Curso Primero: Workbook for a First Course in Spanish

by Marvin Wasserman and Carol Wasserman

Amsco

Parents who have a reasonable grasp of Spanish might want to use this inexpensive tool for teaching Spanish. Instruction is cursory, reflecting the book’s design to be used as a supplement to another form of instruction. There is strong emphasis on grammar throughout, taking students through present tense verbs, nouns, articles, adjectives, “to be,” numbers, time, preterite tense, and pronouns. Optional chapters cover commands, present participles with estar, position of object pronouns, and future tense. Grouped vocabulary words, relating to such topics as school, home, and food, can be used to extend vocabulary before actually getting to the exercises in those chapters at the end of the book.

Reading and listening practice exercises are included at the end, requiring assistance from someone familiar with proper pronunciation and at least the basics of Spanish.

Students using this book can develop a solid grasp of Spanish grammar, as well as good reading and writing ability. However, I do not recommend this book to parents with no Spanish background, because they will find it difficult to determine important points of each lesson and fill in meanings for words whose definitions have not yet been taught.

Verb charts and vocabulary lists (English-Spanish and Spanish-English) are at the back of the book. An inexpensive answer key is available.

Curso Segundo and Curso Tercero in the same format are also available from Amsco. These should be best for junior and senior high level.