Catching up after missed classes | Learn Spanish in English

Spanish lesson set in a contemporary Madrid everyday setting: After missed classes, two classmates decide which assignment to handle first and arrange focused practice after class..

EN → ES / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use Catching up after missed classes to practice Spanish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

He faltado a algunas clases últimamente y siento que me he quedado atrás.

eh fal-TAH-doh ah al-GOO-nahs KLAH-sehs ool-tee-mah-MEN-teh ee SYEN-toh keh meh eh keh-DAH-doh ah-TRAS I missed some classes recently and feel behind.
B

Puedes ponerte al día.

PWEH-dehs poh-NEHR-teh al DEE-ah You can catch up.
B

Pero intentar aprenderlo todo de una vez lo hará más difícil.

PEH-roh een-tehn-TAHR ah-pren-DEHR-loh TOH-doh deh OO-nah BEHS loh ah-RAH mahs dee-FEE-seel But trying to learn everything at once will make it harder.
A

¿Podrías decirme qué tarea debería hacer primero?

poh-DREE-ahs deh-SEER-meh keh tah-REH-ah deh-beh-REE-ah ah-SEHR pree-MEH-roh Could you tell me which assignment I should handle first?
B

El resumen oral se entrega pronto, y la hoja de ejercicios puede esperar hasta después.

ehl reh-SOO-mehn oh-RAHL seh ehn-TREH-gah PROHN-toh ee lah OH-hah deh eh-hehr-SEE-see-ohs PWEH-deh ehs-peh-RAHR AHS-tah dehs-PWEHS The speaking summary is due soon, and the worksheet can wait until later.
A

Entonces debería empezar con la tarea oral.

ehn-TOHN-sehs deh-beh-REE-ah ehm-peh-SAHR kohn lah tah-REH-ah oh-RAHL Then I should start with the speaking task.
B

Empieza por ahí y pídele a la profesora los apuntes de las clases a las que faltaste.

ehm-PYEH-sah por ah-EE ee PEE-deh-leh ah lah proh-feh-SOH-rah lohs ah-POON-tehs deh lahs KLAH-sehs ah lahs keh fal-TAHS-teh Start there, and ask the teacher for notes from the classes you missed.
A

Tengo menos confianza porque los demás practicaron juntos.

TEHN-goh MEH-nohs kohn-fee-AHN-sah POR-keh lohs deh-MAHS prahk-tee-KAH-rohn HOON-tohs I feel less confident because the others practiced together.
B

Podemos repasar la tarea después de clase.

poh-DEH-mohs reh-pah-SAHR lah tah-REH-ah dehs-PWEHS deh KLAH-seh We can run through the task after class.
B

Así sabrás qué esperar.

ah-SEE sah-BRAHS keh ehs-peh-RAHR So you know what to expect.
A

Eso haría que el siguiente paso fuera más fácil de manejar.

EH-soh ah-REE-ah keh ehl see-GYEN-teh PAH-soh FWEH-rah mahs FAH-seel deh mah-neh-HAHR That would make the next step feel more manageable.
B

Una sesión de práctica enfocada es mejor que evitar el trabajo.

OO-nah seh-SYOHN deh PRAHK-tee-kah ehn-foh-KAH-dah ehs meh-HOHR keh eh-bee-TAHR ehl trah-BAH-hoh One focused practice session is better than avoiding the work.

