University degree
Título universitario
- Talk about your university study or goals.
- Know vocabulary about higher education.
- Know the higher education system and institutions of your new country.
- Expressions with the past tenses: "Ayer", "De repente", "El mes pasado", etc...
This lesson explores the Spanish university system, from the Universidad de Salamanca to degrees like "grado" and "máster." Learn useful past tense expressions such as "ayer," "de repente," and "el mes pasado" to talk about educational experiences.
Listening & reading materials
Practice vocabulary in context with real materials.
A2.14.1 Lectura
¿Cómo funciona el sistema universitario en España?
How does the university system work in Spain?
A2.14.2 Cultura
La Universidad de Salamanca: la más antigua de España
The University of Salamanca: the oldest in Spain
Vocabulary (17) Share Copied!
Exercises Share Copied!
These exercises can be done together during conversation lessons or as homework.
Exercise 1: Translate and use in a sentence
Instruction: Pick a word, translated and use the word in a sentence or dialogue.
1
Aprobar
To pass
2
El máster
The master's
3
Desarrollar
To develop
4
Pagar la matricula
To pay the tuition
5
El licenciado
The graduate
Ejercicio 2: Conversation exercise
Instrucción:
- When did you graduate high school (and university)? (When did you graduate high school (and university)?)
- What internships did you do while studying? (What internships did you do while studying? )
- What are your educational plans? (What are your educational plans?)
Teaching guidelines +/- 10 minutes
Example phrases:
|
Me gradué de la escuela secundaria en 2019. Todavía estoy estudiando en la universidad ahora. I graduated from high school in 2019. I am still studying at university now. |
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Me gradué del instituto en 2012 y de la universidad en 2016. I graduated high school in 2012 and university in 2016. |
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Trabajé en una oficina durante dos meses. Aprendí sobre ordenadores. I worked in an office for two months. I learned about computers. |
|
Hice unas prácticas de verano en un colegio. Ayudé al profesor. I did a summer internship at a school. I helped the teacher. |
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No estudié antes, pero ahora quiero aprender. Voy a tomar clases nocturnas. I didn’t study before, but now I want to learn. I will take evening classes. |
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Asistiré a algunos cursos para poder asumir más responsabilidades en el trabajo. I will attend some courses so that I can take more responsibility at work. |
| ... |
Exercise 3: Dialogue Cards
Instruction: Select a situation and practice the conversation with your teacher or fellow students.
Exercise 4: Multiple Choice
Instruction: Choose the correct solution
1. Ayer ___ para aprobar el examen de titulación universitaria.
(Yesterday ___ to pass the university graduation exam.)2. Durante las clases, ___ muchos documentos académicos para entender mejor el contenido.
(During classes, ___ many academic documents to better understand the content.)3. El mes pasado ___ a la universidad para inscribirme en el máster.
(Last month ___ to the university to enroll in the master's program.)4. Muchas veces ___ a la biblioteca para mejorar mis habilidades de estudio.
(Many times ___ to the library to improve my study skills.)Exercise 5: My University Experience
Instruction:
Verb Tables
Estudiar - Study
Pretérito imperfecto
- yo estudiaba
- tú estudiabas
- él/ella/usted estudiaba
- nosotros/nosotras estudiábamos
- vosotros/vosotras estudiabais
- ellos/ellas/ustedes estudiaban
Leer - Read
Pretérito imperfecto
- yo leía
- tú leías
- él/ella/usted leía
- nosotros/nosotras leíamos
- vosotros/vosotras leíais
- ellos/ellas/ustedes leían
Venir - Come
Pretérito perfecto
- yo he venido
- tú has venido
- él/ella/usted ha venido
- nosotros/nosotras hemos venido
- vosotros/vosotras habéis venido
- ellos/ellas/ustedes han venido
Exercise 6: Expresiones con los tiempos del pasado: "Ayer", "De repente" , "El mes pasado" , etc...
Instruction: Fill in the correct word.
Grammar: Expressions with the past tenses: "Ayer", "De repente", "El mes pasado", etc...
Show translation Show answersCompleté, tuvimos, Empezamos, soñaba, parecían, entró, prestaba, escribí
Grammar Share Copied!
