I’ve been working my way through the Living Language Spanish course. It’s a fascinating peek into Latino culture, based on what the course designers have chosen as the most essential concepts, phrases and vocabulary for beginning students to master.
These lessons remind me of the importance of family to Latinos and Spanish speakers, through frequent exercises and quizzes to reinforce the Spanish words for: grandparents, cousins, nieces, brothers-in-law, etc.
Today’s lesson also reminds me of how much has changed in technology and telecommunications, even if the vocabulary lessons lag behind.
When I visit Mexico later this month, how many of these words will I need to remember in Spanish? And how many young American students even understand what these words refer to, unless they’ve seen these people or objects in vintage movies?
- Operator
- Switchboard
- Telephone booth
- Yellow pages
El móvil (cell phone), yes, of course — but telephone booth?
Thank goodness the next lesson will include words for computers, networking and computer accessories.