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      Compass points in Spain: 'voy' and 'va'

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can use compass points and the verb 'ir' to say where I and others go.

      Vocabulary and transcripts for this lessons

      Key learning points

      1. The sound-spelling correspondences [b] and [v] sound the same.
      2. The compass points, norte, sur, este and oeste can be used to say where places are in Spain.
      3. The verb 'ir' means to go, going and is an irregular verb. To say 'I go' use 'voy'. To say 'she, he, it goes' use 'va'.
      4. Spanish word 'a' means to. When used before a feminine noun, use 'a la'. When used before a masculine noun, use 'al'.

      Keywords

      • Ir - irregular verb 'to go, going'

      • Voy - I go, part of the verb 'ir' meaning 'to go, going'

      • Va - she, he, it goes, part of the verb 'ir' meaning 'to go, going'

      Common misconception

      The preposition 'a' stays the same regardless of the noun it precedes.

      In English the preposition 'to' stays the same. In Spanish, the word 'a' changes to 'al' before masculine nouns and to 'a la' before feminine nouns.

      Teacher tip

      As an additional activity, pupils could create their own maps adding places using familiar Spanish vocabulary (casa, playa, montaña, lago, ciudad etc ...) They can then work with a partner to ask ¿Dónde está ...? and respond as per the B1 activity in the slidedeck.

      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.
      'Ella tiene el pelo moreno y las __________ grandes.' Which word completes this sentence?

      nariz
      ojos
      Correct answer: orejas
      cara
      dientes

      Q2.
      'La silla está __________ de la mesa.' Which words could complete this sentence?

      fuera
      dentro
      Correct answer: debajo
      arriba
      Correct answer: detrás

      Q3.
      Match the Spanish to the English.

      Correct Answer:perfecto,perfect
      Correct Answer:corto,short
      Correct Answer:largo,long
      Correct Answer:pequeño,small
      Correct Answer:excelente,excellent
      Correct Answer:feliz,happy

      Q4.
      Order the words to say 'the lake is to the north of the island'.

      1 - el
      2 - lago
      3 - está
      4 - al
      5 - norte
      6 - de
      7 - la isla

      Q5.
      Order the words to say 'I am going to travel to the east of Spain'.

      1 - voy
      2 - a
      3 - viajar
      4 - al
      5 - este
      6 - de
      7 - españa

      Q6.
      'The horse is in the countryside.' Translate this sentence into Spanish.

      Correct Answer: El caballo está en el campo

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      'En el verano, tú __________ a la playa.' Which word completes this sentence?

      voy
      va
      Correct answer: vas
      vamos
      ir

      Q2.
      Which word means 'countryside'?

      abuela
      médico
      ciudad
      lago
      Correct answer: campo

      Q3.
      Match the Spanish to the English.

      Correct Answer:escribir,to write, writing
      Correct Answer:escuchar,to listen, listening
      Correct Answer:estar,to be, being (temporary states)
      Correct Answer:responder,to reply, replying
      Correct Answer:ser,to be, being (permanent traits)
      Correct Answer:tener,to have, having

      Q4.
      Order the words to say 'she plays the guitar in the village'.

      1 - ella
      2 - toca
      3 - la
      4 - guitarra
      5 - en
      6 - el
      7 - pueblo

      Q5.
      Order the words to say 'he has a round face and blonde hair'.

      1 - él
      2 - tiene
      3 - la cara
      4 - redonda
      5 - y
      6 - el pelo
      7 - rubio

      Q6.
      'The black cow is inside.' Translate this sentence into Spanish.

      Correct Answer: La vaca negra está dentro

      To help you plan your 6 Spanish lesson on: Compass points in Spain: 'voy' and 'va', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...