Verb Conjugation Hacks

PRESENTED BY TAMARA MARIECERTIFIED LANGUAGE COACH

Is this how learning Spanish verbs feels?

It can be overwhelming and frustrating…

Trying to learn EVERY verb tense and subject for ONE verb

Recalling the correct verb form when you’re speaking

Making mistakes!

By The End of Today’s Class…

You will…

Learn the best way to master Spanish verb conjugation

Have an effective strategy to learn new verbs and improve using the ones you already know

The Agenda

1. How to Stop Conjugating Verbs in Your Head While Speaking

2. 4 Spanish Verb Conjugation Hacks

How to Stop Conjugating Verbs in Your Head

What NOT to Do…

Rote memorization of a verb chart

What NOT to Do… And that didn’t even include the subjunctive!

Why Not to Do This• Overwhelming

• Difficult to memorize

• Waste of time

• Useless if you can’t recall the correct verb when you need it

Verb Conjugation Hack #1• Learn the patterns first• All verbs have a pattern (regular verbs)• This is how native speakers learn, by identifying patterns• Practice applying the pattern to different verbs that you don’t know

Verb Conjugation Hack #2• Learn the exceptions to the rule• There are many common, irregular verbs in Spanish (ex. ser, hacer, etc.)• You’ll have to pay special attention to these verbs and learn them separately since they don’t follow the rules

Verb Conjugation Hack #2• Learn the exceptions to the rule

Example: tener• Yo tengo (tener)• Yo mantengo (mantener)• Yo obtengo (obtener)

Verb Conjugation Hack #3• Learn with phrases in context• Learning individual verbs is not very useful• Instead of focusing what grammar you need to learn, focus on how you can use it and why• Example: Grammar Mastery Course

Verb Conjugation Hack #4• Learn a few subjects at a time• Prioritize and learn the most useful first in this order:1. Yo and Tú2. El, Ella, Usted3. Nosotros, Ustedes, Ellos, Ellas

Verb Conjugation Hack #5• Use what you know• Practice new grammar you learn with writing and conversation practice• Use the verbs you know while you’re learning, never stop practicing

Verb Conjugation Hack #5• Use what you know – past tense• Example: If you’re telling a story about what happened last week, use the present tense•“So yesterday, I went to the store, and bought me some shoes”•“So yesterday, I go to the store and buy me some shoes”

Verb Conjugation Hack #5• Use what you know – future tense• Example: If you’re talking about what you will do in the near future, use the present tense• Ex: Voy a la fiesta. / Iré a la fiesta.

Review• Learn the patterns / rules

• Learn the exceptions

• Learn phrases in context

• Learn a few subjects at a time

• Use what you know

Q&A