Politics and society
Discussing social issues and public policy
Context
Listen to the dialogue. Tap the speaker to hear each line.
Jorge
¿Qué opinas de la nueva reforma educativa?
What do you think of the new education reform?
Lucía
Creo que es un paso adelante, pero no es suficiente.
I think it is a step forward, but it is not enough.
Jorge
¿Qué le falta?
What is missing?
Lucía
Falta inversión en las escuelas públicas y mejor preparación para los docentes.
There is a lack of investment in public schools and better teacher training.
Jorge
Si yo fuera ministro, empezaría por mejorar los salarios de los profesores.
If I were the minister, I would start by improving teachers' salaries.
Lucía
Totalmente de acuerdo. La educación es la base de la sociedad.
Totally agree. Education is the foundation of society.
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Vocabulary
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la sociedad
La sociedad cambia constantemente.
'Social' adjective: problemas sociales.
the society
Savela inversión
La inversión en salud es prioritaria.
'Invertir en' = to invest in (e→ie).
the investment
Saveel gobierno
El gobierno presentó su plan.
Political trio: gobierno, congreso, tribunales.
the government
Savela política
No me gusta hablar de política.
'La política pública' = public policy.
the politics / policy
Savela seguridad
La seguridad es un tema clave en las elecciones.
'La seguridad ciudadana' = public safety.
the security / safety
SaveGrammar in 1 minute
Conditional sentences (si + imperfect subjunctive + conditional)
Hypotheticals: 'si + imperfect subjunctive, + conditional'. 'Si yo fuera ministro, empezaría por...'. Forms: sería, haría, tendría, podría, empezaría.
Si tuviera más recursos, invertiría en educación. Si pudiéramos, cambiaríamos la ley.
Key: si yo fuera/tuviera/pudiera + conditional.
Opinion expressions + que
'Creo que', 'pienso que', 'opino que', 'me parece que' all take the indicative for facts: 'creo que es un paso adelante'. 'No creo que' takes the subjunctive: 'no creo que sea suficiente'.
Creo que la reforma es positiva. No creo que sea suficiente.
Affirmative opinion → indicative; negative opinion → subjunctive.
Interactive practice
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What would the speaker do as minister?
Listen and choose the correct option.
What would the speaker do as minister?
Si yo … ministro, empezaría por la educación.
Write the missing word or words.
Accents optional: write "como estas" and it works.
matching
Connect each Spanish word with its English meaning.
Write a hypothetical: if you were president, what would you…
Write your answer in Spanish.
Write a hypothetical: if you were president, what would you change? (si fuera + conditional)
Suggested answer: Si yo fuera presidente, invertiría más en educación y salud.
Si yo fuera ministro, empezaría por mejorar los salarios.
Listen and repeat the sentence out loud.
Si yo fuera ministro, empezaría por mejorar los salarios.
If I were the minister, I would start by improving salaries.
Listen, pause and repeat out loud. Repeat 3 times until it sounds natural.
Pronunciation trainer
Final quiz
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