StudySpanish.com

Querido Lector,

Hola! So, it is time to start posting some resources here, and the first resource to make its way to Hablamos Ahora is the website StudySpanish.com. This is a website that I encountered back in 2007 when I was observing at Abilene High school (Abilene, TX).

StudySpanish.com is a great resource and is very user friendly. This makes it ideal to implement in the classroom whenever you have access to a computer lab big enough to take your entire class. It is broken down into Vocabulary, Grammar, Pronunciation and Verb Drills. Each of these sections is further broken down into units, and at the end up each unit there is an optional quiz. Some of the sections also offer a test as well. These can be used as actual grades, or just as practice before a quiz/test in your class. The site is very straightforward, and is a good way for students to be exposed to the material in a different way. This website contains a good deal of information and easily covers all of the material that would be covered in a Spanish I class, as well as some of what would be covered in a Spanish II class.

I particularly like this site because it is very usable in the classroom. I would use this in my classroom after teaching a unit to give reinforcement. For example, after teaching how to conjugate present tense verbs, I might bring my students here and have them read over the section and take the quiz at the end of the unit. This site might also be a good way to introduce material before you present it to the students. Although, if using this site, make sure it is not the only instruction your students receive on any given topic. Be sure to back it up with your own personal instruction and other activities. Using this resource also allows students to get out of the classroom and move around to a new place and do something they all love- play on the computer. Although- you need to make sure you block all websites you do not want students getting on before they come to the lab, and also be sure to heavily monitor to make sure your students are staying on task.

All in all, I highly suggest using StudySpanish.com in some form or fashion in your own classroom.

Well, I hope this is useful for you and your students. If you have any questions/comments/concerns, please let me know! :)