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

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can combine present and imperfect tenses of 'ser' and 'estar' to describe school experiences.

      Vocabulary and transcripts for this lessons

      Key learning points

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

      Keywords

      • 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 misconception

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

      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.

      Teacher tip

      Brainstorming questions before tackling a conversation on a given theme is a step often missed out by students. If they do this regularly in class, it will also help them to anticipate possible questions in the speaking exam.

      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.
      'Pienso que __________ dibujos están bonitos'. Choose the correct missing word.

      aquel
      aquella
      Correct answer: aquellos
      aquellas

      Q2.
      Match the Spanish and English.

      Correct Answer:aprobar,to pass (a test)

      to pass (a test)

      Correct Answer:describir,to describe, describing

      to describe, describing

      Correct Answer:empezar,to begin, start

      to begin, start

      Correct Answer:entregar,to hand in

      to hand in

      Correct Answer:lograr,to achieve, achieving

      to achieve, achieving

      Correct Answer:sacar,to take, taking

      to take, taking

      Q3.
      Match the Spanish and English.

      Correct Answer:altura (f),height

      height

      Correct Answer:conocimiento (m),knowledge

      knowledge

      Correct Answer:fila (f),queue

      queue

      Correct Answer:fecha (f),date

      date

      Correct Answer:nota (f),note, grade, mark

      note, grade, mark

      Correct Answer:presión (f),pressure

      pressure

      Q4.
      Order the words to say: 'I have forgotten some words from the lyrics'.

      1 - he
      2 - olvidado
      3 - algunas
      4 - palabras
      5 - de
      6 - la
      7 - letra

      Q5.
      Write in English: 'la asignatura es pesada'.

      Correct Answer: the subject is boring, the school subject is boring

      Q6.
      Write in Spanish: 'a group of cheerful pupils'.

      Correct Answer: un grupo de alumnos alegres, un grupo de alumnas alegres

      4 Questions

      Q1.
      Which statements are correct?

      Give short answers in the speaking exam conversation.
      Correct answer: Give as much relevant information as possible in the speaking exam conversation.
      Correct answer: A well-developed or extended answer has at least three verb clauses.
      A well-developed or extended answer has at least three tenses.
      Answers should always use the first person ('I').

      Q2.
      Match the Spanish and English.

      Correct Answer:estáis,you all are (state, location)

      you all are (state, location)

      Correct Answer:sois,you all are (trait)

      you all are (trait)

      Correct Answer:erais,you all were (trait)

      you all were (trait)

      Correct Answer:estabais,you all are (state, location)

      you all are (state, location)

      Correct Answer:eras,you were (trait)

      you were (trait)

      Correct Answer:estabas,you were (state, location)

      you were (state, location)

      Q3.
      Order the words to say: 'they are nervous but they were not tired'.

      1 - están
      2 - nerviosas
      3 - pero
      4 - no
      5 - estaban
      6 - cansadas

      Q4.
      Write in Spanish: 'I was quite sad'.

      Correct Answer: estaba bastante triste, yo estaba bastante triste

      To help you plan your 11 Spanish lesson on: Experiencias del colegio: 'ser' and 'estar', present and imperfect (Edexcel), download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...