YOUR PASSPORT TO CONNECTION · JOURNAL 1
Begin with the sounds. Build a sentence around a verb. Then recognize those same pieces in a short story.
✳ A note from your teacher: This is a guide to a system, not a list to memorize. Add words from your own life as you go.
THE FIELD GUIDE · JOURNAL 01BRAVO ESPAÑOL · YOUR PASSPORT TO CONNECTION
Hear it, try it, then use it in a sentence of your own.
LISTEN YOUR WAY
The alphabet uses Beth’s own recording, including the letters in your name. For other prompts, we’ll prioritize Spanish (US), choosing a female US voice when your browser offers one.
Checking your browser for Spanish voices…
01 / THE SOUNDS & THE WORDS
Listen, repeat, and notice what changes. Spanish spelling is much more predictable when you learn its sounds first.
SOUND LAB
Tap a letter to hear Beth pronounce its Spanish name. Say it back out loud.
ge roughly “hey” with a short, steady vowelIts name begins with a breathy sound, as in gente. In gato, the g sounds different.
hache roughly “AH-chay” with a short, steady vowelThe letter has a name, but the h in hola is silent.
Choose a letter to begin.
SAY IT YOURSELF
Try the introduction, then tap through the letters of your name.
Another option: Le presento a Elena is more formal. You might hear encantado or encantada in place of mucho gusto.
HEAR · GUESS · REVEAL
A year, a price, an address: bigger numbers become easier in pieces.
WORDS AROUND YOU
Tap a card to see and hear the phrase. Notice un or una and where the color goes.
Make it personal: Write three objects you actually use. “Una libreta roja” is more memorable when the red notebook is yours.
02 / THE ENGINE OF A SENTENCE
Start with who is speaking and what they do or want. Then add details. You don't need a perfect sentence to begin a real conversation.
HIGH-FREQUENCY LANGUAGE
Seven useful meaning patterns you will see again and again.
The five changing verbs below fit the six-pronoun box. Hay is impersonal (“there is/are”); gustar works differently (“something is pleasing to someone”).
YOUR REFERENCE CARD
Read down for person; look across for singular and plural. Choose a verb to see its forms.
BUILD IT YOUR WAY
Choose the pieces. The verb changes with the person; the extra details make it yours.
Tengo una libreta roja.
I have a red notebook.
A TEACHER'S NOTE
Jorge es buena onda.
Jorge is a good person / easy to get along with.Jorge está en la cafetería.
Jorge is at the café.Cultural note: Buena onda is a common informal expression in Mexico. It tells you something about Jorge's personality, so use ser. You'll hear other ways of saying it in other places.
QUICK CHECK
“We want a green cup today.” Choose the Spanish sentence.
Choose one to check your sentence.
03 / PUT IT TOGETHER
Hear a little Spanish in context. Read once for the gist, then reveal the English only when you need it.
HISTORIA CORTA · 01
CHECK WHAT YOU UNDERSTOOD
Choose an answer for each question.
Change one detail in the story to make it yours. Where would you go? What do you want?
Voy a una cafetería. Quiero un té verde.