Topic Two (1.2): ¿Qué ponen en la televisión?

Topics Icon.png Objectives for this topic

  • Discussing TV programmes
  • Using acabar de
  • Translating short sentences into Spanish

Introduction Icon.png Introduction

In this topic, you will learn how to discuss TV programmes that you watch. You will also learn about the construction acabar de, which is a very useful expression that means ‘to finish’ in Spanish. You will also look at how to translate short sentences effectively.

Interact Icon.png Working through your coursebook

Please work through the following sections in your coursebook, completing all listed exercises:

  • Page 54 Exercise 1: Listen to Audio Disc 1 Track 37 about television programmes. Read the instructions carefully then complete the table.

LISTEN - Audio Track 37

  • Page 54 Exercise 2: Listen to Audio Disc 1 Track 38, which is a conversation between Fernando and Susana. Then read the text carefully and try and find and correct the six errors. You may need to play the audio a few times to spot the mistakes. Remember to stop the audio when necessary.

LISTEN - Audio Track 38

  • Page 55 Exercise 3: Read the text carefully then choose the correct statements. Remember to take time to look up any new words you come across.
  • Page 55 Exercise 4: You can do this on your own or with a friend. Read through the questions and answers carefully, then the second time round, replace the underlined sections with your own answers. Try to read the text out loud, focusing on accurate and clear pronunciation!
  • Read the Estrategia box about translating short sentences into Spanish. Pay close attention to the different steps involved. Translating from English into Spanish is difficult, but using the following techniques will help you:
  • identify the key verbs and vocabulary and translate these items first.
  • think about word order (for example, adjectives usually go after nouns).
  • check agreement of adjectives (singular/plural, gender, etc.).
  • write your sentences, and then check the grammar (GR), word order (WO) and agreements (AGR).

Example: some funny cartoons - unos dibujos animados divertidos

  • For additional practice with translation techniques, complete the Strategy worksheet: Translating short sentences into Spanish:

Download COMPLETE - Strategy worksheet

Review Icon.png Review

  • Read the interesting information in ¡Cultura! on page 54. Try to use it in your writing!
  • Exercise 5: As an extra challenge, translate phrases a-e into Spanish. Use the vocabulary in Exercise 3 to help you.

NewLearning.png  Interactive Kerboodle Activities

Log onto Kerboodle and complete the following interactive activities for this module:

COMPLETE - ¿Qué ponen en la televisión? Links to an external site.

COMPLETE - Vocab builder: TV and streaming Links to an external site. 

Bridge Icon.png  Support activity for this topic

Did you know that watching Spanish TV is a great way of improving your vocabulary and pronunciation? There are lots and lots of Spanish TV programmes out there, and some have been created specifically with learners in mind (and come with subtitles). Have a look through the article below and see which ones you would like to watch:

WATCH – TV Shows (GrittySpanish)  Links to an external site.

Is there one in particular that you like? Why not try and follow the series once or twice a week. It’s important that you are exposed to Spanish outside these lessons – in that way, your Spanish will be kept fresh and you’ll see improvements weekly. Songs are also a great way of improving your Spanish. Look up David Bisbal and Enrique Iglesias, both very famous Spanish singers.

Stretch Icon.png Extension activity for this topic

Log onto Language Nut and choose the Vocab Trainer page.

Complete activities in the following section:

  • Technology (22)

Download Icon.png Check your answers

If you would like to check your answers to this topic, you can do so by consulting the Claro 2 module answers for Topics 3.2 and 3.8. 

Download CHECK - Topic 3.2

Download CHECK - Topic 3.8

Grammar Icon.png  Grammar Alert

Read the Gramática box on page 55. Acabar de is a very useful expression in Spanish. You use it to say that you have ‘just done something’. It is used in the present tense, even though in English it sounds like it’s the past tense. Acabar is a regular -ar verb and is followed by the infinitive:

  • Acabo de hacer mis deberes. I have just done my homework.
  • Acabamos de hacer un maratón de películas. We have just binge watched films.
  • Acaban de ver la tele. They have just watched TV.

Watch Señor Jordan’s very helpful explanation of acabar de:

WATCH – acabar de (YouTube) Links to an external site.

Now complete Exercise 1 on page 66 to practise this grammar point and write three sentences of your own using acabar de.

Glossary Icon.png  Vocabulary

Review the vocabulary section ¿Qué ponen en la televisión? (What’s on television) on page 72.