Word by Word

He “He” means have and helps form the completed action “he faltado”. It is reused before a completed-action form, as in “he faltado a algunas clases”, when explaining what has happened recently.
faltado “Faltado” means missed or been absent in “he faltado a algunas clases”. The pattern “faltar a” is used with the class, meeting, or activity that someone did not attend; this is useful when explaining absences.
a In “faltado a algunas clases”, “a” links the verb faltar to the classes that were missed. The same pattern is used in “faltar a” plus an activity or event.
algunas “Algunas” means some in “algunas clases”, referring to an unspecified number of classes. It is placed before a plural noun when referring to some items rather than all of them.
clases “Clases” means classes in “algunas clases”. It names the lessons the speaker missed, and it can be used after quantities or descriptions to identify lessons or courses.
últimamente “Últimamente” means recently or lately, showing that the missed classes happened in the recent period. It commonly modifies a statement about something that has been happening or has happened recently.
y “Y” means and, joining “he faltado a algunas clases últimamente” with “siento que me he quedado atrás”. It is used to connect related actions, facts, or feelings.
siento “Siento” means I feel in “siento que me he quedado atrás”, introducing the speaker’s personal feeling. It is useful before “que” plus the situation that causes or describes the feeling.
que “Que” introduces the content of the feeling in “siento que me he quedado atrás”. It commonly links a verb of feeling, thinking, or saying to a following clause.
me “Me” refers back to the speaker inside “me he quedado atrás”, making the expression describe the speaker’s own situation. It is placed before the auxiliary in this completed-action construction.
quedado “Quedado” contributes the idea of having remained or been left in “me he quedado atrás”. Together with “me” and “atrás”, it describes falling behind; the form appears after “he” in this completed-action expression.
atrás “Atrás” means behind in “me he quedado atrás”, describing the speaker as behind the others in progress. It is used with expressions of position or progress, including the pattern “quedarse atrás”.
ponerte al día “Ponerte al día” means to catch up with missed work or information. “Ponerte” contributes getting yourself into a state, “al” is the form of “a” plus “el”, and “día” contributes the idea of being up to date; together they form the expression “ponerte al día”. A reusable pattern is “ponerse al día con” plus the subject or material to catch up on.
Pero “Pero” means but and contrasts the encouragement “Puedes ponerte al día” with the warning that learning everything at once will be harder. It is used to introduce a limitation, contrast, or correction.
intentar “Intentar” means to try in “intentar aprenderlo todo de una vez”. It is followed here by the action the person is trying to do, and it can introduce an effort or plan in many situations.
aprenderlo “Aprenderlo” means to learn it, with “lo” attached to “aprender” and referring to the material under discussion. The pattern infinitive plus an attached object pronoun is useful when the action and its object are expressed together.
todo “Todo” means everything or all in “aprenderlo todo”, referring to the complete amount of material. It is used with an infinitive here to describe learning the entire subject matter.
de In “de una vez”, “de” helps form the expression meaning all at once. This expression is a reusable way to describe doing something in a single effort or occasion.
una In “de una vez”, “una” contributes one to the expression all at once. It appears before “vez” in this fixed time or manner expression.
vez “Vez” means time or occasion in “de una vez”, which means all at once here. It is used in expressions that describe how many occasions or repetitions something involves.
lo In “lo hará más difícil”, “lo” refers to the attempt just described, learning everything at once. It is placed before the future verb to refer back to an action or situation as the thing affected.
hará “Hará” means will make in “lo hará más difícil”, describing the expected result of trying to learn everything at once. The pattern “hacer algo más difícil” is useful for describing what increases the difficulty of an action.
más “Más” means more and makes “difícil” comparative in “más difícil”. It is placed before an adjective when describing a greater degree of a quality.
difícil “Difícil” means difficult, and “más difícil” means harder in this dialogue. It describes an action or situation and can follow “hacer” in the pattern “hacer algo más difícil”.
Podrías “Podrías” means could you in the polite request “Podrías decirme qué tarea debería hacer primero?”. It softens a request for information and is useful when asking another person for help.
decirme “Decirme” means to tell me in “Podrías decirme”, with “me” attached to the infinitive “decir”. The reusable pattern is “decirme” followed by the information the speaker wants to receive.
qué “Qué” means what or which in “qué tarea”, asking the listener to identify the assignment. The accent marks its interrogative use, and it appears before the noun being identified.
tarea “Tarea” means assignment or task in “qué tarea debería hacer primero”. It names a piece of work and can be combined with an adjective or a phrase that identifies which task is meant.
debería “Debería” means should in “debería hacer primero”, expressing the action the speaker considers advisable. It is useful for asking or giving advice about what to do.
hacer “Hacer” means to do or handle in “qué tarea debería hacer primero”. It is the infinitive after “debería”, and the pattern “hacer una tarea” is used for completing an assignment.
primero “Primero” means first, indicating the order in which the speaker should handle the assignments. It is useful when choosing the initial item in a sequence of tasks.
El “El” means the and introduces “resumen oral”, the specific speaking summary being discussed. It is used before a singular noun in a definite noun phrase.
resumen “Resumen” means summary in “El resumen oral”. It identifies a shortened account of material, and it can be followed by a word describing its type, as “oral” does here.
oral “Oral” means oral or speaking-related in “resumen oral” and “tarea oral”. It describes work done through speaking rather than through the worksheet mentioned later.
se In “se entrega”, “se” helps present the submission without naming who hands it in. The complete construction “se entrega” describes something being handed in or submitted, and this pattern is useful when the submitted item is more important than the person submitting it.
entrega In “se entrega pronto”, “entrega” contributes the action of being handed in or submitted. Together with “se”, it describes the summary’s submission deadline; the pattern can be used for assignments or documents.
pronto “Pronto” means soon in “se entrega pronto”, placing the deadline in the near future. It is useful with actions or events that are expected shortly.
la “La” means the and introduces “hoja de ejercicios”, the specific worksheet under discussion. It is used before a singular noun in a definite noun phrase.
hoja “Hoja” means sheet in “hoja de ejercicios”, referring here to a worksheet. The pattern “hoja de” plus a description identifies the kind of sheet.
ejercicios “Ejercicios” means exercises in “hoja de ejercicios”, identifying what the sheet contains. It is used as a plural noun after “de” to describe the worksheet.
puede “Puede” means can in “puede esperar hasta después”, saying that the worksheet does not need immediate attention. It is followed here by an infinitive to express what something can do or what can happen to it.
