Spanish Phonics With Ms. Tortilla: Learning to Read in Spanish Is Easy!

In just four short weeks, your child will be able to read a short story in Spanish. How is that possible you ask? Well, Spanish is highly phonetic and learning to read in Spanish is easier than you think. For example, in English the vowel /a/ has four sounds, but in Spanish it only has one sound, with no exceptions. Students whose first language is already firmly establish will be able to learn to read in Spanish fairly quickly. Student can use their first language as a jumping off point as they begin to learn basic reading concepts in Spanish. The first class will begin by comparing and contrasting the English and Spanish alphabet. We will review the simalarities and differences between the consonants and vowels in both English and Spanish. The purpose of this comparison is for students to have a point of reference in order to make sense of new concepts in Spanish. We will also focus on the differences in pronunciation and the way our mouth and tongue is positioned when making certain sounds in Spanish. After the first class, we will begin to learn syllables and form two and three syllable words. Each class will begin with a review of the previous class and end with a short story using the words we formed with the given syllables. Each class will build upon the previous classes with the addition of new syllables and words. My goal is to facilitate the learning of Spanish and give students the opportunity to always make connections to their first language. All words and stories will be translated into English to facilitate comprehension. 

Class One: We will take a deep dive into the Spanish alphabet. We will dissect the consonants and spend extra time on the vowels. 

Class Two: Introduction of the syllables:
ma, me, mi, mo, mu
pa, pe, pi, po, pu
sa, se, si, so, su (and z)


Class Three: Introduction of the syllables:
ta, te, ti, to, tu
la, le, li, lo, lu
da, de, di, do, du

Class Four: Introduction of the syllables: 
ra, re, ri, ro, ru
rra, rre, rri, rro, rru
hard c -- ca, co, cu
soft c -- ce, ci

Class Five: Introduction of the syllables:
na, ne, ni, no, nu
fa, fe, fi, fo, fu
ba, be, bi, bo, bu

Class Six: Introduction of the syllables: 
ja, je, ji, jo, ju
hard g: ga, go, gu
soft g: ge, gi
cha, che, chi, cho chu

Class Seven: Introduction of the syllables: 
ña, ñe, ñi, ño, ñu
va, ve, vi, vo, vu
lla, lle, lli, llo, llu

Class Eight: Introduction of special letters in Spanish
H, K, Q, W, X, Y, Z
Practice Reading