Comprehensible input Spanish is a simple, powerful way to learn vocabulary and structures naturally. This lesson focuses on the countries of the Spanish-speaking world and their capitals. You will see short, repeated question and answer pairs in Spanish with clear English support so you can absorb the sounds, patterns, and meanings without heavy grammar explanations.

How this lesson works

The method uses natural repetition. Read or listen to each Spanish question and answer several times. This is the essence of Comprehensible input spanish: lots of understandable input, low stress, and frequent recycling of vocabulary.

Country and capital pairs (Spanish with English translations)

Say each line out loud if you can. Pause between question and answer, try to predict the capital, then check the answer.

• ¿Cuál es la capital de México? — Ciudad de México (Mexico City)
• ¿Cuál es la capital de Guatemala? — Ciudad de Guatemala (Guatemala City)
• ¿Cuál es la capital de El Salvador? — San Salvador
• ¿Cuál es la capital de Costa Rica? — San José
• ¿Cuál es la capital de Nicaragua? — Managua
• ¿Cuál es la capital de Panamá? — Ciudad de Panamá (Panama City)
• ¿Cuál es la capital de Colombia? — Bogotá
• ¿Cuál es la capital de Honduras? — Tegucigalpa
• ¿Cuál es la capital de Uruguay? — Montevideo
• ¿Cuál es la capital de Venezuela? — Caracas
• ¿Cuál es la capital de Ecuador? — Quito
• ¿Cuál es la capital de Perú? — Lima
• ¿Cuál es la capital de Bolivia? — La Paz and Sucre (administrative and constitutional)
• ¿Cuál es la capital de Paraguay? — Asunción
• ¿Cuál es la capital de Chile? — Santiago
• ¿Cuál es la capital de Argentina? — Buenos Aires
• ¿Cuál es la capital de España? — Madrid
• ¿Cuál es la capital de Cuba? — La Habana
• ¿Cuál es la capital de la República Dominicana? — Santo Domingo
• ¿Cuál es la capital de Puerto Rico? — San Juan
• ¿Cuál es la capital de Guinea Ecuatorial? — Malabo

Pronunciation and speaking tips

To internalise these pairs, focus on rhythm and stress more than perfect pronunciation. Try these small actions:

• Repeat each question once and each answer twice. Repetition builds familiarity.
• Shadow the Spanish lines: listen or read, then immediately say the line aloud under your breath.
• Use short pauses: ask the question, count to three in your head, then answer in Spanish.
• Group similar capitals to compare sounds: San José, San Salvador, San Juan. Notice the shared pattern.

Practice activities

These quick exercises use Comprehensible input Spanish principles: input first, output later.

1. Prediction drill. Read the question in Spanish and say the capital before checking the answer.
2. Cover and recall. Cover the answers and write as many capitals as you can from memory.
3. Matching quiz. Match a list of countries to capitals on paper or in a flashcard app.
4. Timed recall. Set a 3-minute timer and list as many country-capital pairs as you can.
5. Teach someone. Explain five country-capital pairs to a friend in English, then say them in Spanish.

Mini quiz (self-check)

Answer these in Spanish or English. Use the list above to check yourself.

1. What is the capital of Perú?
2. What is the capital of Guatemala?
3. What is the capital of Cuba?
4. What is the capital of Ecuador?
5. What two cities are important capitals in Bolivia?

Teaching ideas

I suggest keeping input comprehensible and low pressure. Use short, meaningful repetitions and visuals such as maps if you are teaching. These strategies promote long-term retention and confidence when speaking.

Where to go next

After you are comfortable with this set of capitals, extend the practice by:

• Adding vocabulary: adjectives for countries (por ejemplo, mexicano, guatemalteco).
• Creating simple sentences: La capital de Chile es Santiago.
• Practising with a map to connect words to places visually.

Regular exposure and repetition are the heart of Comprehensible input Spanish. Short daily sessions that are interesting and stress-free will produce more progress than long, infrequent study marathons.

Consider doing a speed dating activity in which students play characters from the Spanish-speaking world. This is a chance to recycle basic greetings and biographical information.

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