Maleta ListaTravel and Everyday Survival Spanish

Goals: Greet people at any time of day, choose between usted, tú and vos, ask people to repeat or slow down, spell your name, use numbers from 0 to 100. Choose your track.

Key vocabulary

• hola (hi)
• buen día / buenos días (good morning; AR "buen día", ES/MX "buenos días")
• buenas tardes (good afternoon)
• buenas noches (good evening, good night)
• por favor (please)
• gracias (thank you)
• perdón (sorry, excuse me)
• disculpe (excuse me, formal)
• repetir (to repeat)
• despacio (slowly)
• deletrear (to spell)
• el nombre (first name)
• el apellido (surname)
• el número (number)

Key structures

• ¿Puede + infinitive? → ¿Puede repetir? ¿Puede hablar más despacio?
• Me llamo... / Mi apellido se escribe...
• The three "you" forms: usted puede (formal, everywhere), tú puedes (ES, MX), vos podés (AR).

Variety notes: When they did not hear something, Mexicans often say "¿Mande?", Argentines say "¿Cómo?" or "¿Perdón?", and Spaniards say "¿Perdona?" or "¿Cómo?". In Spain, "vosotros" is the informal plural; Latin America uses "ustedes" for every plural.

Speaking task: Introduce yourself to a hotel receptionist (the teacher), spell your surname and ask them to repeat a phone number. Then have a short chat in Spanish about your trip so you and your teacher can choose your track.

Track twist: Guest: say where you are going and why. Host: say where you work and who your visitors are.

Homework: Record a one-minute introduction. Fill in the journal page "Mi viaje". Practise the numbers 0 to 100 with the audio script.

Goals: Answer the usual immigration questions, find your bags, report a missing suitcase, find the exit and the money exchange.

Key vocabulary

• el pasaporte (passport)
• el vuelo (flight)
• la puerta de embarque (boarding gate)
• Migraciones (immigration; AR) / control de pasaportes (ES)
• la aduana (customs)
• el equipaje (luggage)
• la valija / la maleta (suitcase; AR "valija", ES/MX "maleta")
• el equipaje de mano (hand luggage)
• la cinta / la banda (baggage belt; MX "banda")
• el formulario (form)
• la reserva (booking)
• el motivo del viaje (purpose of the trip)
• la conexión (connecting flight)
• la llegada (arrival)
• la salida (exit, departure)

Key structures

• Vengo de vacaciones / por trabajo.
• Me quedo + time → Me quedo diez días.
• Me alojo en + place → Me alojo en el Hotel Sol.
• Present tense, first person: vengo, tengo, me quedo, me alojo.

Speaking task: Role-play an immigration officer asking six typical questions (purpose, length of stay, address, return ticket, occupation, first visit). Then report a missing suitcase at the airline counter.

Track twist: Guest: report the lost bag. Host: welcome a group at arrivals ("¡Bienvenidos! Síganme, por favor. El transfer está afuera.").

Homework: Write your own answers to the six officer questions. Scenario cards 1 to 3.

Goals: Take a taxi and agree on the price, use a ride app, buy and top up a transport card, ask which bus or train to take, and ask where to get off.

Key vocabulary

• el taxi (taxi)
• la app (ride app)
• el remís (pre-booked car with driver; AR)
• la dirección (address)
• el colectivo / el autobús / el camión (bus; AR / ES / MX)
• el subte / el metro (underground; AR "subte", ES/MX "metro")
• la parada (stop)
• la estación (station)
• el boleto / el billete (ticket; AR/MX "boleto", ES "billete")
• la tarjeta (transport card)
• cargar (to top up)
• subirse (to get on)
• bajarse (to get off)
• el vuelto / el cambio (change; AR "vuelto", ES/MX "cambio")
• la tarifa (fare)

Key structures

• ¿Me lleva a...? (Can you take me to...?)
• ¿Qué colectivo / autobús / camión va a...?
• ¿Dónde me bajo para ir a...?
• Use "tomar" for transport: tomar el colectivo, tomar un taxi.

Variety notes: In Spain "coger el autobús" is normal, but in Argentina and Mexico "coger" is vulgar, so use "tomar" everywhere. Most big cities use a rechargeable transport card (in Argentina the card is called SUBE), so ask where to buy and top it up.

