Learn Spanish. Build a vocabulary of 1,500 of the most common words and phrases.
Suggested by: Coursera (What is Coursera?)
No prior knowledge required
No unnecessary risks
Spanish is the second most spoken language in the world, after Mandarin, and it is used more and more every day.
This specialization is designed for beginners who may have no experience learning a second language, but want to know how to read, write, and speak Spanish for personal use, travel, or business, or simply want to learn another language and increase their cultural awareness.
The thematic approach of each course allows students to develop a vocabulary that will build the foundation for a broad understanding of the language.
The specialization includes 4 courses that gradually build on the skills learned previously, and ends with a project that allows students to apply their knowledge and language skills.
Students will demonstrate the vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation skills learned in each course through:
At the end of the internship, students will prepare a written travel plan that will take you to a Spanish-speaking country from the pre- or post-Columbian period for an extended period, for a business trip or vacation.
¡Hola! ¿Cómo Estás? In this beginner-level course, you’ll take the first step toward exploring the basics of Spanish grammar and pronunciation, and begin to build a vocabulary of common Spanish words and phrases. You’ll be able to talk about yourself, your family, and your friends in the present tense, and begin to explore the cultural context of the Spanish-speaking world through a series of videos and interactive activities, including speaking, reading, and writing exercises. The adventure begins here, so ¡vámanos!
¡Bienvenidos! The second course in this specialization will build on the basic vocabulary you learned in the first course, and you will begin to develop the skills needed to express your likes and dislikes both orally and in writing. You will also begin to explore some of the common cultural experiences of the Spanish-speaking world by visiting a market. A series of interactive activities and videos will provide opportunities for practice and further exploration of the cultural context of this world.
Ready for the big game? Building on the vocabulary and skills you’ve already acquired, the third course in this specialization will introduce new vocabulary that will prepare you to discuss sports, hobbies, and politics—important cultural elements in the Spanish-speaking world. You’ll also add new vocabulary related to travel and living arrangements. This course also introduces the progressive and past tenses, and adds auxiliary verbs to your vocabulary.
¡Hola! This course will introduce new vocabulary in the areas of food, fashion, professions, and careers, and will get you very close to the 500-word threshold in basic Spanish. The course will also introduce the present perfect and the future tense so you can start talking about future events, things you want to achieve, and professional goals. This is the final course before you take on a project that showcases your mastery of basic Spanish grammar and vocabulary.
In this course, we will imagine that you are applying for a fully funded educational trip to a Spanish-speaking country of your choice. You will introduce yourself to the host family you will be staying with, research the rich culture and history of the place you plan to visit and compare it to your own country, and plan a schedule of places you would like to visit and things you would like to do and experience during your visit. In addition, you will summarize the main points of your written report in an oral presentation. This course is a challenge and aims to test everything you have learned in the Spanish Vocabulary Specialization. It is a great way to check what you know and what you still need to improve in your Spanish learning.
