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Get Set for Lower Intermediate 1 (Aula 2 Plus)
Welcome to the Lower Intermediate levels!
In the Elementary levels we built a solid foundation, focusing on the present tense. Then in Elementary 4, we saw the first of the past tenses – the pretérito perfecto. Now in the Lower Intermediate levels, we go on to learn two more past tenses – the pretérito indefinido (introduced in Lower Intermediate 1) and the pretérito imperfecto (introduced in Lower Intermediate 5).
We also have the opportunity to put into practice everything we learnt in the Elementary levels and really get our fluency happening.
In Lower Intermediate 1 (Aula 2 Plus) you'll be introduced to the pretérito indefinido – one of the more difficult past tenses – so if you can review what you've been seeing in class so far this will help as you take this next important step.
Where am I up to?
Lower Intermediate 1 (Aula 2 plus) is the first of 5 Lower Intermediate levels.
Together, the Lower Intermediate levels form the A2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). Click here for more information about the CEFR.
And click here for an overview and detailed explanation of all our levels.
Before starting Lower Intermediate 1 (Aula 2 Plus), study up on:
The present tense
Now is the time to feel like the present tense is your friend – not just because you have an good knowledge of regular verb endings but because you’re starting to master the irregular ones, including the stem-changing verbs.
Familiarise yourself with the nifty ways we can use the present to express other tenses and modes. The ones we've seen so far are:
1) to express intentions / plans for the future (IR a + infinitive)
2) to express obligation (TENER que + infinitive)
In Lower Intermediate 2, we learn another: the present continuous: ESTAR + present participle (–ing in English).
|
The Spanish Verb System – an El Patio resource |
The first of the past tenses: the pretérito perfecto
In terms of its structure, this is one of the more simple tenses.
Learn its two components by heart – the forms of the auxiliary verb HABER and the past participles. The past participles of most verbs follow a regular pattern – but there are some irregular ones to watch out for too!
|
StudySpanish.com – the pretérito perfecto |
Reflexive verbs
Reflexive verbs are everywhere – we first learnt them in the present tense in Elementary 3 and now we see they magically reappear in other tenses, like the pretérito perfecto:
| me levanto me he levantado |
If you can get a sense of what changes and what stays the same when we move from tense to tense, this will make you extra nimble as we venture further with even more tenses.
|
StudySpanish.com – Reflexive verbs |
The verb GUSTAR and other similar verbs
In the Elementary levels, we learnt how to say what we like with the help of Manu Chau.
Other verbs that function like GUSTAR that are good to know are PARECER and QUEDAR.
|
StudySpanish.com – Verbs like GUSTAR |
Direct object pronouns, indirect object pronouns, reflexive pronouns
Learning to distinguish the direct object pronouns (me / te / lo / la / nos / os / los / las) from the indirect object pronouns (me / te / le /nos / os / les) and the reflexive pronouns (me / te / se / nos / os / se) is one of the many challenges of learning Spanish.
At this stage, start to get a sense of what these little words do, how they work and how they’re different from one another.
|
Trent University – The direct object pronoun (exercises) |
Happy studying!
We hope you enjoy your course.
If we can help with anything please get in touch.
Find a Class
| Class | Starting | Location | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mondays 5.30-7pm FACE-TO-FACE | In 4 days (29/04/2024) | Melbourne (CBD) | $433.00 or 4 payments of $108.25 |
| Wednesdays 6-7.30pm FACE-TO-FACE | In 6 days (01/05/2024) | Northcote (Westgarth) | $433.00 or 4 payments of $108.25 |
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