esperar “Esperar” means to wait in “puede esperar hasta después”. The pattern “puede esperar” is useful for saying that a task or decision can be postponed.
hasta “Hasta” means until in “hasta después”, marking the point up to which the worksheet can wait. It is used before a time or later point when setting an endpoint.
después “Después” means later or afterward in “hasta después”, referring to a later time than the speaking summary. It is useful for arranging tasks in time without naming an exact date.
Entonces “Entonces” means then and shows that the speaker is drawing a conclusion from the advice about which task is due first. It is useful for introducing a resulting decision or next step.
empezar “Empezar” means to start in “debería empezar con la tarea oral”. It is followed by “con” plus the first task, a useful pattern for stating what activity will come first.
con In “empezar con la tarea oral”, “con” links the act of starting to the task chosen as the starting point. The pattern “empezar con” is useful when beginning with one item before others.
Empieza “Empieza” means start or begin in the direct instruction “Empieza por ahí”. It is useful when telling someone what action to take first.
por In “Empieza por ahí”, “por” identifies the place or item to begin with. The pattern “empezar por” is useful for giving the first point in a sequence.
ahí “Ahí” means there in “Empieza por ahí”, referring to the speaking task just selected. It is useful for pointing back to a nearby item, place, or idea already understood in the conversation.
pídele “Pídele” means ask her for it in “pídele a la profesora los apuntes”, with “le” attached to the instruction to ask. The reusable pattern is “pedirle a alguien” plus the thing requested, as in asking the teacher for notes.
profesora “Profesora” means female teacher in “a la profesora”. It identifies the person from whom the notes should be requested, and it can follow “a” when naming the person addressed by “pedirle”.
los “Los” means the and introduces “apuntes”, the specific notes being requested. It is used before a plural noun in a definite noun phrase.
apuntes “Apuntes” means notes in “los apuntes de las clases”. It refers to written material from the missed classes, and the pattern “apuntes de” identifies the source of the notes.
las “Las” means the and introduces “clases” in “las clases a las que faltaste”. It is used before a plural noun in a definite noun phrase.
faltaste “Faltaste” means you missed or were absent from in “las clases a las que faltaste”. It identifies the classes the listener did not attend, and the pattern “faltar a” is useful for describing missed classes or events.
Tengo “Tengo” means I have in “Tengo menos confianza”, expressing the speaker’s state of having less confidence. It is useful with nouns for describing feelings, conditions, or things someone possesses.
menos “Menos” means less in “menos confianza”, showing a smaller amount of confidence. It is placed before a noun when comparing an amount with another amount that is understood from context.
confianza “Confianza” means confidence in “Tengo menos confianza”. The pattern “tener confianza” describes feeling confident, and adding “menos” expresses reduced confidence.
porque “Porque” means because and introduces the reason for having less confidence: “los demás practicaron juntos”. It is useful for connecting a feeling or result with its explanation.
demás In “los demás”, “demás” means the others, referring to the classmates who practiced together. It is commonly used after an article to refer to the remaining people or things in a group.
practicaron “Practicaron” means practiced in “los demás practicaron juntos”, describing what the other classmates did. It is useful for reporting completed group practice or another finished activity.
juntos “Juntos” means together in “practicaron juntos”, showing that the others practiced with one another. It is useful after an action when emphasizing shared participation.
Podemos “Podemos” means we can in “Podemos repasar la tarea”. It offers a joint possibility or plan, and it is followed here by an infinitive naming the shared activity.
repasar “Repasar” means to review or run through in “repasar la tarea”. It is useful for going over material or practicing the steps of an assignment before doing it independently.
clase In “después de clase”, “clase” means class and identifies the time after the lesson ends. The pattern “después de clase” is useful for arranging an activity after school or a lesson.
Así “Así” means so or that way in “Así sabrás qué esperar”, introducing the result of reviewing the task. It is useful for connecting an action with the practical outcome it is meant to produce.
sabrás “Sabrás” means you will know in “Así sabrás qué esperar”. It describes knowledge the listener will have as a result of the planned review, and it is useful for explaining an expected future outcome.
Eso “Eso” means that in “Eso haría que el siguiente paso fuera más fácil de manejar”, referring to the proposed review after class. It is useful for pointing back to an action or idea already mentioned.
haría “Haría” means would make in “Eso haría que el siguiente paso fuera más fácil de manejar”, describing an imagined or expected effect. The pattern “haría que” introduces the result that the proposed action would produce.
siguiente “Siguiente” means next in “el siguiente paso”, identifying the step that comes after the current one. It is useful before a noun when organizing actions or events in sequence.
paso “Paso” means step in “el siguiente paso”, referring to the next part of the study process. It is useful for describing one action within a larger plan or sequence.
fuera In “fuera más fácil de manejar”, “fuera” expresses the imagined result after “haría que”: the next step would be easier to manage. This form is useful after “hacer que” when describing a desired or hypothetical result.
fácil “Fácil” means easy in “más fácil de manejar”, describing the next step as more manageable. It can be combined with “más” to compare the difficulty of an action or situation.
manejar “Manejar” means to handle or manage in “fácil de manejar”, referring to dealing with the next step. The pattern “fácil de manejar” is useful for describing a task or situation that can be dealt with without excessive difficulty.
sesión “Sesión” means session in “Una sesión de práctica enfocada”, referring to one planned period of practice. It is useful with “de” plus the activity that takes place during the session.
práctica “Práctica” means practice in “sesión de práctica”, identifying the activity of training or rehearsing. The pattern “sesión de práctica” is useful for naming a scheduled period devoted to practice.
enfocada “Enfocada” means focused in “sesión de práctica enfocada”, describing practice directed toward a clear task or goal. It is useful after a noun to specify that the activity is concentrated rather than broad.
es “Es” means is in “es mejor que evitar el trabajo”, linking the practice session with the judgment that it is better. It is useful for comparing or evaluating one option against another.
mejor “Mejor” means better in “es mejor que evitar el trabajo”, presenting focused practice as the preferable option. The pattern “es mejor que” is useful when recommending one action over another.
evitar “Evitar” means to avoid in “evitar el trabajo”, describing the option of not facing the work. It is followed here by the thing being avoided, a useful pattern for discussing actions someone chooses not to take.
trabajo “Trabajo” means work in “evitar el trabajo”, referring to the study work that needs to be completed. It can follow “evitar” when naming the task or obligation someone is trying not to face.

