Picture the gate of a Spanish primary school just before nine. Children wave to friends in the patio and greet the teacher at the door. Before nine o'clock this morning, how many different ways did you say hello? Think of family, friends, teachers, the bus driver. Let's collect four from the class.

Here are today's eight Spanish greeting phrases, met in two short groups. First come the four time-of-day hellos, then the four that ask how someone is or say nice to meet you. Listen to each one, then say it back together. Listen for the soft h in Hola: it is almost silent, not like the English h in hello. For the how-are-you pair: ¿Cómo estás? is for a friend; ¿Cómo está usted? is for a teacher or other adult. Listen for the extra word usted.

Volunteers flip two cards on the board. When a Spanish card turns, everyone says the Spanish aloud together. Find each Spanish greeting paired with its English meaning.

You bump into your partner at the school gate. Watch the three short model exchanges first, then act them out with your partner using the prompts on the board. Take turns so each of you is Partner A and Partner B. One exchange is with a classmate, one is with a teacher in the morning, and one uses an afternoon or evening hello.