Giving classroom instructions in Spanish doesn’t have to be so challenging. Here are 3 easy steps to use the Spanish subjunctive in the classroom to give clear and specific instructions to your students.
With just 3 easy steps you can use Spanish subjunctive verbs to give clear instructions and redirective language in the classroom. For example:
Es bueno que ustedes participen en la clase.
It’s good that y’all participate in the class.
Did you notice anything interesting about the conjugation of participar in the subjunctive? It looks pretty similar to the present tense of the indicative mood, but it’s almost like the verb travelled to a planet where everything is in reverse. Let’s unpack to learn more.
Step 1: Let’s learn the Spanish subjunctive for Tú and Ustedes forms to give instructions in the classroom
Use the Tú form when giving direct, specific redirective language or instructions to one student. Use the Ustedes form when addressing the whole class.
To form the present tense of the subjunctive mood, let’s take the following simple steps to get to the root of the verb and then add the appropriate endings for Tú and Ustedes:
→ go to ‘yo’
→ drop the o
→ add opposite ending (ie: for AR verbs e, and for IR/ER verbs a).
→ for tú conjugation add an s / for ustedes an n.
Guardar (to keep, to store) → (tú) guardes silencio
Hacer (to do) → (ustedes) hagan la tarea todos los días
You might recognize these subjunctive forms if you’ve seen commands before. They follow the same conjugation rules. As always in Spanish, there are few exceptions to the rules. In this blog, we won’t go into all of the irregularities, but here are a few to get you started:
→ Ser (irregular in the present subjunctive, to be) = (tú) seas / (ustedes) sean
→ Ir (irregular in the present subjunctive, to go) = (tú) vayas / (ustedes) vayan
→ Llegar (a GAR verb, g = gu, to arrive) = llegues / lleguen
→ Sacar (a CAR verb, c = qu, to take out) = saques / saquen
→ Comenzar (a ZAR verb, z = ce, to start) = comiences / comiencen
Step #2: use a starter phrase to introduce the instruction. Many Spanish impersonal expressions are great options to manage the classroom.
Here are few expressions that typically trigger the subjunctive to get you started. If you want to learn more expressions check out this blog on 3 tips to learning the subjunctive.
→ es bueno que (it’s good to)
→ es importante que (it’s important to)
→ es obligatorio que (it’s mandatory to)
→ es necesario que (it’s necessary to)
You can also use the expression necesito que to say I need you to do something. This is a great expression to learn when using redirective language with individual students in the class.
Step #3: Combine the impersonal expression or necesito que with a classroom management instruction in the present subjunctive.
Follow the simple formula: an expression (ie: es bueno, necesito) + que + tú/ustedes + verb in present subjunctive
Es bueno que hagan la tarea, pero es necesario que la entreguen a tiempo.
It’s good that y’all do the homework, but it’s necessary that y’all submit it on time.
Necesito que seas amable con los demás estudiantes.
I need you to be nice to the rest of the students.
Want to see these steps in action to manage your classroom in Spanish? Watch the video to learn more!
Make sure to download the free PDF exercise sheet to put into practice giving instructions and offering redirective language with students using simple expressions that work together with the present subjunctive.
If this blog piqued your interest, make sure to join one of CGI’s Spanish Workshops this year. In the coming weeks in 2025, CGI is hosting the Manejo de Aula or Classroom Management Workshop series (register here), but every year, CGI hosts Spanish Language and Teacher Workshops to deep dive into topics like this one, and even the subjunctive! Don’t miss the registration dates, so make sure to join the mailing list if you haven’t yet!
Can you give us some common examples of instructions or redirection you might use with your students in the comments below? Here are a few prompts to get you started: impersonal expression + respetar a los demás / cuidar los materiales / ser responsables.
Looking forward to reviewing your answers below and our team of knowledgeable teachers will correct them for you!
