Spanish Strategies

Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition (CARLA)

I'm looking for a strategy that someone has used successfully to learn a specific grammar form. Moods Subjunctive Imperfect subjunctive Conditional Conditional perfect and pluperfect subjunctive Commands Pronouns Relative pronouns Simultaneous use of direct and indirect object pronouns Direct and indirect object pronouns in affirmative and negative tú commands Reflexive pronouns in present perfect constructions Tenses / Aspect Preterite Imperfect Preterite vs. imperfect Ser and estar Por vs. para Gender / Agreement Gender of nouns Gender and number agreement Other Demonstrative adjectives Lo + adjective Hacer and desde in time expressions Negative words Superlatives I'm looking for strategies that match my learning style and that can apply to various grammar forms. Auditory Rhymes Songs and chants Talking to native speakers Visual Color coding Decision maps Drawings / Mental images Note cards Playing with verbs Quasi-math formulas Quick grammar references Kinesthetic Physical behaviors Writing it over Memory aids Acronyms Initials as a vehicle for mnemonics Phrases as memory aids Phrases as vehicles for syntax Cognitive English sentences with Spanish syntax English sentences with Spanish words inserted Focusing on meaning Learning material as a chunk Learning grammar by explaining it Using archetypical sentences Using L1 to keep forms and functions straight Context-based Making associations Observing use in context Other Avoiding avoidance Combining perceptual modes What's the reason for using one strategy or another? Spanish grammar sites Glossary

Ser and estar

As a learner and user of Spanish, you need to deal with two main verbs used to express the English verb 'to be:' ser and estar. As you have probably discovered, deciding whether to use one form or the other can be a challenge.

The following strategies have proven useful for many beginning learners.

Additionally, as you interact with competent speakers of the language, you will most likely fine-tune your understanding of the appropriate context for each verb.

When to use ser and estar

Acronyms for the basic differences

Observing contextual use

When to use ser

Association by the first sound of the word

When to use estar

A rhyme

A phrase with an acronym in it

I'm looking for a strategy that someone has used successfully to learn a specific grammar form.

I'm looking for strategies that match my learning style and that can apply to various grammar forms.

Ser and estar

When to use ser and estar

When to use ser

When to use estar