Essential English Vocabulary and Modal Verb Usage

Essential Vocabulary: Professions and Occupations

• Administrator (Administrador/a)
• Architect (Arquitecto/a)
• Builder (Albañil/Obrero de construcción)
• Chef (Cocinero/a)
• Dentist (Dentista)
• Doctor (Doctor/a)
• Engineer (Ingeniero/a)
• Factory Worker (Trabajador/a de fábrica)
• Flight Attendant (Azafata/Auxiliar de vuelo)
• Footballer (Jugador/a de fútbol)
• Hairdresser (Peluquero/a)
• Journalist (Periodista)
• Lawyer (Abogado/a)
• Bank Manager (Director/a de banco)
• Model (Modelo)
• Musician (Músico/a)
• Nurse (Enfermero/a)
• Pilot (Piloto de avión)
• Policeman / Police Officer (Policía / Oficial de policía)
• Receptionist (Recepcionista)
• Shop Assistant (Dependiente/a)
• Soldier (Soldado/a)
• Teacher (Profesor/a)
• Vet (Veterinario/a)
• Waiter (Camarero/a)
• Businessman / Businesswoman (Hombre/Mujer de negocios)
• Secretary (Secretario/a)
• Cleaner (Limpiador/a)
• Lorry Driver (Conductor/a de camión)

Climate Change Terminology

• Greenhouse Effect (Efecto invernadero)
• Sea Level Rise (Aumento del nivel del mar)
• Global Warming (El calentamiento global)
• Scientists (Científicos)
• Sea Ice Melt (Derretimiento del hielo marino)
• Glaciers (Glaciares)
• Erode (Erosionar)
• Ecosystems (Ecosistemas)
• Polar Regions (Regiones polares)
• Rainfall (Precipitación)
• Become Extinct (Se extinguen)
• Adapt (Adaptan)
• Temperatures (Temperaturas)
• Threatened Species / Habitat Loss (Especies en peligro / Pérdida de hábitat)
• Weather Patterns (Patrones climáticos)
• Coastal Areas (Zonas costeras)
• Floods (Inundaciones)
• Plague / Pests (Plagas)
• Droughts (Sequías)
• Water Shortages (Escasez de agua)
• Pests and Diseases (Plagas y enfermedades)
• Carbon Dioxide (Dióxido de carbono)

English Grammar: Future Tenses and Modal Verbs

Future Tense: Going To

Used for actions that are planned or when there is present evidence that something is about to happen (prevision based on the present).

• Plans/Intentions: (If you have money) I'm going to buy a new CD.
• Present Evidence: (Look at the tree!) It is going to fall.

Future Tense: Will

Used for spontaneous decisions, requests, promises, predictions (without present evidence), and offers.

• Spontaneous Decisions: Taking a decision at the moment of speaking.
• Requests: Will you help me?
• Promises: I will love you forever.
• Predictions: (General predictions, fortune telling, or weather forecasts)
• Offers: I will help you.

Modal Verbs of Obligation and Necessity

Must (Strong Obligation)

Expresses strong personal obligation (often internal or based on a law).

• Obligation: You must stop smoking.
• Example: Bye, I will be back soon. (Spontaneous decision/promise)

Have To (External Obligation)

Expresses obligation imposed by external rules, laws, or other people (e.g., parents' rules).

• Obligation: I have to stop smoking. I have to get up at seven every day.
• Conjugation Note: Remember to use the correct auxiliary verbs and forms: I have, she has. We don't have, he doesn't have.

Mustn't (Prohibition)

Expresses strong prohibition (No debes).

• Prohibition: You mustn't take photos in the museum.

Don't Have To (Lack of Obligation)

Expresses lack of necessity (No hace falta).

• Lack of Obligation: You don't have to go to school on Saturday.

Modal Verbs of Ability and Advice

Can (Present Ability and Possibility)

Used to express ability (saber) or possibility (poder) in the present.

• Ability: I can swim.
• Request/Possibility: Can I leave early?

Could (Past Ability and Possibility)

The past form of Can.

• Past Ability: He could swim when he was 5.
• Past Possibility/Inability: She couldn't find the keys.

Should (Advice or Opinion)

Used to give advice or express an opinion (Deberías).

• Advice: You should learn to drive. You should see a doctor.