Language Comparisons
Aligned to ACTFL Comparisons — ACTFL World-Readiness Standards.
What this lesson teaches
Comparing a new language to English helps you understand how both work. You notice patterns: words that look alike (cognates), different word order, and idioms that do not translate literally. Spotting these patterns speeds up your learning and even sharpens your English.
Worked example
In Spanish you say 'la casa blanca' (the house white), placing the color after the noun, while English puts it before: 'the white house.'
Practice questions
- Give an example of a cognate between English and another language.
- Why might word order differ between two languages?
- How can comparing languages help your English too?
Watch the lesson
Every lesson comes with a video taught in English and Spanish — the same video the QR code in the printed workbook opens.
▶ Watch this lessonEn español
Comparaciones entre idiomas
Comparar un idioma nuevo con el inglés te ayuda a entender cómo funcionan ambos. Puedes notar patrones: palabras que se parecen (cognados), diferente orden de palabras y expresiones idiomáticas que no se traducen literalmente. Identificar estos patrones acelera tu aprendizaje e incluso afina tu inglés.
Ejemplo: En español se dice 'la casa blanca' (the house white), colocando el color después del sustantivo, mientras que en inglés va antes: 'the white house.'
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