WHEN EXPLAINING “SER” AND “ESTAR” YOUR TEACHER USES THE WORDS “PERMANENT” AND “TEMPORARY”, LOOK FOR A BETTER SPANISH TEACHER

 

Once you have seen the best choice if you want to learn Spanish is to get a native teacher, the next step is to find a GOOD Spanish teacher and certificates, diplomas, etc won´t help you to make the right choice.

 

Common mistakes by Spanish teachers often involve focusing too much on textbooks, neglecting cultural context, or over-emphasizing grammar rules, leading to students who struggle with natural speech, pronunciation (like rolled 'r's, 'j', 'll'), word usage (like ser/estar, muy/mucho, prepositions), and understanding accents, which are crucial for meaning, rather than just translation. Teachers sometimes miss teaching key phrases, natural expressions, and the nuances of gender/number agreement, making learning less practical. 

But probably one of the biggest mistakes is the way most of the Spanish teachers teach the verbs SER (To be) and ESTAR (To be). 

 

The distinction between “ser” and “estar” in Spanish can indeed be confusing so, the first mistake is teaching both verbs at the same time when, of course, they are TWO verbs.  

 


The second mistake is to teach using the oversimplified rule of "ser for permanent" and "estar for temporary". That actuaslly doesn't capture the full nuance of these verbs:

1. Context Matters: The idea of permanence and temporariness can be subjective. For example, "estar muerto" (to be dead) is a state that one cannot change, making it seem permanent. However, the verb "estar" can still apply in contexts where the state is considered a condition rather than an inherent quality.

2. Qualities vs. Conditions: "Ser" is often used for inherent qualities or characteristics (e.g., "Ella es alta" - She is tall), while "estar" is used for states or conditions that are subject to change (e.g., "Ella está cansada" - She is tired). However, certain conditions can feel permanent in specific contexts.

So, the best way to learn Ser and Estar is as follow:

A. ESTAR is WHERE you are and HOW you feel

B. SER is WHO you are

 

If you want more info about it or to start learning Spanish face-to-face or online at affordable rates, you can contact me here or through my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/share/1ZJFtq9gKG/

 

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