Where is the unit on ABCs, numbers, etc.?

In general, the topics that are most commonly covered in beginner classes (numbers, ABCs, colors, days of the week, etc.) are not really the meat of the language. Lessons that isolate and drill them rarely lead to communicative proficiency, because they don’t give students enough meaningful, repeated exposure in context to build an internal language system. In other words, students may be able to recite numbers or name colors on command, but that ability does not automatically transfer to understanding or communicating in real situations. And, they only support communication in rather limited contexts: spelling a name, giving the date, etc. This language does matter; just not in the way it’s often taught.

Numbers, colors, letters, greetings, days of the week, months, and similar language naturally appear in authentic communication. We use them when we talk about time, schedules, ages, dates, prices, preferences, descriptions, and routines. For that reason, in Somos these words are intentionally woven into daily interactions, stories, class conversations, and readings rather than treated as isolated units with separate quizzes or worksheets.

This approach reflects how language is actually acquired. Students encounter these words again and again in meaningful contexts, hear them used for real purposes, and gradually internalize them without needing a dedicated “numbers unit” or “colors chapter.” Over time, comprehension becomes automatic, and production follows naturally when students are ready.

If you ever feel uneasy because you’re not “covering” these topics in the traditional sense, it can be helpful to reframe the goal: the objective is not short-term recall of lists, but long-term comprehension and communicative ability. Somos prioritizes depth, frequency, and meaningful use over breadth and memorization in order to support growth in proficiency.  

FURTHER READING

• The Problem with Numbers: Word Frequency by Bryce Hedstrom (BryceHedstrom.com)
• How should I teach boring stuff like numbers, weather, and pronouns? by Chris Stoltz (TPRS Questions & Answers)

LESSON MATERIALS WITH SPECIFIC LANGUAGE CONNECTIONS

Look on our curriculum maps (Somos 1, Somos 2, Nous Sommes, Somos Hybrid 1 & 2) for more information!