Spanish for Education
20 Words and Phrases that teachers should know in Spanish
Back-to-school time. Let’s learn some vocabulary we can use to work with students.
¡Hola!
Today is a Workplace Spanish at Spanish Blog 365.
Every week we highlight an occupation and learn key vocabulary to help build your Spanish as it relates to that occupation.
Remember, even if you don’t work in this industry, these words will still enter your conversations. Pick just 5 or 10 that will benefit your Spanish.
Spanish for Education
1. La escuela y los niveles – school and levels
El jardín infantil (el Kinder) – Kindergarten
La escuela preescolar – preschool
La escuela primaria – elementary school
La escuela secundaria – secondary/middle school
*Colegio o la escuela preparatoria (la prepa) – High school
La universidad comunitaria – community college
La universidad (la uni) – University
*Notice the false coganate – colegio looks like college, but it means high school or schools
Diplomas and titles in Spanish
2. Diplomas y títulos
el primer grado – the first grade (review ordinal numbers)
*un bachillerato – high school diploma
los estudios superiores – higher education
una licenciatura – bachelor’s degree (4 años de universidad)
una maestría – master’s degree (6 años de universidad)
un doctorado – doctorate degree (el último nivel)
*Note the false coganate – bachillerato looks like bachelor’s, but it means high school diploma
Words and phrases – Otras palabras y frases
3. maestro/a – teacher (generally for kids)
4. profesor/a – professor (generally higher education for adults)
5. director/a – principal
6. estudiante o alumno/a – student
7. la sala de clase o una aula – the classroom
8. Pasar la lista (de asistencia)– to take roll
Voy a pasar la lista – I’m going to take roll
Pablo…María…Juan…Carmen…
presente / ausente – present / absent
9. Prestar atención – to pay attention
Presten atención – Pay attention (talking to the whole class)
School supplies and more
10. las materias (matemáticas, ciencias sociales) – the subjects (math, social studies)
11. una lección – a lesson
12. la tarea o los deberes – the homework
13. una prueba – a quiz
14. un examen – a test
15. sacar buenas / malas notas – to get good / bad grades
16. levántense la mano– raise your hand (talking to the whole group)
17. los suministros escolares – school supplies
18. una mochila – a backpack
19. una pluma, un bolígrafo o un lapicero– a pen
20. un cuaderno – a notebook
Action Step: Find at least 5-10 words and phrases that you can start using right away!
Listen to radio or T.V. in Spanish at this time of year. You’ll hear many of these words in advertisments!
Come back tomorrow and let’s learn some more Spanish.
Gracias por acompañarme en Spanish Blob 365. ¡Hasta mañana!
Carolina