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New
Today vs in general: 'soy' and 'estoy', 'es' and 'está'
I can say how I and others are today and in general.
Lesson 4 of 6
New
New
- Year 5
Today vs in general: 'soy' and 'estoy', 'es' and 'está'
I can say how I and others are today and in general.
Lesson details
Vocabulary and transcripts for this lessons
Key learning points
- Practising vocabulary reinforces learning and improves communication. There are many ways to practise, including games.
- 'Ser' ('to be, being') is used for general traits; 'soy' means 'I am' and 'es' means 'she, he, it is'.
- 'Estar' ('to be, being') is used for location and temporary states; 'estoy' means 'I am' and 'está' - 'she, he, it is'.
- 'Estar' and 'ser' can be combined with adjectives to say describe how someone is feeling and in general.
- Adverbs 'normalmente', 'siempre', and 'hoy' add detail when differentiating between your feelings today and in general.
Keywords
Estoy - part of the verb ‘estar’ meaning 'I am'
Está - part of the verb ‘estar’ meaning 'she, he, it is'
Soy - part of the verb ‘ser’ meaning 'I am'
Es - part of the verb ‘ser’ meaning 'she, he, it is'
Common misconception
There is only one verb for 'to be, being' in Spanish.
There are two verbs for to be in Spanish: 'estar' for location and temporary states and 'ser' for general traits.
The final writing task could be made into a class challenge where each child is given the name of another pupil to describe today and in general. These could form part of a class display. It would be helpful to rehearse these orally first to practise the use of 'ser' and 'estar'.
Teacher tip
Equipment
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.'Tengo un gato nervioso'. Choose the correct missing word.
'Tengo un gato nervioso'. Choose the correct missing word.
de
por
también
y
Q2.Match the Spanish and English.
Match the Spanish and English.
Q3.Match the Spanish and English.
Match the Spanish and English.
Q4.Order the words to say: 'a funny teacher and a fast answer'.
Order the words to say: 'a funny teacher and a fast answer'.
Q5.Write in English: 'necesito escuchar en clase'.
Write in English: 'necesito escuchar en clase'.
Q6.Write in Spanish: 'she buys a game'.
Write in Spanish: 'she buys a game'.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the Spanish and English.
Match the Spanish and English.
Q2.Match the Spanish and English.
Match the Spanish and English.
Q3.'Normalmente _____ serio y siempre _____tranquilo'. Choose the correct missing verbs.
'Normalmente _____ serio y siempre _____tranquilo'. Choose the correct missing verbs.
estoy, estoy
estoy, soy
soy, estoy
Q4.Order the words to say: 'he is ill today but he is an active person'.
Order the words to say: 'he is ill today but he is an active person'.
Q5.Write in Spanish: 'she is always healthy'.
Write in Spanish: 'she is always healthy'.
Q6.Write in Spanish: 'today she is tired'.
Write in Spanish: 'today she is tired'.