Grammar Points

haber + participio: he faltado / me he quedado

He faltado a clases últimamente.

eh fal-TAH-doh ah KLAH-sehs ool-tee-mah-MEN-teh

I have missed classes lately.

The present perfect describes a past action connected to the present; the pronoun appears before the conjugated verb.

condicional + si + imperfecto de subjuntivo: haría ... si fuera ...

Haría el trabajo si fuera fácil de manejar.

ah-REE-ah ehl trah-BAH-hoh see FWEH-rah FAH-seel deh mah-neh-HAHR

I would do the work if it were easy to manage.

This structure expresses a hypothetical condition: the conditional states the result, and fuera introduces the imagined condition.

Spanish Vocabulary

aprenderlo verb
ah-pren-DEHR-loh to learn it
clases noun
KLAH-sehs classes
de una vez phrase
deh OO-nah BEHS all at once
decirme verb
deh-SEER-meh to tell me
difícil adj
dee-FEE-seel difficult
he faltado verb
eh fal-TAH-doh I have missed

He faltado a algunas clases últimamente.

intentar verb
een-tehn-TAHR to try
me he quedado atrás phrase
meh eh keh-DAH-doh ah-TRAS I have fallen behind
podrías verb
poh-DREE-ahs could you
ponerte al día phrase
poh-NEHR-teh al DEE-ah to catch up
tarea noun
tah-REH-ah assignment; task
últimamente adv
ool-tee-mah-MEN-teh recently; lately

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

You can catch up.

Show AnswerPuedes ponerte al día.

So you know what to expect.

Show AnswerAsí sabrás qué esperar.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

difficult

Show Answerdifícil

to try

Show Answerintentar

to learn it

Show Answeraprenderlo

classes

Show Answerclases