Language Resources by Nina
Full time language tutor since 2003. I specialize in fun readings and worksheets.
Featured resources
SALE
Complete Beginner German Workbook and Textbook ~ Deutsch für Anfänger (Gr. 8+)
This 84-page file is a complete beginner textbook and workbook that I've completed over my last 15 years of teaching/tutoring German. It includes careful explanations and exercises on all the topics covered in a first year German course. It also includes a detailed description of grammar terms and a full appendix with all the most important charts for studying the German language.
This PDF can be used on its own or as a complement to any beginner German language course of study.You can use it get its entirety or simply print out pages as worksheets.
Course Outline (It is thematic)
Unit 1: The Basics
Alphabet, pronunciation, greetings
Unit 2: Talking about Family
Family vocab, gender and plurals, haben
Unit 3: Describing People
Verb conjugations, sein
Unit 4: Numbers and Time Phrases
Numbers, Telling Time
Unit 5: My House
Word order
Unit 6: Common Irregular Verbs
Haben, sein, werden, The Weather
Unit 7: Asking Questions
Question Words, Stem-change Verbs
Unit 8: Talking about Hobbies
Months, Days of the Week, Modals
Unit 9: At a Restaurant
Nominative and Accusative, Possessives
Unit 10: Around Town
Prepositions of Place, Dative
Unit 11: At a Soccer Game
Comparatives and Superlatives
Unit 12: New Year’s Eve
Future tense
Unit 13: Taking a Trip
Separable prefix verbs
Unit 14: At the Movies
The Conversational Past
Unit 15: Grocery shopping
Expressing Likes, Gefallen, Gern haben
Unit 16: Daily Routines
Reflexive Verbs
Unit 17: A Postcard
Conjunctions
Unit 18: A Day in Berlin
The Simple Past, Modals
Unit 19: Renting an Apartment
Genitive Case, Adjective endings
Unit 20: A Day Hike
Relative Pronouns
Appendices A-E:
Declension Charts
Prepositions
Grammar Terms
SALE
Spanish Subjunctive Bundle - El subjuntivo - (3 Readings and 7 Worksheets!)
This 15-page bundle covers all the uses of the present subjunctive in Spanish.
1. Subjunctive Worksheet: Verbs of Influence
2. Subjunctive Worksheet: Impersonal Expressions
3. Subjunctive Worksheet: Verbs of Doubt and Emotion
4. Subjunctive vs. Indicative Worksheet: Conjunctions
5. Subjunctive Worksheet: Certain Expressions (Ojalá etc.)
6. Subjunctive vs. Indicative: Multiple-choice Worksheet
7. Subjunctive vs. Indicative: Translation Worksheet
8. Spanish Reading ~ An ideal boyfriend (2 pgs)
9. Spanish Reading ~ Apartment Hunt (2 pgs)
10. Spanish Reading ~ Giving Friends Advice (2 pgs)
11. Present Subjunctive Reference Sheet Handout
It includes:
-5 worksheets with between 10-14 exercises per page.
-1 multiple-choice worksheet
-1 translation worksheet
-3 Readings with a lot of common present subjunctive verb forms as well as a reading comprehension worksheets/writing sections.
-1 reference sheet for regular and irregular forms of the present subjunctive.
A great complement to any unit on the present subjunctive!
SALE
Spanish Readings MEGA Bundle: Latin Cultural Readings - 20 Lecturas Culturales!
This 35-page Spanish Reading Bundle includes ALL of my cultural readings at 55% off! The readings highlight culture from various Latin countries.
Each reading includes a glossary of new vocabulary and a reading comprehension section. File includes one reading each on:
1. Los gauchos y la yerba mate
2. El Toreo
3. Machu Picchu
4. La ropa tradicional
5. La comida tradicional
6. La sangría y las tapas
7. Mesoamérica
8. El fútbol
9. Música ~ Mariachi, Salsa y Cueca
10. El Tango
11. El flamenco
12. La Semana Santa y la Pascua
13. El cinco de mayo
14. El día de la madre
15. Navidad
16. El día de los muertos
17. El día de la raza
18. La quinceañera
19. Los padrinos
20. Las telenovelas
The readings are in a mixture of present and past tenses and therefore suitable for students of all levels. They may be used on their own or as a complement to your unit on music, food, history, culture etc.
These readings also make for great Sub Activities and Early Finisher Activities!