Speaking task: Take a taxi from the airport to your hotel: give the address, ask the price, pay and ask for change. Then buy a card at a station kiosk and ask which line goes to the centre.

Track twist: Guest: ride as a passenger. Host: explain to a visitor how to get from the airport to the hotel.

Homework: Scenario cards 4 and 5. Listen to audio script 3 and note every place name.

Goals: Ask where something is, understand directions in usted, tú and vos forms, give simple directions and use a map.

Key vocabulary

• derecho / recto (straight on; ES "todo recto")
• a la derecha (to the right)
• a la izquierda (to the left)
• la cuadra (block; AR/MX; ES uses "calle": "a dos calles")
• la esquina (corner)
• el semáforo (traffic light)
• enfrente de (opposite)
• al lado de (next to)
• entre (between)
• cerca (near)
• lejos (far)
• la vereda / la acera / la banqueta (pavement; AR / ES / MX)
• cruzar (to cross)
• doblar / girar (to turn; AR/MX "doblar", ES "girar")
• la plaza (square)

Key structures

• ¿Dónde queda...? / ¿Dónde está...? / ¿Cómo llego a...?
• Está a + distance → Está a tres cuadras. Está a cinco minutos.
• Instructions: usted "siga, doble, cruce"; tú "sigue, dobla, cruza"; vos "seguí, doblá, cruzá".

Speaking task: Work through Map Dialogue 1 (in the PDF). Then give the teacher directions from your hotel to a café on the map.

Track twist: Guest: follow the directions. Host: give directions to a lost tourist.

Homework: Listen to the audio for Map Dialogue 1 and trace the route. Scenario card 6.

Goals: Check in, ask about breakfast, wifi and check-out, and report a problem in the room.

Key vocabulary

• la habitación / el cuarto (room; MX often "cuarto")
• la llave (key)
• la tarjeta de la habitación (key card)
• el desayuno (breakfast)
• la clave del wifi (wifi password; ES "contraseña")
• el ascensor / el elevador (lift; MX "elevador")
• la toalla (towel)
• la ducha (shower)
• el aire acondicionado (air conditioning)
• la calefacción (heating)
• la recepción (reception)
• el piso (floor; in ES "piso" also means flat)
• la cama matrimonial / doble (double bed)
• la pileta / la piscina / la alberca (swimming pool; AR / ES / MX)
• registrarse (to check in)

Key structures

• Tengo una reserva a nombre de...
• ¿A qué hora es el desayuno / el check-out?
• ¿Está incluido el desayuno?
• El aire acondicionado no funciona. / No hay agua caliente.

Speaking task: Check in, ask four questions, then call reception to report two problems and ask for a fix.

Track twist: Guest: check in. Host: run the reception desk, including one guest whose booking cannot be found.

Homework: Scenario cards 7 and 8. Write the week 1 journal page.

Goals: Order breakfast and snacks, ask prices, say whether you are eating in or taking away, and understand the most common café words.

Key vocabulary

• el café con leche (white coffee)
• el cortado (espresso with a little milk)
• la lágrima (mostly milk with a drop of coffee; AR)
• el té (tea)
• el jugo / el zumo (juice; ES "zumo")
• la medialuna / el cruasán (croissant; AR / ES)
• las facturas (sweet pastries; AR; also means "invoice")
• el tostado (toasted sandwich; AR)
• la tostada (toast)
• la manteca / la mantequilla (butter; AR / ES, MX)
• la mermelada (jam)
• el azúcar (sugar)
• el endulzante (sweetener)
• para llevar (to take away)
• para tomar acá (to have here)

Key structures

• Quisiera... / ¿Me da...? / Para mí...
• In Spain, "¿Me pones un café?" is normal and not rude at a bar.
• Prices: ¿Cuánto es? Son tres mil pesos. Son cuatro euros con cincuenta.

Variety notes: In Mexico, look for "pan dulce" (sweet bread) such as "conchas". In Argentina, "facturas" at a bakery means pastries, not bills.

Speaking task: Order breakfast for two, change part of the order and pay.

Track twist: Guest: order. Host: take the order and suggest something typical.

Homework: Scenario card 9. Write your perfect breakfast order in Spanish.

Goals: Ask for a table, understand a menu, order a full meal, ask how your steak will be cooked, and ask for the bill and pay the tip.

