Christmas preparations: simple present and continuous with -ar verbs
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can use the present continuous to talk about how I and others are preparing for Christmas.
Vocabulary and transcripts for this lessons
Key learning points
- The sound symbol correspondence [ce] is pronounced as in the word 'centro' and [ci] as in the word 'decir'.
- The simple present of -ar verbs is used to talk about habits and routines, e.g. 'trabajo', 'trabajas', 'trabaja'.
- The present continuous is used to talk about actions happening now.
- The present continuous of -ar verbs is formed with the verb 'estar' ('estoy', 'está', 'está') + -ando.
- Sometimes we use adverbs of time to indicate clearly if the action we refer to is a habit or it is happening now.
Keywords
Simple present - 1-verb form that describes habitual actions and routines, e.g. 'I read'
Present continuous - 2-verb structure that describes actions happening at this moment, e.g. 'I’m reading'
Present participle - verb form that forms the present continuous, together with the auxiliary verb 'estar'
Adverb of time - word that describes when an action takes place, e.g. 'normally', 'now'
Common misconception
In Spanish, the simple present can be used for routine as well as for ongoing events.
The simple present is used to describe routine actions, and also immediate plans for today, but the present continuous is used to describe ongoing events.
Teacher tip
The teacher might want to ask students to write their own sentences about this year's Christmas preparations using the present continuous.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the Spanish and English.
bottle
meat
food
drink
pity
laughter
Q2.Match the Spanish and English.
to look for, looking for
to buy, buying
to start, starting
to arrive, arriving
to finish, finishing
to use, using
Q3.'¿ te llamas?' - Which is the correct missing word?
Q4.Order the words to say: 'she prepares the food but you prepare the drinks'.
Q5.Write in English: 'eschucho música todos los días'.
Q6.Write in Spanish: 'normally I dance'.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which words include the [ci] sound?
Q2.Which adverbs of time indicate the present continuous?
Q3.Which sentence is in the simple present?
Q4.Order the words to say: 'Normally I work but today I am organising a party'.
Q5.Write in Spanish: 'I am washing the dishes'.
Q6.Write in Spanish: 'she is carrying the cups'.
To help you plan your 8 Spanish lesson on: Christmas preparations: simple present and continuous with -ar verbs, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 8 Spanish lesson on: Christmas preparations: simple present and continuous with -ar verbs, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 Spanish lessons from the Places: -ar, -er, -ir verbs 1st and 3rd person unit, dive into the full secondary Spanish curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.