Archive for the ‘Grammar Goodness’ Category

Past tense verb practice: It’s time to get out those workplace-verb flash cards again. You and a partner can test each other to improve your past tense verb conjugation. Hold up an ar, er, or ir verb. Then choose a present tense form which your partner must match in the past tense. Take turns giving each other verb forms.

For example, let’s say you choose the verb vender (to sell). You say, “vende” - the third person singular form of the verb. Your partner should respond with the past tense equivalent “vendió.” Next, it’s your partner’s turn. Your partner says “terminan,” the third person plural form of the verb terminar. You respond with “terminaron.”

Work together for about 10 minutes. See how many verbs you can get through. Which team of partners in the class covered the most verbs? (See Work into Spanish for a great list of the most commonly used work-related verbs.)

Practicing adjectives: Hold up an object in front of the class. Let’s say, a water bottle. You say,“ una botella.” Students call out adjectives to describe it. For example:

Una botella llena
 una botella llena de agua
 una botella llena de agua fría
Una botella plástica
Una botella clara
Una botella pequeña

or – a coffee cup

Una taza
Una taza blanca, grande, bonita, vieja etc…

To get along easier with Spanish commands, use “Favor de + infinitive verb form” as in “Favor de llenar esta forma /Please fill out this form.” It even works with negative commands as in “Favor de no llenar esta parte/Please don’t fill out this part.” Suggested by Joyce Lewis, Randolph Community College. Good one, Joyce!

Use this catchy phrase to help remember the use of ser vs. estar:

“If it’s how you feel or where you are, you always use the verb estar.”

Name chase. Practice using ser and estar. Collaborate with a partner to describe a person at work.  Have your classmates guess who it is.

Concentration. Compile a list of common ar, er, and ir verbs. (Work into Spanish has a great list of common workplace verbs). Create a deck of cards -index cards will work- for groups of 3-4 employees with Spanish verbs and their English translation.  Employees match the meanings in a traditional game of “Concentration.”