Choose an online course by priorities | Learn Spanish in English

Spanish lesson set in a contemporary Madrid everyday setting: While comparing online courses, two adults weigh feedback, flexibility, live speaking options, and teacher comments..

EN → ES / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use Choose an online course by priorities to practice Spanish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

Estoy comparando cursos en línea, y parecen adaptarse a distintos estilos de aprendizaje.

es-TOY kohm-pah-RAHN-doh KOOR-sohs en LEE-neh-ah, ee pah-REH-sen ah-dahp-TAR-seh ah dees-TEEN-tohs es-TEE-lohs deh ah-pren-dee-SAH-heh. I'm comparing online courses, and they seem to fit different learning styles.
B

¿Qué es lo más importante para ti: recibir comentarios, tener flexibilidad o practicar la conversación?

keh es loh mahs eem-por-TAHN-teh pah-rah tee: reh-see-BEER koh-men-TAH-ree-ohs, teh-NEHR fleh-see-bee-lee-DAHD oh prahk-tee-KAHR lah kon-behr-sah-SYON? What matters most to you: feedback, flexibility, or speaking practice?
A

Necesito comentarios, pero mi horario cambia mucho.

neh-seh-SEE-toh koh-men-TAH-ree-ohs, PEH-roh mee oh-RAH-ree-oh KAHM-byah MOO-choh. I need feedback, but my schedule changes a lot.
B

Entonces, quizá te convenga más un curso flexible con sesiones en directo opcionales.

en-TOHN-ses, kee-SAH teh kohn-BVEN-gah mahs oon KOOR-soh fleh-SEE-bleh kohn seh-SYOH-nes en dee-REHK-toh op-syo-NAH-les. Then a flexible course with optional live sessions may fit best.
A

Uno de los cursos tiene reseñas muy buenas, pero ofrece muy poca práctica oral.

OO-noh deh lohs KOOR-sohs TYEH-neh reh-SEH-nyahs moo-ee BWEH-nahs, PEH-roh oh-FREH-seh moo-ee POH-kah PRAHK-tee-kah oh-RAHL. One course has strong reviews, but it has very little speaking practice.
B

Si hablar es tu objetivo, esa falta de práctica importa.

see ah-BLAR es too ohb-heh-TEE-boh, EH-sah FAHL-tah deh PRAHK-tee-kah eem-POR-tah. If speaking is your goal, that gap matters.
A

El otro curso incluye clases interactivas y comentarios del profesor.

el OH-troh KOOR-soh een-KLOO-yeh KLAH-ses een-teh-rahk-TEE-bahs ee koh-men-TAH-ree-ohs del proh-feh-SOR. The other course includes interactive classes and teacher comments.
B

Elige el que se adapte a la forma en que realmente quieres aprender.

eh-LEE-heh el keh seh ah-DAHP-teh ah lah FOR-mah en keh reh-ahl-MEN-teh KYEH-res ah-pren-DEHR. Choose the one that matches how you actually want to learn.