Day of the Dead Cultural Reading - Día de los Muertos (In English)
This English language cultural reading explain the significance and meaning of the Mexican celebration of Día de los Muertos. It highlights some specialized Spanish vocabulary up top and includes four reading comprehension questions.
Vocabulary includes:
copal
ofrendas
cempasuchil
calaveritas
Thanksgiving English Cultural Reading - (Pilgrims, Mayflower)
This English language cultural reading describes the history and meaning behind the holiday of Thanksgiving as celebrated in Canada and the US. It talks about the history of the first Thanksgiving in the United States in the 1620s and also its cultural significance today.
Reading is followed by 8 true/false reading comprehension questions.
Traditional Latin Clothing Cultural Reading - Poncho, Sombrero, Huipil (English)
This English language reading introduces students to the traditional clothing of Latin America. It includes one paragraph each on: the Poncho, Sombrero, Huipil.
Spanish vocabulary appears at the top with an English translation.
The reading is followed by six reading comprehension true/false questions.
Great for Hispanic heritage month!
Gauchos and Yerba Mate Cultural Reading (In English)
This English language reading is about the south American traditions of gauchos and the taking of yerba mate.
Spanish vocabulary is introduced at the top with English translations. The reading is followed by a true false reading comprehension section.
Meine Freundin Celine Lesung - My Friend Celine German Reading
This reading is about a young medical student who goes to Africa to volunteer with children. We also learn about her family and boss. This reading serves as good practice for describing people's appearance, personality, profession etc.
This reading is accompanied by a glossary of new vocabulary and 8 true/false reading comprehension questions.
Activity idea: After reading, have students show pictures of friends and describe them to their classmates.
Beim Fußballspiel Lesung - At a Soccer Game German Reading
This beginner level German reading is centered around two friends who go to a soccer game. The reading includes a glossary of new vocabulary, five reading comprehension questions and a conversation activity.
Includes:
spannend
die Mannschaft
gegeneinander
schießt
das Tor
der Spitzenspieler
der Schiedsrichter
der Elfmeter
Note: this reading is also available in my Complete Beginner German Workbook and Textbook and my Beginner German Reader.
En la oficina Lectura - Spanish Reading At the Office
This Spanish reading is focused around office and business vocabulary and discusses the typical day of Pedro, a young San Francisco-based IT worker. The reading includes a glossary of business related vocabulary and 8 true/false reading comprehension questions.
Vocabulary included:
el informático
los empleados
una reunión
el/la colega
el jefe, la jefa
los negocios
los correos electrónicos
las llamadas
Mon amie Celine Lecture - My Friend Celine French Reading
This reading is about a young medical student who goes to Africa to volunteer with children. We also learn about her family and boss. This reading serves as good practice for describing people's appearance, personality, profession etc.
This reading is accompanied by a glossary of new vocabulary and 10 true/false reading comprehension questions.
Por and Para Spanish Task Cards
This 6-page file includes:
20 Spanish task cards on Por and Para (5 pages x 4 cards)
Recording sheet
Example task card:
Gracias _____ el libro.
El alto ____ su familia.
Great review for this tricky grammar concept!
El Día de Acción de Gracias Lectura - Thanksgiving Spanish Reading + Handout
This 3-page file includes:
-A reading on the history and meaning of Thanksgiving. The reading includes glossary of new vocabulary.
-A reading comprehension worksheet.
-A handout featuring useful vocabulary for this holiday.
Activity idea: after reading the story together, students can discussed how they celebrate Thanksgiving using the new vocabulary.
Vocabulary examples:
la cosecha
la temporada
los peregrinos
el pavo
Spanish Verb Practice Drills - Mad Minute Quizzes - Review ALL 14 TENSES!
This 15-page file includes one sheet each on the following conjugation forms:
Present
Present Continuous
Imperfect
Preterite
Future
Conditional
Present perfect
Past perfect
Future perfect
Conditional perfect
Present subjunctive
Present perfect subjunctive
Imperfect subjunctive
Pluperfect subjunctive
BONUS* One blank sheet
These sheets can be used in class for test prep/review/drills/pop quizzes.
Each sheet includes one example conjugation. Includes a mixture of regular/stem-change/irregular verbs:
hablar
comer
vivir
beber
estudiar
mirar
abrir
dormir
querer
pensar
ir
buscar
ver
venir
ser
estar
hacer
poner
saber
Spanish Conversation Starter Task Cards for Beginners - Question Words
This 7-page file includes:
~24 task cards focused on asking questions (6 pages x 4 cards per sheet)
~Recording sheet
All 24 task cards feature questions beginning with interrogatives:
qué, quién, cuántos etc.