Key vocabulary

• la mesa (table)
• la carta / el menú (menu; MX "el menú")
• el mozo / el camarero / el mesero (waiter; AR / ES / MX)
• la entrada (starter)
• el plato principal (main course)
• el postre (dessert)
• la bebida (drink)
• el vino tinto / blanco (red / white wine)
• el menú del día / el menú ejecutivo (set lunch; ES / AR)
• la cuenta (bill)
• la propina (tip)
• el cubierto (cover charge, bread and service; AR)
• jugoso (rare; AR)
• a punto (medium)
• bien cocido (well done)

Key structures

• ¿Me trae...? / ¿Nos trae...?
• ¿Qué me recomienda?
• Para mí... y para ella...
• Estuvo riquísimo. (It was delicious.)

Variety notes: How you want your steak cooked: AR "jugoso / a punto / cocido"; ES "poco hecho / al punto / muy hecho"; MX "término rojo / medio / tres cuartos / bien cocido". Tipping habits change by country. In Argentina a tip of around 10% is usual. Your teacher explains what to expect at your destination.

Speaking task: Do a full meal role-play: arrive, order, change something, ask for the bill and pay.

Track twist: Guest: dine. Host: wait on the table and explain two dishes.

Homework: Scenario cards 10 and 12. Read a real menu from your destination and pick a meal.

Goals: Explain an allergy or diet clearly, ask what is in a dish and ask for changes.

Key vocabulary

• la alergia (allergy)
• alérgico / alérgica (allergic)
• celíaco / celíaca (coeliac)
• sin TACC / sin gluten (gluten free; AR label "sin TACC")
• el maní / el cacahuete / el cacahuate (peanut; AR / ES / MX)
• los frutos secos / las nueces (nuts; AR, ES / MX)
• los mariscos (shellfish, seafood)
• la lactosa (lactose)
• el huevo (egg)
• vegetariano / vegetariana (vegetarian)
• vegano / vegana (vegan)
• picante (spicy)
• el ají / la guindilla / el chile (chilli; AR / ES / MX)
• el cerdo (pork)
• la carne (meat; in AR it often means beef)

Key structures

• Soy alérgico / alérgica a...
• ¿Esto lleva...? / ¿Tiene...?
• No puedo comer... / ¿Lo pueden hacer sin...?
• Es muy importante. Si como..., me hace muy mal.

Variety notes: In Argentina, packaged food that is safe for coeliacs is labelled "Sin TACC" (TACC stands for wheat, oats, barley and rye). In Mexico, "picante" can be very hot, so ask "¿Pica mucho?"

Speaking task: Explain your allergy or diet (a real one or an invented one) to three different people: a waiter, a market seller and a friend's host. Then read a menu and ask about two dishes.

Track twist: Guest: explain the need. Host: check with the kitchen and offer a safe option.

Homework: Write your personal allergy card in Spanish (template in the PDF). Scenario card 11.

Goals: Buy by weight and quantity, ask for a size, try clothes on, and bargain politely where it is normal.

Key vocabulary

• la feria / el mercado (street market / market; AR "feria")
• el kilo / medio kilo (a kilo / half a kilo)
• la docena (dozen)
• la verdura (vegetables)
• la frutilla / la fresa (strawberry; AR / ES, MX)
• la palta / el aguacate (avocado; AR / ES, MX)
• el durazno / el melocotón (peach; AR, MX / ES)
• la papa / la patata (potato; AR, MX / ES)
• el talle / la talla (clothing size; AR / ES, MX)
• el probador (fitting room)
• barato (cheap)
• caro (expensive)
• el descuento (discount)
• regatear (to bargain)
• la artesanía (handicrafts)

Key structures

• ¿Cuánto sale? (AR) / ¿Cuánto cuesta? (everywhere)
• ¿Me da medio kilo de...?
• este / ese / aquel (this / that / that one over there)
• ¿Me hace un precio? / ¿Y si llevo dos?

Variety notes: Bargaining is more common at craft markets in Mexico, happens now and then at Argentine street fairs, and is rare in shops in Spain. Your teacher shows you how to ask in a friendly way.

Speaking task: Shop at three stalls: a fruit stall, a clothes shop (size and fitting room) and a craft stall where you bargain.

Track twist: Guest: buy. Host: sell, and explain the product to a tourist.