Word by Word

Estoy “Estoy” means “I am” here and combines with “comparando” to describe a comparison in progress. It is useful when describing an activity happening now, such as comparing courses.
comparando “Comparando” means “comparing” and describes the activity that is currently happening. It follows “Estoy” in a common pattern for an action in progress, useful when evaluating two or more options.
cursos “Cursos” means “courses” and refers here to the online learning options being compared. It is used as the noun in cursos en línea, and is useful when discussing different educational programs.
en In “en línea,” “en” contributes the preposition meaning “in.” The meaning “online” belongs to the full expression, which is useful for describing courses or services available on the internet.
línea “Línea” means “line” in a literal sense, but in “en línea” it forms the expression meaning “online.” This expression is used to describe courses, meetings, or other activities available through the internet.
y “Y” means “and” and connects the ideas that the speaker is comparing courses and that the courses seem to fit different styles. It commonly joins words, phrases, or clauses that belong together.
parecen “Parecen” means “seem” here, presenting the courses as appearing to fit different learning styles. It is used with the plural subject cursos and can be followed by an infinitive to describe what something seems to do.
adaptarse “Adaptarse” means “to fit” or “to adapt” in “adaptarse a distintos estilos de aprendizaje.” The form is used with a to show what something fits, a useful pattern when matching an option to a need or preference.
a In “adaptarse a distintos estilos de aprendizaje,” “a” links the idea of fitting with what is being matched. The pattern adaptarse a + noun is useful when describing what a course, plan, or method suits.
distintos “Distintos” means “different” and describes estilos, showing that the courses suit more than one kind of learning style. It is useful before a noun when distinguishing one group or type from another.
estilos “Estilos” means “styles” and refers here to different ways of learning. In “estilos de aprendizaje,” de introduces the area or type connected with the styles, a useful phrase when discussing how people learn.
de In “estilos de aprendizaje,” “de” links estilos with aprendizaje and identifies the kind of styles being discussed. The pattern noun + de + noun is useful for showing a relationship between two nouns.
aprendizaje “Aprendizaje” means “learning” and specifies that the styles concern learning. It is useful after de when describing a learning-related type, method, or process.
Qué “Qué” means “what” and begins the question about the learner’s highest priority. It is useful in questions that ask what something is or what matters.
es “Es” means “is” and links the question with “lo más importante,” identifying the thing being asked about. It is useful when asking or stating what something is or what a priority is.
lo “Lo” is part of “lo más importante,” the phrase meaning “the most important thing.” Together with an adjective in this construction, it refers to an idea or quality rather than to a named object.
más “Más” means “most” in “lo más importante” and marks the highest degree of importance. The pattern lo más + adjective is useful when identifying the top priority.
importante “Importante” means “important” and describes the priority the speaker considers most significant. In “lo más importante,” it helps identify the main concern in a choice.
para “Para” means “for” in “para ti” and marks the person whose perspective or priority is being considered. The pattern para + person is useful when asking what matters to someone.
ti “Ti” means “you” after the preposition para in “para ti.” It identifies the person whose needs or preferences are being discussed, useful when asking about someone’s personal priorities.
recibir “Recibir” means “to receive” and names one possible priority in the question: receiving feedback. It is an infinitive followed by the object comentarios, a useful pattern for describing an activity someone wants or needs.
comentarios “Comentarios” means “comments” or “feedback” and refers to the responses a learner receives. It appears in “recibir comentarios” and later in “comentarios del profesor,” useful expressions when discussing feedback.
tener “Tener” means “to have” and names flexibility as another possible priority. It is followed by the noun flexibilidad, a common pattern for describing a quality or resource someone needs.
flexibilidad “Flexibilidad” means “flexibility” and refers here to the ability to accommodate a changing schedule. It is used with tener in “tener flexibilidad,” useful when discussing adaptable arrangements.
o “O” means “or” and separates the alternative priorities receiving feedback, having flexibility, and practicing conversation. It is useful for presenting choices between words, phrases, or activities.
practicar “Practicar” means “to practice” and names speaking practice as one possible priority. It is followed by “la conversación,” a useful pattern for describing practice of an activity or skill.
la “La” is the definite article before conversación in “la conversación.” It helps form the noun phrase for the specific conversation activity being considered and is placed before the noun.
conversación “Conversación” means “conversation” and refers here to conversation practice as a way to develop speaking. In “practicar la conversación,” it names the activity being practiced.
Necesito “Necesito” means “I need” and states that feedback is necessary for the speaker. It is followed by a noun in “Necesito comentarios,” a useful pattern for expressing a personal need.
pero “Pero” means “but” and contrasts the need for feedback with the changing schedule. The pattern clause + pero + clause is useful when adding an important limitation or opposing fact.
mi “Mi” means “my” and identifies the schedule as belonging to the speaker. It comes before horario, a useful possessive pattern for naming something connected with oneself.
horario “Horario” means “schedule” and is the thing that changes in the speaker’s situation. It appears in “mi horario cambia mucho,” useful when explaining availability or time constraints.
cambia “Cambia” means “changes” and describes the schedule as not staying the same. It is used with horario as the subject and can be followed by mucho to express frequent or significant change.
mucho “Mucho” means “a lot” here and emphasizes how often or how considerably the schedule changes. It follows the verb in “cambia mucho,” a useful pattern for describing a high degree or frequency.
Entonces “Entonces” means “then” or “so” and introduces a recommendation based on the changing schedule. It is useful at the start of a sentence when drawing a conclusion from what someone has just said.
quizá “Quizá” means “perhaps” or “maybe” and softens the recommendation that follows. It is useful before a clause when presenting a possibility rather than a certain conclusion.
te “Te” means “to you” in “te convenga más” and identifies the person for whom the course may be suitable. It appears before the verb in this clause, a common placement for this short object pronoun.
