The Past tenses – Preterite and Imperfect

The Past tenses – Preterite and Imperfect: Spanish Workshop Series
This is a 3 part workshop

The past tense in Spanish is one of the more tricky concepts for English speakers learning Spanish. There are two past tenses (preterite and imperfect) and they are not used interchangeably. They have very specific uses that can change the meaning of what you are trying to say.

In this course, you will learn how to use both past tenses in Spanish.

In this course, You will learn how to communicate effectively using these grammar concepts.

Lesson 1 & 2–  How and when to use the Preterite Verb Tense, and Irregular verbs:

• Trigger words & Phrases that initiate the preterite
• Regular and irregular verb conjugations
• The uses of the preterite
• Stem changing verb conjugations
• Irregular verbs

Lesson 3 – How and when to use the Imperfect verb tense

• Trigger words & phrases that initiate the imperfecto
• Regular and irregular verb conjugations
• The uses of the imperfecto

Lesson 4 – Using both the Preterite and Imperfect to tell stories and about past events

• How they both complement each others
• Determining when to use which one
• Verbs that change meaning in the preterite and imperfect
• Communicating about events using both

How does this class work?

This is a 6 week hybrid class: Your first step is to watch the videos and practice exercises in each lesson, your second step is to show up to our live Zoom workshop practice session. The first two lessons open on Jan 30, and first live zoom class on Feb 6. New lessons after that will open a day after the live Zoom session. You’ll have almost 2 weeks to complete the lesson and practice activities before you show up for the next live Zoom class.

Complete these steps in each lesson:

PASO 1: Watch the video lessons, take notes, complete the practice activities
PASO 2: Show up for the Zoom practice session
PASO 3: Complete the additional homework

The class schedule is as follows:

Lesson 1 & 2 – Opens Jan. 30:  How and when to use the Preterite Verb Tense.

You have 1 week to watch the video lesson and complete the practice activities BEFORE attending the live practice session. In this lesson, you will learn:

• 5 specific uses of the preterite
• Trigger words that initiate the preterite
• Verb conjugations and the 17 irregular verbs

Zoom Class 1 – Feb. 6 @5pm PT, 6pm MT, 7pm CT, 8pm ET

We will practice content from lesson 1: Learning how and when to use the Preterite Verb Tense and lesson 2: Irregular verbs. In this live session you will have an opportunity to reinforce and use the Spanish that you’ve been learning in these lessons.

Lesson 3 – Opens Feb. 7: How and when to use the Imperfect verb tense.

You have 1 week to watch the video lesson and complete the practice activities BEFORE attending the live practice session. In this lesson, you will learn:

• 5 specific uses of the imperfect
• Trigger words that initiate its use
• Verb conjugations and the 3 irregular verbs

Zoom Class 2 – Feb. 20 @5pm PT, 6pm MT, 7pm CT, 8pm ET

We will practice content from Lesson 3: Learning how and when to use the Imperfect Verb Tense. In this live session you will have an opportunity to reinforce and use the Spanish that you’ve been learning in these lessons.

Lesson 4 – Opens Feb. 21: Using both the Preterite and Imperfect to tell stories and about past events

You have 1 week to watch the video lesson and complete the practice activities BEFORE attending the live practice session. In this lesson, you will learn:

• Practice using both verbs together to talk about past events and tell stories
• You will be able to clearly see the juxtaposition of the uses when combined
• We will also review a handful of verbs that change meaning depending on which verb tense is used

Zoom Class 3 – Mar. 6 @5pm PT, 6pm MT, 7pm CT, 8pm ET

We will practice content from Lesson 4: Using both the Preterite and Imperfect together. In this live session you will have an opportunity to reinforce and use the Spanish that you’ve been learning in these lessons.

Evaluate your progress and get your certificate – Opens March 7

Take the Quiz, evaluate the course, and download your Certificate.

In this course, we’ll help you understand the distinction between those 2 Spanish past tenses so you can use them with confidence in your conversations.

Once you learn how and when to use them, it’s fun and your Spanish will flow more easily!

Who is this class ideal for?

The ideal student has studied Spanish before and has a working knowledge of present tense verbs and knows how to conjugate them. You are also able to communicate in the present tense and can form and express sentences.

If you have more questions about whether or not this workshop is a good fit for you, please email Leslie at Lfoster@commongroundinternational.com

Click on the lesson below to get started