Homework: Scenario cards 13 to 15. Write a shopping list in Spanish for a picnic.

Goals: Pay by cash, card or phone, deal with large numbers, ask about fees and discounts, and solve a cash machine problem.

Key vocabulary

• el efectivo (cash)
• la tarjeta de débito / de crédito (debit / credit card)
• el cajero automático (cash machine)
• la casa de cambio (bureau de change)
• el billete (banknote)
• la moneda (coin)
• en cuotas / a plazos / a meses (in instalments; AR / ES / MX)
• el recibo / el ticket (receipt)
• la factura (invoice)
• la comisión (fee)
• el recargo (surcharge)
• la transferencia (bank transfer)
• pagar con el celular (to pay by phone)
• el PIN (PIN)

Key structures

• ¿Aceptan tarjeta? / Pago en efectivo.
• ¿Hay descuento por pago en efectivo? ¿Hay recargo con tarjeta?
• Big numbers: mil, diez mil, cien mil, un millón.

Variety notes: In Argentina prices are often large numbers, and some shops offer a discount for cash. Always confirm the total out loud: "¿Son quince mil, no?"

Speaking task: Make three payments (café, shop, taxi), then explain to a bank clerk that the cash machine did not give you your money.

Track twist: Guest: pay. Host: take payments and explain the options.

Homework: Scenario card 16. Write the week 2 journal page.

Goals: Introduce yourself, ask where people are from, talk about work, retirement and family, and keep a short chat going.

Key vocabulary

• el país (country)
• la ciudad (city)
• jubilado / jubilada (retired)
• el trabajo (work, job)
• la familia (family)
• los hijos (children)
• los nietos (grandchildren)
• viajar (to travel)
• vivir (to live)
• conocer (to get to know, to visit a place)
• la primera vez (the first time)
• mucho gusto (nice to meet you)
• encantado / encantada (delighted to meet you)
• che (hey; AR, informal)

Key structures

• ¿De dónde sos? (AR) / ¿De dónde eres? (ES, MX) / ¿De dónde es usted?
• ¿A qué te dedicás? (AR) / ¿A qué te dedicas? (ES, MX)
• Hace + time + que... → Hace tres años que estoy jubilado.
• Es mi primera vez en...

Variety notes: Greeting with a kiss on the cheek is common: one kiss in Argentina (often between men who know each other too), two in Spain, and one or a handshake in Mexico.

Speaking task: Have a five-minute chat with the person in the next seat on a bus or plane, keeping it going with follow-up questions.

Track twist: Guest: chat as a visitor. Host: break the ice with a group of new guests.

Homework: Scenario card 17. Record a two-minute "about me".

Goals: Talk about the weather, tell the time, make and change plans, and suggest activities.

Key vocabulary

• hace calor / hace frío (it is hot / cold)
• llueve (it is raining)
• está nublado (it is cloudy)
• el pronóstico (forecast)
• el verano / el invierno (summer / winter)
• la primavera / el otoño (spring / autumn)
• el fin de semana (weekend)
• mañana (tomorrow)
• pasado mañana (the day after tomorrow)
• a la mañana / por la mañana (in the morning; AR / ES, MX)
• ¿a qué hora? (at what time?)
• juntarse / quedar (to meet up; AR / ES, MX)
• dale / vale / va (OK, sure; AR / ES / MX)

Key structures

• ir a + infinitive → Mañana voy a ir al museo.
• ¿Te parece si...? / ¿Qué tal si...?
• Nos vemos a las ocho en...

Variety notes: The seasons are reversed in the Southern Hemisphere. In Argentina, December is summer and July is winter.

Speaking task: Plan a day trip with a friend based on the forecast, then change the plan because of the rain.

Track twist: Guest: make plans. Host: suggest activities to suit the weather.

Homework: Scenario card 18. Read a forecast for your destination in Spanish and report it in the next class.

Goals: Accept and decline invitations politely, ask what to bring, and know what to say at a meal in someone's home.