It's not the most exciting thing, we admit, but it’s absolutely essential (and we promise it'll pay off)!
A2.14.3 Gramática
Expresiones con los tiempos del pasado: "Ayer", "De repente" , "El mes pasado" , etc...
Expressions with the past tenses: "Ayer", "De repente", "El mes pasado", etc...
Verb conjugation tables for this lesson Share Copied!
Estudiar to study Share Copied!
Pretérito imperfecto
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| (yo) estudiaba | I used to study |
| (tú) estudiabas | You were studying |
| (él/ella) estudiaba | he studied |
| (nosotros/nosotras) estudiábamos | we studied |
| (vosotros/vosotras) estudiabais | You were studying |
| (ellos/ellas) estudiaban | they studied |
Leer to read Share Copied!
Pretérito imperfecto
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| (yo) leía | I was reading |
| (tú) leías | You were reading |
| (él/ella) leía | he/she was reading |
| (nosotros/nosotras) leíamos | we were reading |
| (vosotros/vosotras) leíais | You were reading |
| (ellos/ellas) leían | they read |
Venir to come Share Copied!
Pretérito perfecto
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| (yo) he venido | I have come |
| (tú) has venido | You have come |
| (él/ella) ha venido | he/she has come |
| (nosotros/nosotras) hemos venido | We have come |
| (vosotros/vosotras) habéis venido | You have come |
| (ellos/ellas) han venido | they have come |
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Understanding the Spanish University System
This lesson focuses on the structure and function of the university system in Spain, with an emphasis on useful vocabulary and expressions related to higher education and past time references.
Key Topics Covered
- Overview of Spanish Universities: Learn how the university system works and get familiar with institutions like the Universidad de Salamanca, the oldest university in Spain.
- Past Time Expressions: Master common time expressions used to describe past actions such as "Ayer" (yesterday), "De repente" (suddenly), and "El mes pasado" (last month).
- Practical Dialogue Practice: Engage with realistic conversations about university admissions, degree programs, and student life to enhance comprehension and speaking skills.
Useful Vocabulary and Expressions
- Grados – degrees
- M e1ster – master's degree
- Licenciatura – undergraduate degree (equivalent to a bachelor's degree)
- Admisiones – admissions
- Oferta de t edtulos – range of degrees offered
- Biblioteca – library
- Especialidad – specialty or major
Focus on Past Tense Verbs and Expressions
The lesson emphasizes using past tenses correctly through examples and exercises. Here are some example sentences illustrating past tense usage with time markers:
- Ayer estudi e9 para aprobar el examen de titulaci f3n universitaria. (Yesterday I studied to pass the university degree exam.)
- Durante las clases, le ed muchos documentos acad e9micos para entender mejor el contenido. (During classes, I read many academic documents to better understand the content.)
- El mes pasado vine a la universidad para inscribirme en el m e1ster. (Last month I came to the university to enroll in the master's program.)
- Muchas veces ven eda a la biblioteca para mejorar mis habilidades de estudio. (Many times I used to come to the library to improve my study skills.)
Important Notes on Language Differences
Unlike English, which relies heavily on auxiliary verbs to express past tenses, Spanish uses specific verb conjugations for different past forms. For example, "Ayer estudi e9" (I studied yesterday) uses the preterite tense indicating a completed action, whereas "Muchas veces ven eda" (I used to come many times) uses the imperfect tense to describe habitual past actions.
Additionally, certain Spanish nouns such as "grado" (degree) or "m e1ster" may differ from exact English equivalents but align closely with academic terms. For instance, "licenciatura" corresponds roughly to a bachelor's degree, though historically it varied by country.
Helpful Phrases
- Qu e9 t edtulos universitarios ofrece la universidad? – What university degrees does the university offer?
- Estoy interesado en estudiar aqu ed. – I am interested in studying here.
- Durante mi estancia aqu ed, puedo ayudarte con cualquier duda. – During my stay here, I can help you with any questions.
- Al final, recomiendo visitar la p e1gina web para m e1s detalles. – In the end, I recommend visiting the website for more details.
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