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      Today vs in general: 'soy' and 'estoy', 'es' and 'está'

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can say how I and others are today and in general.

      Vocabulary and transcripts for this lessons

      Key learning points

      1. Practising vocabulary reinforces learning and improves communication. There are many ways to practise, including games.
      2. 'Ser' ('to be, being') is used for general traits; 'soy' means 'I am' and 'es' means 'she, he, it is'.
      3. 'Estar' ('to be, being') is used for location and temporary states; 'estoy' means 'I am' and 'está' - 'she, he, it is'.
      4. 'Estar' and 'ser' can be combined with adjectives to say describe how someone is feeling and in general.
      5. 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.

      Teacher tip

      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'.

      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.

      de
      Correct answer: muy
      por
      también
      y

      Q2.
      Match the Spanish and English.

      Correct Answer:amigo (m),friend

      friend

      Correct Answer:frase (f),sentence

      sentence

      Correct Answer:montaña (f),mountain

      mountain

      Correct Answer:mañana (f),morning

      morning

      Correct Answer:persona (f),person

      person

      Correct Answer:playa (f),beach

      beach

      Q3.
      Match the Spanish and English.

      Correct Answer:contento,pleased, happy

      pleased, happy

      Correct Answer:lento,slow

      slow

      Correct Answer:perdido,lost

      lost

      Correct Answer:preparado,ready, prepared

      ready, prepared

      Correct Answer:triste,sad

      sad

      Correct Answer:tonto,silly

      silly

      Q4.
      Order the words to say: 'a funny teacher and a fast answer'.

      1 - un
      2 - profesor
      3 - divertido
      4 - y
      5 - una
      6 - respuesta
      7 - rápida

      Q5.
      Write in English: 'necesito escuchar en clase'.

      Correct Answer: I need to listen in class.

      Q6.
      Write in Spanish: 'she buys a game'.

      Correct Answer: Compra un juego., Ella compra un juego.

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Match the Spanish and English.

      Correct Answer:aprender,to learn, learning

      to learn, learning

      Correct Answer:buscar,to search, searching

      to search, searching

      Correct Answer:caminar,to walk, walking

      to walk, walking

      Correct Answer:leer,to read, reading

      to read, reading

      Correct Answer:presentar,to present, presenting

      to present, presenting

      Correct Answer:pronunciar,to pronounce, pronouncing

      to pronounce, pronouncing

      Q2.
      Match the Spanish and English.

      Correct Answer:estar,to be, being (location, temporary states)

      to be, being (location, temporary states)

      Correct Answer:estoy,I am (location, temporary states)

      I am (location, temporary states)

      Correct Answer:está,she, he, it is (location, temporary states)

      she, he, it is (location, temporary states)

      Correct Answer:ser,to be, being (general traits)

      to be, being (general traits)

      Correct Answer:soy,I am (general traits)

      I am (general traits)

      Correct Answer:es,she, he, it is (general traits)

      she, he, it is (general traits)

      Q3.
      'Normalmente _____ serio y siempre _____tranquilo'. Choose the correct missing verbs.

      estoy, estoy
      Correct answer: soy, soy
      estoy, soy
      soy, estoy

      Q4.
      Order the words to say: 'he is ill today but he is an active person'.

      1 - está
      2 - enfermo
      3 - pero
      4 - es
      5 - activo

      Q5.
      Write in Spanish: 'she is always healthy'.

      Correct Answer: Siempre es sana., Ella siempre es sana.

      Q6.
      Write in Spanish: 'today she is tired'.

      Correct Answer: Hoy está cansada., Hoy ella está cansada., Está cansada hoy., Ella está cansada hoy.

      To help you plan your 5 Spanish lesson on: Today vs in general: 'soy' and 'estoy', 'es' and 'está', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...