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Year 11 - Spanish

Experiencias del colegio: 'ser' and 'estar', present and imperfect (AQA)

Studying and my future: Repaso - el colegio y el trabajo

Unit Summary

This revision unit covers the present tense in-depth. Pupils revisit 'ser' and 'estar', the present continuous, idiomatic phrases, and use of 'usted'. Pupils also strengthen the preterite and imperfect.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to combine present and imperfect tenses of 'ser' and 'estar' to describe school experiences.

Key Notes

  • In Spanish there are two verbs for 'to be'. Use 'estar' for location, state or mood and 'ser' for permanent traits.
  • The imperfect tense is used to express how things were or used to be in the past, or to say what was happening.
  • 'Estar' is an irregular verb in many tenses, but it follows regular patterns in the imperfect tense.
  • In the imperfect tense, 'estar' is conjugated regularly using -ar verb endings.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • simple present: describes habitual events in the present, e.g. 'I do'
  • imperfect: tense used to describe how things were or used to be in the past
  • ser: verb 'to be, being' used to describe permanent traits
  • estar: verb 'to be, being' used to describe temporary state/mood and location

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • It is acceptable to only give short answers in the conversation element of the speaking exam.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain what you can now say or understand in this lesson.

In Spanish there are two verbs for 'to be'. Use 'estar' for location, state or mood and 'ser' for permanent traits. The imperfect tense is used to express how things were or used to be in the past, or to say what was happening.

2. Define this key language word and use it in context. 'simple present'

describes habitual events in the present, e.g. 'I do'. Say or write it in a short sentence so you use the word actively.

3. Correct this common language-learning mistake.

Mistake: It is acceptable to only give short answers in the conversation element of the speaking exam. Correction: It is important to give answers in the conversation that include at least three verb clauses, and regularly practise developing answers with different verb tenses, subjects, opinions and reasons.

More Lessons In This Unit

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