Readings

Reading is an important skill, and fortunately a bit easier than understanding speech.  This is because normally reading isn't subject to the need for quick understanding--you can take your time with reading, use a dictionary, etc.

Our newest reading is a book of stories about the Mexico that existed only a few years ago, and is now gone forever.  Its title is "El pueblo que fuimos" (The People We Were), and it is full of useful cultural references that apply to much of Latin America as well as to Mexico.  It is here.

Another reading is a project of university students to define the qualities the Mexican of the 21st century must have.  This is a rare opportunity to learn what young Mexicans think of their country and their countrymen.  
Characteristics of the Mexican for the 21st century:

Spanish Version

Version with Translation

We have included a few readings from the textbooks used in Mexican schools to give you an idea of what Spanish-speaking children are expected to know.  These are in Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) format. 

First Day of School

     Reading in Spanish (pdf)

     Activity  (pdf)

     Translation  (pdf)

The following two readings are in Spanish, with notes to help you understand.  Don't get discouraged, if you keep working you'll breeze through things like these.

¿Qué le pasa a María?  (What's wrong with Maria?)  (pdf)

Hidalgo y Morelos  (pdf)