Lesson 1.1 — Construir un argumento — Building an argument (Spanish B2)

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Two students prepare a debate on whether universities should be free.

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por un lado… por otro ladoon one hand… on the other hand 🔊

cabe destacar queit is worth highlighting that 🔊

el argumento de pesothe strong/weighty argument 🔊

respaldar una tesisto back up a thesis 🔊

a fin de cuentaswhen all is said and done 🔊

el planteamientothe approach / framing 🔊

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« Aunque tengas razón en parte, mi argumento principal sigue en pie. » 🔊

Even if you're partly right, my main argument still stands.

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Pronunciation

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Mi tesis es clara: la universidad pública debería ser gratuita para todos. 🔊My thesis is clear: public university should be free for everyone.

Aunque sea un ideal noble, ¿de dónde saldría el dinero? 🔊Even though that may be a noble ideal, where would the money come from?

Por un lado, de los impuestos; por otro, de recortar gastos superfluos. 🔊On one hand, from taxes; on the other, from cutting unnecessary spending.

Cabe destacar que aunque suba la matrícula, hay becas para los más vulnerables. 🔊It is worth highlighting that even if tuition rises, there are grants for the most vulnerable.

Cierto, pero un argumento de peso es que la deuda estudiantil frena a toda una generación. 🔊True, but a weighty argument is that student debt holds back a whole generation.

A fin de cuentas, deberíamos respaldar la tesis con datos, no solo con buenas intenciones. 🔊When all is said and done, we should back up the thesis with data, not just good intentions.

Grammar in focus · « aunque » + subjunctive vs indicative

« Aunque » takes the subjunctive when the concession is hypothetical or not presented as a known fact: « Aunque sea difícil, lo intentaré » (Even if it's difficult — I don't concede it is). It takes the indicative when the speaker accepts the fact as real: « Aunque es difícil, lo intentaré » (Although it is difficult — a known fact). At B2, choose deliberately: « Aunque suba la matrícula » projects a possibility; « Aunque ha subido » reports reality.

Write it yourself

Write a short argumentative paragraph (4–5 sentences) defending one position, using « aunque » + subjunctive at least once.

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Tip for this task
Aim for: thesis → supporting point → concession with « aunque » → restatement. « ¡Bien! » Watch the mood choice: « Aunque cueste dinero, vale la pena » (hypothetical concession, subjunctive). Don't forget a closing connector like « a fin de cuentas ».

Quick check

An adaptive quiz confirms you've got it and schedules the right words for review.

1. « Aunque ___ caro, lo compraré » (I don't concede it's expensive — hypothetical).

2. Which connector best opens a two-sided argument?

3. « Cabe destacar que » introduces…

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