For the passionate intermediate Spanish student…
What if you could finally add to, and feel enriched by conversations with native Spanish speakers in the past tense?
For the passionate intermediate Spanish student…
What if you could finally add to, and feel enriched by conversations with native Spanish speakers in the past tense?
So you’ve reached a respectable level of Spanish by mastering the present tense and some key phrases that help you communicate in some situations.
But, when you get to the point in the conversation where you have to describe events in the past, you get tongue-tied. You just can’t keep all the preterit conjugations straight, "Was it hicó or hizo?" "Seguió or siguió?" “Recuerdaron or recordaron?" “Traeron or trajeron?"
You feel embarrassed and frustrated that you can’t express yourself confidently in the past tense and you’re tired of taking so much time to conjugate in your head.
Up until now, you’ve dabbled in some intermediate learning resources (i.e. courses, group programs, etc.) but you’re overwhelmed with everything you’re supposed to grasp.
You’ve also been through a few Spanish tutors, and while you do enjoy the conversation practice, your teachers don’t seem to correct you enough, nor give you structure on how to improve your spoken Spanish.
Most days you feel defeated with Spanish and wonder, “What is the most important thing I should learn to help me reach conversational fluency the fastest?”
But you haven’t lost sight of your goal to have a full-blown conversation with a native speaker. You can see the conversation unfold - as you're out for dinner, ordering for your entire group, and asking questions to your waiter. It’s this vision alone, and that sheer sense of personal accomplishment that keeps you motivated to continue on your language-learning journey.
After learning Spanish in my early 20s and now teaching it to other adults, I’ve realized there are
Three core reasons that cause most people to fall shy of their fluency goals at the intermediate level:
Feeling overwhelmed with too many materials and not enough direction
You’ve got apps, books, and free resources all laid out in front of you but there is just so much to learn at the intermediate level and you have no idea where to start first.
Focusing too much time on learning the wrong things
Without a road map, you spend too much time learning lesser-used tenses/moods (i.e. the imperative, the conditional, the past perfect) rather than focusing on the tenses that you can start using right away in everyday conversation.
Failure to practice the language on your own BEFORE having a conversation
By not practicing new words and conjugations out loud, beforehand, you get tongue-tied once you're in a face-to-face conversation with a native speaker.
Normally, one of these three culprits leads us to fall short of our conversational fluency goals at the intermediate level. That's why I knew I needed to create a course that...
- cuts out the overwhelm
- ensures you’re focusing on the thing that will be the most useful to you in everyday conversation
- encourages you to start practicing the language out loud, in order to guarantee your success at the intermediate level
Hola, Soy Dominique
salsa dancer, world traveler, and red wine enthusiast who was standing right where you were ten years ago
Yup, ten years ago, I boarded a plane with a one-way ticket to Barcelona to learn Spanish. Later, my love of Spanish took me to Madrid and Mexico City, where my level shot up, and I got all the fancy certifications.
Looking back on those years I spent living abroad, I see now how much learning Spanish helped me spread my alas, or my wings to fly and transform into the person I am today. With my endless search for Spanish, friends lovingly began calling me La Mariposa - or the butterfly - which has stuck with me ever since.
After breaking through the intermediate plateau myself, I want to save you some of the pain by simplifying your path to conversational fluency.
My mission is to bridge the gap between Spanish and English by breaking down difficult concepts in a simple, relatable way so that you can spend less time feeling lost and more time progressing.
In the end, I hope that you too can be transformed by this incredible language and surrounding culture that has enchanted me for over a decade.
Which is why I'm so excited to invite you to join...
Polishing the Preterit
The self-paced course for intermediate Spanish learners looking to master the preterit tense and speak confidently about events in the past.
Here’s what you can expect after completing this intentional course.
You'll learn how to:
- Grow your confidence in the preterit so that you can stop clamming up when sharing events about your life
- Recall the preterit conjugations quickly and naturally without stopping to conjugate
- Know instinctively how to use certain verbs that change meaning in the preterit even if they still seem a little foreign to you
- Pinpoint and correct common pronunciation errors made by American-English speakers so that you can sound like a native speaker
- Appreciate stories in real-time as they are told by native speakers without their words getting lost in translation
Here’s What’s Inside Polishing the Preterit
module one
The Law of the Land - Regular Preterit Tense Verbs
Learn the basic framework of the Spanish preterit along with the two most common pronunciation errors made by native English speakers.
Walk away with an understanding of how accents and pronunciation work when speaking in the preterit. You’ll feel loads more comfortable comprehending natural spoken Spanish by having learned the basics after your first week inside.
module two
Rules Are Made to Be Broken - Irregular Verbs in the Preterit
Discover the most common irregular verbs in the preterit tense that you can immediately apply to your everyday conversations.
