice that the letter is between 2 consonants.  When the word has "qui", "que", "gui", or "gue", the letter "u" will fade into the background and become silent.   Let's look at some examples using some Spanish words and phrases that you're already familiar with.

Take the following question: 

¿Qué pasa? >>>>>>>>"que">>>>>>>>>>"eh" sound

Notice that the "u" is paired with an "e", yet you don't hear the "oo" sound at all.  The only sound you hear is the "eh" sound from the "e".  

Have you ever read this book?

Don Quijote >>>>>>"qui">>>>>>>>>>>"ee" sound

Notice that the "u" is paired with an "i", yet you don't hear the "oo" sound at all.  The only sound you hear is the "ee" sound from the "i".  

This same concept holds true for words that contain "g" plus "ue" or "ui", like in words such as:

guitarra           OR         guerra

You're doing great!  

Now, there are certain instances when the “u”, when combined with “gu + e” or “gu + i ” is not silent: it must be pronounced. We must pronounce the “u” when there are 2 dots over the letter "u" called a dieresis (ü).  

Examples include:

bilingüe                         güiro

Whew!  I know that learning all this information can be a little overwhelming, but don't worry.  We will review often.  Be sure to review the information you've just learned on a regular basis.  

Remember that practice makes improvement!