review & speak
You made the effort of going through the story — this is what makes it stick before the next one washes it out: engage with the words and patterns, then produce them out loud.
Intermediate · en→es
1 · Vocabulary — the story's new words
The words this story used that are new at its level, sorted by meaning (Ctrl/Cmd+F to search). Save any of them to your word list — 27 new words here.
2 · Grammar — patterns from the story
impersonal — se + verb (one / passive)se + verb (3rd person)
Aquí «se» habla español.
Spanish is spoken here.
duration — desde hace / hace … que (for / since)hace + time + que + verb · verb + desde hace + time
Estudio español «desde hace» un año.
I've studied Spanish for a year.
purpose — para + infinitive (in order to)… + para + infinitive
Ahorro «para» viajar.
I save in order to travel.
relative clause — que (that / which / who)noun + que + clause
Es la chica «que» vive aquí.
She's the girl who lives here.
present perfect — haber (conjugated) + participlehaber (conjugated) + participle
Ella «ha» comido ya.
She has already eaten.
nominalization — lo + adjective (the … thing / part)lo + adjective
«Lo» difícil es empezar.
The hard part is starting.
cause — porque (because)result + porque + reason
No salí «porque» llovía.
I didn't go out because it was raining.
morphology — imperfect (past habit / description)stem + [-aba / -ía]
De niño «jugaba» mucho.
As a child I played a lot.
subjunctive trigger — impersonal value judgement + que (it's important that)es importante/mejor que + [verb in -e / -a]
Es importante que «descanses».
It's important that you rest.
morphology — simple future (-ré), will doinfinitive + [-ré / -rás / -rá…]
Mañana «hablaré» con ella.
Tomorrow I'll speak with her.
condition — si + clause (if)si + condition, + result
«Si» tienes tiempo, ven al mercado.
If you have time, come to the market.
purpose (different subject) — para que + subjunctive (so that)para que + [verb in -e / -a]
Hablo despacio para que me «entiendas».
I speak slowly so you understand me.
morphology — present subjunctive (after wishes / doubt)… que + [verb in -e / -a]
Espero que «hables» con él.
I hope you talk to him.
3 · Practice A — build your own sentence
Use each pattern on your own life. Say it out loud, then peek at one valid version.
because
Say why the celebration is not sad.
impersonal-se
Say when the Day of the Dead is celebrated.
future
Say where you will travel.
4 · Practice B — translate, then check
Your language → the language you're learning, using the story's words and patterns.
5 · The speech — say it out loud
A ~1-minute speech, not a monologue — the arc (open → explain → example → opinion → contrast → close) is what makes it sound human. Study the one help bank first; then pick an angle and say each line in the language you're learning, out loud — no cues next to the lines on purpose. ✨ = new for these speeches; everything else is review from the story.
help bank · key vocabulary
help bank · connectors — the glue, in talk order
help bank · grammar patterns
IT IS …-ED (impersonal se)se + verb (3rd person)
Se celebra el primero y el dos de noviembre en todo el país.— It is celebrated on the first and second of November all over the country.
… BECAUSE …result + porque + reason
No es triste porque se celebra la vida y la memoria.— It is not sad because it celebrates life and memory.
I HAVE … (present perfect)he + participle
He visto muchas fotos de altares llenos de color.— I have seen many photos of altars full of color.
IT'S IMPORTANT THAT … (subjunctive)es importante que + verb (-e / -a)
Es importante que la gente respete estas tradiciones.— It is important that people respect these traditions.
… SO THAT … (subjunctive)para que + verb (-e / -a)
Me gustaría llevar a mi familia para que conozcan esta celebración.— I would like to take my family so that they get to know this celebration.
I WILL … (future)infinitive + -é
Algún día viajaré a Oaxaca para vivir esta tradición.— Some day I will travel to Oaxaca to experience this tradition.
I HOPE THAT … (subjunctive)espero que + verb (-e / -a)
Espero que esta tradición se mantenga viva muchos años.— I hope this tradition stays alive for many years.
now perform it — pick an angle · all 5 use the one bank above, no new words
The Day of the Dead overall.
the speech — say each line in the language you're learning
① Open — say what your topic is
1.I want to talk about the Day of the Dead.
2.The Day of the Dead is one of the most important celebrations in Mexico.
② Explain — give the background
3.It is celebrated on the first and second of November.
4.Families build altars full of flowers, candles and food.
③ Example — a concrete case
5.I have seen many photos of altars full of color.
6.It is not sad because it celebrates life and memory.
④ My opinion — how I feel
7.For me, the Day of the Dead teaches a beautiful lesson about life.
8.I hope this tradition stays alive for many years.
⑤ But — the other side
9.However, many people outside Mexico only know the painted skulls.
10.It is important that people respect these traditions.
⑥ Close — a question + wrap-up
11.So, would you like to celebrate the Day of the Dead?
12.Thank you very much!
⚠ stuck? model answers — try first, peek last