Walk away with the confidence to start combining regular and irregular preterit verbs to form beautifully crafted past tense sentences. You’ll feel a sense of accomplishment when you’re able to recall the conjugations quickly by using some of my key memorization tips.
module three
The Misfits - Verbs with Stem & Spelling Changes in the Preterit
Identify verbs with stem and spelling change patterns in the preterit tense and discover how you can quickly pull them from your memory.
Walk away with all the pieces of the puzzle to start expressing yourself in the past tense. You’ll feel a huge sense of joy when you begin to use all preterit tense verbs with ease.
module four
Think Twice: Ser and Estar & Other Verbs that Change Meaning in the Preterit
Master the uses of ser and estar in the preterit as well as verbs that change meaning so that you can begin using them as a native speaker right away.
Walk away with a deeper understanding of verbs that change meaning in the preterit so that you can use them confidently in everyday conversation. You’ll feel a sense of accomplishment as you start to use them like a native speaker.
but that's not all!
Once you register for Polishing the Preterit, you'll also tap into these perfectly curated resources to cement new concepts and put them into practice. This is where the implementation happens and where you really see your ability to communicate soar.
Phenomenal Practice and Reference Worksheets
Resource 01
Instantly practice new skills through specially tailored worksheets to start exercising your Spanish preterit muscle, so you’re ready to use it in real life.
World-Class Worksheet Review Videos
Resource 02
Get detailed feedback on each worksheet as if you were having a live class via recorded reviews of each practice worksheet.
Perfected Pronunciation Activities
Resource 03
Learn the memorization strategies I used to master the preterit tense and use it naturally in conversation - without having to conjugate in my head.
Exceptional Email Support
Resource 04
Got a question?
Send me a direct email and I’ll get back to you within 48 hours with a detailed response.
BONUS How to Form a Language Learning Habit Video Lesson
Bonus
Learn my top strategies for developing a strong language learning habit from day one.
What other students are saying...
"I feel like I now have a deeper understanding of the preterit and how to avoid common pronunciation errors."
I have a full-time job and am a mom of two so I’m very busy. The way Dominique structures the course allows for each person to fit it into their schedule and take it wherever they go which is just what I needed.
~ Melissa, Sacramento, CA
Polishing the Preterit
The self-paced course for intermediate Spanish learners looking to master the preterit tense and speak confidently about events in the past
Here’s A Recap of Everything Included
Polishing the Preterit Course - 4 modules (Value $297)
MODULE 01: The Law of the Land - Regular Preterit Tense Verbs
MODULE 02: Rules Are Made to Be Broken - Irregular Verbs in the Preterit
MODULE 03: The Misfits - Verbs with Stem & Spelling Changes in the Preterit
MODULE 04: Think Twice: Ser and Estar & Other Verbs that Change Meaning in the Preterit
Phenomenal Practice & Reference Worksheets (Value $167)
World-Class Worksheet Review Videos (Value $177)
Perfected Pronunciation Activities (Value $127)
Exceptional Email Support ($147)
BONUS "How to Form a Language Learning Habit" Video Lesson (Value $97)
Total Value = $1,012
Normal Price: $247
Today's Price: $97
Still not sure if Polishing the Preterit is right for you?
Let’s level. You’re ready to speak confidently in the Spanish past tense inside Polishing the Preterit if...
You are…
👉 ready to reach a solid intermediate level in Spanish
👉 tired of getting tongue-tied when speaking about past events in Spanish
You have…
👉 two hours a week to really focus on mastering the preterit tense
👉 a strong language learning habit that you already follow in your everyday life
You want…
👉 to recount stories and past events about your life in Spanish without clamming up or stopping to conjugate in your head
La Mariposa Guarantee
You’re here because you want to dramatically transform your ability to comprehend and communicate in Spanish. You’re on a mission to fulfill your goals of speaking Spanish and feel the ultimate satisfaction when you can hold a conversation in the past tense. All without clamming up or conjugating in your head. And I know this course is the integral piece in getting you there!
The truth is, from my personal experience, I know that achieving fluency in Spanish is such a personal journey. Which is why I promise that this course will not only present the structural building blocks of the preterit in a clear practical way, but will also offer you the guidance to see a real transformation in your confidence with speaking in the past tense in Spanish.
If you don’t see a noticeable improvement in your Spanish confidence and communication after completing these four modules, just shoot me an email and I promise to offer you a full refund. No pasa nada.
So tell me more about La Mariposa
Friends and family gave me the nickname La Mariposa (i.e., the butterfly) after I spent years traveling the world to master Spanish. Learning the language truly gave me the wings to fly.