Key vocabulary

• la invitación (invitation)
• invitar (to invite)
• el asado (barbecue; AR)
• el mate (mate, a shared herbal drink; AR)
• la sobremesa (long chat at the table after a meal)
• traer (to bring)
• el postre (dessert)
• ¿Qué llevo? (What should I bring?)
• con gusto (gladly)
• la próxima (next time)
• ¡Salud! (Cheers!)
• ¡Buen provecho! (Enjoy your meal!)
• brindar (to make a toast)

Key structures

• ¿Querés venir...? (AR) / ¿Quieres venir...? (ES, MX)
• Me encantaría. / Lo siento, no puedo porque...
• Gracias por invitarme. Estuvo todo buenísimo.

Variety notes: When you are offered mate in Argentina, saying "gracias" as you hand it back means you do not want any more. In Spain, people often make plans with "¿Quedamos?".

Speaking task: Accept one invitation, decline another politely, then arrive at a dinner and make a toast.

Track twist: Guest: be the guest. Host: invite tour guests to a group dinner and explain the plan.

Homework: Scenario card 19. Write a thank-you message to a host.

Goals: Book a tour or activity, ask about times, prices and what is included, and ask the guide questions.

Key vocabulary

• la excursión (excursion, day trip)
• la visita guiada (guided tour)
• el guía / la guía (guide)
• el punto de encuentro (meeting point)
• la entrada (ticket for a museum or show)
• reservar (to book)
• cancelar (to cancel)
• el horario (timetable, opening hours)
• la duración (length)
• incluye (it includes)
• el traslado (transfer)
• el museo (museum)
• el barrio (neighbourhood)
• la vista (view)
• sacar una foto (to take a photo; MX "tomar una foto")

Key structures

• ¿A qué hora sale...? / ¿Cuánto dura?
• ¿Qué incluye? / ¿Está incluido el traslado?
• ¿Se puede + infinitive? → ¿Se puede sacar fotos?

Speaking task: Book a tour by phone, then ask the guide five questions during the visit.

Track twist: Guest: book and ask. Host: give a three-minute tour of your own town.

Homework: Scenario card 20. Map Dialogue 2.

Goals: Ask locals for recommendations, compare options and give your opinion.

Key vocabulary

• recomendar (to recommend)
• el lugar (place)
• típico (typical)
• auténtico (authentic)
• turístico (touristy)
• tranquilo (quiet)
• lindo / bonito (nice, pretty; AR, MX / ES)
• rico (tasty)
• vale la pena (it is worth it)
• imperdible (a must-see)
• la zona (area)
• el bodegón (traditional, homely restaurant; AR)
• la parrilla (steakhouse; AR)
• me encanta (I love it)
• prefiero (I prefer)

Key structures

• ¿Qué me recomendás? (AR) / ¿Qué me recomiendas? (ES, MX) / ¿Qué me recomienda?
• ¿Vale la pena ir a...?
• Comparisons: más tranquilo que..., el más típico de...
• Para mí, lo mejor es...

Speaking task: Interview the teacher as a local about food, places and areas to avoid. Then recommend three things about your own city.

Track twist: Guest: ask. Host: recommend, adapting to the visitor's age and interests.

Homework: Scenario card 21. Write the week 3 journal page.

Goals: Report a lost or stolen item, describe it, and make a police report.

Key vocabulary

• perder (to lose)
• olvidar (to forget, to leave behind)
• robar (to steal)
• la billetera / la cartera (wallet; AR, MX / ES)
• el celular / el móvil (mobile phone; AR, MX / ES)
• la mochila (backpack)
• los documentos (documents)
• la comisaría (police station)
• la denuncia (police report)
• objetos perdidos (lost property)
• el consulado (consulate)
• la embajada (embassy)
• de cuero (leather)
• adentro (inside)

Key structures

• Preterite: perdí, dejé, me robaron (AR, MX).
• Spain often uses the present perfect: he perdido, me han robado.
• Describing an item: Es negra, de cuero, y adentro tiene...
• Quiero hacer una denuncia.

Speaking task: Ask for a lost bag at a café, then make a police report describing what happened and what was inside.

Track twist: Guest: report. Host: help a tourist who has lost their passport (calming them down, explaining the steps).

Homework: Scenario card 22. Write a description of your own bag and its contents.

Goals: Describe symptoms, buy medicine, book an appointment and understand simple instructions.