convenga In “quizá te convenga más,” “convenga” expresses that something may suit or be convenient for someone better. The expression is useful when recommending an option based on another person’s needs or circumstances.
un “Un” means “a” and introduces curso as one possible course. It is placed before the noun, a useful pattern when mentioning an unspecified option.
flexible “Flexible” means “flexible” and describes a course that can accommodate changing needs or schedules. It follows curso in “un curso flexible,” a useful pattern for describing an option’s quality.
con “Con” means “with” and links the course to the live sessions it offers. The pattern noun + con + noun is useful when describing what an option includes or provides alongside something else.
sesiones “Sesiones” means “sessions” and refers to the live meetings associated with the course. In “sesiones en directo,” it names the scheduled learning events, useful when discussing classes or meetings.
directo “Directo” means “live” in “sesiones en directo,” specifying that the sessions take place live rather than only through recorded material. The expression is useful for describing live classes, broadcasts, or events.
opcionales “Opcionales” means “optional” and says that the live sessions are available but not required. It modifies sesiones and is useful when distinguishing activities a learner may choose from activities they must attend.
Uno “Uno” means “one” in “Uno de los cursos” and refers to a single member of the group of courses. The pattern uno de + plural noun is useful when selecting one item from several.
los “Los” is the definite plural article in “los cursos,” referring to the defined group of courses under discussion. It appears before a plural noun, a useful pattern when identifying a particular set.
tiene “Tiene” means “has” and says that one course has very good reviews. It is used with a course as the subject and reseñas as the object, a useful pattern for describing what an option possesses or offers.
reseñas “Reseñas” means “reviews” and refers to evaluations of the course. In “reseñas muy buenas,” it describes the positive opinions people have expressed, useful when comparing products or services.
muy “Muy” means “very” and intensifies buenas in “reseñas muy buenas.” The pattern muy + adjective is useful for expressing a strong degree of a quality.
buenas “Buenas” means “good” and describes the reviews in “reseñas muy buenas.” Its form matches reseñas, and the full expression is useful when describing strongly positive evaluations.
ofrece “Ofrece” means “offers” or “provides” and says that the course provides speaking practice. It is followed by the thing offered, a useful pattern for describing what a course or service provides.
poca “Poca” means “little” or “a small amount of” and describes the limited amount of práctica. It comes before the noun in “muy poca práctica,” useful when indicating that there is not much of something.
práctica “Práctica” means “practice” and refers specifically to practice involving speaking. In “práctica oral,” it names the activity that the course offers only in a limited amount.
oral “Oral” means “oral” or “spoken” and specifies the type of practice being discussed. It follows práctica in “práctica oral,” useful when distinguishing speaking practice from other kinds of practice.
Si “Si” means “if” and introduces the condition that speaking is the learner’s goal. The pattern Si + clause is useful when explaining what will matter or happen under a particular condition.
hablar “Hablar” means “to speak” and functions here as the activity that may be the learner’s goal. In “hablar es tu objetivo,” an infinitive names the activity being treated as a goal.
tu “Tu” means “your” and identifies objetivo as belonging to the person being addressed. It comes before the noun in “tu objetivo,” a useful possessive pattern.
objetivo “Objetivo” means “goal” and refers to the learner’s intended result. In “hablar es tu objetivo,” it identifies speaking as the purpose that should guide the course choice.
esa “Esa” means “that” and points back to the lack of speaking practice just mentioned. It is placed before falta to identify a particular gap being discussed.
falta “Falta” means “lack” or “gap” in “esa falta de práctica” and refers to the missing speaking practice. The pattern falta de + noun is useful when naming what is absent or insufficient.
importa “Importa” means “matters” and says that the lack of speaking practice is relevant to the decision. The pattern subject + importa is useful when explaining why a factor is significant.
El “El” is the definite article in “El otro curso” and identifies the second course being discussed. It appears before a singular noun phrase, useful when referring to a specific option.
otro “Otro” means “other” and distinguishes this course from the one mentioned previously. In “El otro curso,” it is useful for referring to a second option in a comparison.
incluye “Incluye” means “includes” and says that the other course contains interactive classes and teacher comments. The pattern course + incluye + items is useful when listing what a program or service provides.
del “Del” means “of the” in “comentarios del profesor” and is the contraction of de and el. It links the comments with the teacher as their source or association, a useful pattern with a noun followed by del and a person.
profesor “Profesor” means “teacher” and identifies whose comments the course includes. In “comentarios del profesor,” it is useful for specifying the source of feedback.
Elige “Elige” means “choose” and gives the listener a direct recommendation to select one course. It is useful when telling one person to make a choice, especially in “Elige el que...”
que “Que” links “el” with the clause that specifies which course should be chosen in “el que se adapte a la forma...” It is useful for connecting a noun phrase with information that identifies or describes it.
se “Se” is part of the pronominal construction “se adapte,” which expresses fitting or adapting to something. With adapte, it forms the same adaptarse idea seen in “adaptarse a distintos estilos de aprendizaje.”
adapte In “se adapte a la forma en que realmente quieres aprender,” “adapte” expresses that the course fits the learner’s desired way of learning. The reusable pattern adaptarse a + noun is useful when matching an option to a person’s needs.
forma “Forma” means “way” or “manner” in “la forma en que realmente quieres aprender.” It identifies how the learner wants to learn, and the pattern la forma en que + clause is useful for describing a method or manner.
realmente “Realmente” means “really” or “actually” and emphasizes the learner’s genuine preferred way of learning. It appears before quieres, a useful position for an adverb that emphasizes the following idea.
quieres “Quieres” means “you want” and describes the addressee’s desired way of learning. It is followed by the infinitive aprender in “quieres aprender,” a useful pattern for expressing what someone wants to do.
aprender “Aprender” means “to learn” and completes “quieres aprender,” naming the activity the learner wants to do. The pattern querer + infinitive is useful for expressing a person’s intention or desire.