Example questions:
¿Cuál es tu número de teléfono?
¿Cuántos hermanos tienes?
¿Dónde viven tus abuelos?
Can be used alone, in pairs or in small groups!
Biographies of Famous Hispanics - Castro, Kahlo, Rivera, Picasso (In English)
This 8-page file offers all of my most popular hispanic biographies in English at 50% off! Bundle includes one bio each on:
1. Eva Perón (Argentine First Lady)
2. Fidel Castro (Cuban Revolutionary)
3. Frida Kahlo (Mexican artist)
4. Rigoberta Menchú (Guatemalan activist)
5. Pablo Picasso (Spanish painter)
6. Diego Rivera (Mexican muralist)
7. Shakira (Colombian singer)
8. Messi (Argentine Soccer player)
Reading comprehension questions are included with each reading. Great for Hispanic heritage month!
ESL/EFL TASK CARDS - Conversation Starters (Grades 7-12)
This 7-page file includes:
~24 task cards with Conversation starters (6 pages x 4 cards per sheet)
~Recording sheet
These task cards provide a great way to get students talking in the target language!
Example Questions:
What holiday do you most look forward to?
What is your favorite time of day?
What three qualities do you look for in a friend?
How do you like to spend time on your own?
BUNDLE
Spanish Task Cards Bundle
This bundle includes all of my Spanish task cards at 40% off!
Talking about friends
Present Subjunctive
Spanish Conversation Starters - Question Words
Trivia task cards!
Present Subjunctive Task Cards - Subjuntivo
This 8-page file includes:
~24 task cards focused on the present subjunctive (6 cards x 4 cards per sheet)
~Recording sheet
~Answer key
These task cards provide a perfect cumulative review of the WEIRDO acronym as they include a mixture of:
Verbal expressions:
quiero que...
insisto que..
Impersonal expressions:
Es bueno que...
Es raro que...
Emotions:
Me alegra de que....
Temo que...
Conjunctions:
Estudia para que...
Other expressions:
Ojalá que....
Regular and irregular verbs are featured!
Imperfect Subjunctive Task Cards - Imperfecto de Subjuntivo
This 8-page file includes:
~24 task cards focused on the imperfect subjunctive (6 cards x 4 cards per sheet)
~Recording sheet
~Answer key
These task cards provide a perfect cumulative review of the WEIRDO acronym as they include a mixture of:
Verbal expressions:
deseaba que...
insistía que..
Impersonal expressions:
Era bueno que...
Era raro que...
Emotions:
Me alegraba de que....
Temaba que...
Conjunctions:
Estudiaba para que....
Regular and irregular verbs are featured!
SALE
La fiesta de Halloween Lectura - Spanish Halloween Script + Handout
In this fun Spanish reading three friends are attending a school Halloween party together. They talk about their costumes, the decorations at the party and how they all know each other. The reading includes a glossary of new Halloween related vocabulary and and 8 true/false reading comprehension questions. The second page is a handout with numerous Halloween related phrases for students to write their own script about what they are planning to do for Halloween.
Activity idea: This script contains three parts. Put students in groups of three to read and translate the script together.
Vocab examples:
el disfraz
espantoso
el esqueleto
el loro
vestido como
la máscara
las arañas
BUNDLE
German Task Cards Bundle
German Task Cards Bundle at over 40% off!
Case Review
All about me
Conversation Starters
Verbs
German Conversation Starter Task Cards - Deutsch Sprechen (Beginner Level A1/A2)
This 7-page file includes:
~24 task cards with Conversation starters (6 pages x 4 cards per sheet)
~Recording sheet
These task cards provide a great way to get beginner students talking in the target language!
Example Questions:
Was für Musik hast du gern?
Was ist dein Lieblingsfach in der Schule?
Wie oft gehst du ins Kino?
Wohin reist du gern?
Wie lange schläfst du?
Just print out on card stock or laminate and enjoy!
SALE
Au Restaurant Lecture en Français - French Reading The Restaurant (conditionnel)
This French reading is a script between two friends who are out enjoying a meal at a restaurant. Students are introduced to the conditional form of verbs as used for polite requests. The reading includes a short glossary of new vocabulary and five reading comprehension questions.
Activity idea: after reading the script in groups of three, have students write their own script to perform for the class where they role-play going out to eat.