Hola! Soy Dominique
salsa dancer, world traveler, red wine enthusiast, and your Spanish coach behind Polishing the Preterit
It all started when I was about a year out of college. I found myself in a soul-crushing, corporate-American job. Most days, I would sit at my desk thinking, “Is this it?” So, I decided to do something a little crazy. I sold everything I owned, packed my life into two suitcases, and bought a one-way ticket to Barcelona, Spain, to live with a host family for a year.
After taking years of Spanish in high school and college, I thought I would have no trouble navigating my way through a Spanish-speaking country. But oh, how I was wrong. I was shocked that I could barely put together a few sentences. I felt so frustrated, thinking to myself, “ugh, I should know more than this!”
I finally put my foot down and dove into learning Spanish - for real this time.
Learning a second language as an adult was hard, really, REALLY hard. But, in the end, it was SO worth it because I not only mastered a new language but gained a new identity. I now have a completely different perspective on the world and am exposed to opportunities to have meaningful experiences and authentic connections with people I wouldn’t have otherwise.
That’s why I’ve made it my mission to share what you actually need to know to communicate confidently in Spanish - without all the fluff and the noise.
I’m so excited to invite you to take, what I consider, the most important foundational step into the intermediate level - mastering the preterit tense.
What other students are saying...
“This course reinforced for me that book knowledge is not enough, that I really have to practice to use the preterit properly in speaking and writing”
Initially, I hesitated to sign up for the course because I thought it might be too basic but it turned out to be very worthwhile. The information on the use of ser and estar and other verbs in the preterit was especially helpful to me.
~ John, Tennessee
FAQ
Hey there amigo/a, I’m sure you’ve got a few questions. Let’s grab a cup of coffee, have a seat at the kitchen table, and jump right into them!
Polishing the Preterit
The self-paced course for intermediate Spanish learners looking to master the preterit tense and speak confidently about events in the past
Here’s A Recap of Everything Included
Polishing the Preterit Course - 4 modules (Value $297)
MODULE 01: The Law of the Land - Regular Preterit Tense Verbs
MODULE 02: Rules Are Made to Be Broken - Irregular Verbs in the Preterit
MODULE 03: The Misfits - Verbs with Stem & Spelling Changes in the Preterit
MODULE 04: Think Twice: Ser and Estar & Other Verbs that Change Meaning in the Preterit
Phenomenal Practice & Reference Worksheets (Value $167)
World-Class Worksheet Review Videos (Value $177)
Perfected Pronunciation Activities (Value $127)
Exceptional Email Support ($147)
BONUS "How to Form a Language Learning Habit" Video Lesson (Value $97)
Total Value = $1,012
Normal Price: $247
Today's Price: $97
Time for some real talk...
Let’s take a peek into what not joining Polishing the Preterit might look like…
While you may have tons of grammar books on your shelf, piecemealing and DIYing your Spanish learning on your own at the intermediate level is a dead-end road with no results.
Without the proper guidance, you will continue to lack the confidence to speak Spanish in your everyday life because you will, inevitably, spend too much time focusing on the “fluff” instead of the tools you need to truly communicate in the past tense.
The fact is - the workbooks that have given you your base knowledge at the basic level, are not the same resources that’ll make you conversationally fluent at the intermediate level.
But that’s not the path I want for you.
Between you and I - I’ve created this program to help motivated learners like YOU become intentional about learning Spanish with clear direction so that the next time you’re in a situation to use Spanish, you’re ready to speak your mind (#death to clamming up every time you try to tell a story)
The bottom line is, I know how impactful this goal has on your life. I can still remember that feeling when a native speaker asked me for directions, and we carried on the most rewarding conversation. I genuinely want you to have this feeling, too.
But to progress forward in Spanish, you don’t have to trust me…
You have to trust YOURSELF.
You have to trust that you are CAPABLE of learning a second language and that you DESERVE to communicate confidently in Spanish.
I believe you’re on the cusp of having all of that ☝️☝️
What other students are saying...
"Now I have a good foundation on the preterit tense and can finally use it in conversation."
Before, I could never remember the conjugations of preterit tense verbs when using them in simple conversations. After completing the course, I feel like I reclaimed my confidence and I now have a strong desire to continue learning Spanish.
~ Ana, Ontario, Canada
One final thing before you go…
I know this is a tough decision but, don’t you think it’s time to make a plan, take action, and feel like you’re back you’re progressing in Spanish again by focusing on something you’re going to use ALL THE TIME (mastering the preterit tense has a pretty amazing ROI)?
From one language learner to another, conversational fluency is most definitely within your reach. You have to trust the process, take the right steps and challenge yourself...I think you’ll be surprised at all that you are capable of.