Grammar Points

sustantivo + adjetivos con concordancia

sesiones interactivas opcionales

seh-SYOH-nes een-teh-rahk-TEE-bahs op-syo-NAH-les

optional interactive sessions

Los adjetivos concuerdan en género y número con el sustantivo: sesiones es femenino plural.

falta de + sustantivo

falta de práctica

FAHL-tah deh PRAHK-tee-kah

lack of practice

La preposición de conecta falta con lo que falta; esta estructura expresa ausencia o carencia.

Spanish Vocabulary

adaptarse verb
ah-dahp-TAR-seh to adapt; to fit

parecen adaptarse a distintos estilos

comentarios noun
koh-men-TAH-ree-ohs feedback; comments

recibir comentarios

comparando verb
kohm-pah-RAHN-doh comparing

Estoy comparando cursos en línea.

conversación noun
kon-behr-sah-SYON conversation; speaking

practicar la conversación

cursos noun
KOOR-sohs courses

cursos en línea

distintos adj
dees-TEEN-tohs different

distintos estilos de aprendizaje

en línea phrase
en LEE-neh-ah online

cursos en línea

estilos de aprendizaje phrase
es-TEE-lohs deh ah-pren-dee-SAH-heh learning styles

distintos estilos de aprendizaje

flexibilidad noun
fleh-see-bee-lee-DAHD flexibility

tener flexibilidad

flexible adj
fleh-SEE-bleh flexible

un curso flexible

horario noun
oh-RAH-ree-oh schedule

mi horario cambia mucho

practicar verb
prahk-tee-KAHR to practice

practicar la conversación

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

feedback; comments

Show Answercomentarios

flexibility

Show Answerflexibilidad

to practice

Show Answerpracticar

comparing

Show Answercomparando