Key vocabulary

• la farmacia (pharmacy)
• el médico / la médica (doctor)
• la guardia / urgencias (emergency room; AR / ES, MX)
• el turno / la cita (appointment; AR / ES, MX)
• la receta (prescription)
• el remedio / el medicamento (medicine)
• la cabeza (head)
• el estómago (stomach)
• la garganta (throat)
• la fiebre (fever)
• la tos (cough)
• mareado / mareada (dizzy)
• el seguro de viaje (travel insurance)
• la presión (blood pressure)

Key structures

• Me duele + singular / Me duelen + plural → Me duele la cabeza. Me duelen los pies.
• Tengo fiebre / tos.
• Desde hace + time → Desde hace dos días.
• ¿Cada cuántas horas lo tomo?

Speaking task: Ask for advice at a pharmacy, then explain your symptoms to a doctor and repeat the instructions back.

Track twist: Guest: be the patient. Host: help a guest who feels unwell and take them to a pharmacy.

Homework: Scenario cards 23 and 24. Write your medicines and any allergies in Spanish.

Goals: Buy a SIM card and top it up, block a card, visit a bank, send a parcel and handle queues and opening hours.

Key vocabulary

• el banco (bank)
• la cuenta (bank account; also "the bill")
• la sucursal (branch)
• la ventanilla (counter)
• bloquear la tarjeta (to block the card)
• el chip / la tarjeta SIM (SIM card; AR, MX / ES)
• cargar saldo (to top up credit)
• el plan de datos (data plan)
• el correo / Correos (post office; AR, MX / ES)
• el paquete (parcel)
• el lavadero / la lavandería (laundry; AR / ES, MX)
• el horario de atención (opening hours)
• el documento (ID)
• hacer la fila / hacer cola (to queue; AR, MX / ES)

Key structures

• Necesito + noun / infinitive.
• ¿Qué tengo que hacer para...?
• tener que + infinitive → Tiene que mostrar el pasaporte.
• ¿Dónde firmo?

Speaking task: Buy a SIM card with data, call your bank to block a card and post a parcel home.

Track twist: Guest: run the errands. Host: explain to a new expat where and how to do each one.

Homework: Plan three errands for your first day abroad and write what you will say.

Goals: Complain politely and firmly, escalate when needed, and reach a solution.

Key vocabulary

• el problema (problem)
• la queja (complaint)
• el reclamo / la reclamación (formal complaint; AR, MX / ES)
• el encargado / la encargada (manager)
• cobrar de más (to overcharge)
• la devolución (refund)
• devolver (to give back, to refund)
• cambiar (to change, to exchange)
• sucio (dirty)
• roto (broken)
• frío (cold, of food)
• tarde (late)
• la solución (solution)
• disculpas (apologies)
• amable (kind)

Key structures

• Softeners: Disculpe, pero... / Lamentablemente...
• Conditional for politeness: Quisiera... / ¿Podría...? / ¿Sería posible...?
• Me gustaría hablar con el encargado.

Speaking task: Work through three complaints, each going up a step: a cold dish (polite), an overcharge (firm), a noisy room (escalate to the manager and agree on a fix).

Track twist: Guest: complain. Host: receive the complaint, apologise ("Le pido disculpas") and offer a solution.

Homework: Scenario card 25. Prepare for the final role-play by reviewing your journal.

Goals: Put the whole course together in one continuous role-play, then tell the story of your day in the past tense.

Key vocabulary

• el itinerario (itinerary)
• la mañana (morning)
• el mediodía (midday)
• la tarde (afternoon)
• la noche (night)
• primero (first)
• después (afterwards)
• luego (then)
• al final (in the end)
• por último (finally)
• ¡Qué bueno! (How great!)
• ¡Qué lástima! (What a pity!)
• ¡Buen viaje! (Have a good trip!)

Key structures

• Preterite to tell the story: fui, llegué, comí, vi, compré, perdí.
• Linking words: primero, después, luego, al final.

Speaking task: About 40 minutes of non-stop role-play on the course map. The teacher plays every other character: you leave the hotel, take a taxi, have breakfast at a café, ask for directions, shop at the market, solve a surprise problem (lost item or health), accept a dinner invitation and make one complaint. Then spend two minutes telling the story of your day without notes.

Track twist: Host track students do the same day as the professional: meet a guest, guide them, solve their problem and handle a complaint.

Homework: Write the final journal entry: "Mi día en la ciudad". Your teacher shares feedback and suggested next steps, and you receive your certificate of completion.