Digital Learning Commons: Spanish: Home

Welcome! ¡Bienvenidos!

The purpose of this guide is to provide Spanish language and culture resources for Mahoney Spanish students.

Spanish Fast Facts

Over 480 million native speakers worldwide
The dominant language of the Western Hemisphere
One of the United Nations Official Languages
41 million people in the U.S. speak Spanish at home
Second most commonly spoken language in the U.S.
Spanish is the third-most popular language on the internet.

Essential Learning Targets

CULTURES

Is skilled at identifying countries and regions in which the target language is spoken. (8)

Is skilled at using basic language in a manner that is appropriate to the target cultures. (8)

Understands unique products and practices of the target cultures. (8)

INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION

Is skilled at communicating on familiar topics using a variety of words and phrases that have been practiced and memorized. (6, 7, 8)

INTERPRETIVE COMMUNICATION

Is skilled at recognizing some letters and characters. Can understand some learned or memorized words and phrases. (6, 7, 8)

Is skilled at understanding familiar words, phrases and sentences within short and simple texts. (8)

Understands some spoken familiar words and phrases. (6, 7)

Understands spoken words, phrases and simple sentence related to everyday life. (8)

Understands pieces of information and the main topic of what is being said. (8)

PRESENTATIONAL COMMUNICATION

Is skilled at presenting information about self and other familiar topics using single words or phrases (6, 7)

Is skilled at writing familiar words and phrases and categorizing learned vocabulary. (6, 7, 8)

Is skilled at presenting information about self and other familiar topics using a variety of words, phrases and expressions. (8)

Is skilled at presenting information on a range of familiar topics using a variety of phrases and simple sentences. (8)

Is skilled at writing familiar words and phrases and categorizing learned vocabulary. (8)

Is skilled at writing short messages and notes on familiar topics related to everyday life. (8)

Hispanophone World

Countries where Spanish has official language status.

Situation in the United States of America:

States of the United States where Spanish has no official status but is spoken by 25% or more of the population.

States of the United States where Spanish has no official status but is spoken by 10-20% of the population.

States of the United States where Spanish has no official status but is spoken by 5-9% of the population.

Countries or regions where Spanish is spoken without official recognition, or where creoles of Spanish origin are spoken, with or without official recognition.

Map via Wikimedia Commons.

Infographic via Concordia Language Villages