History Revision Resources for A Level and GCSE

History Revision Resources for A Level and GCSE The Best Books, Websites, Apps, and Podcasts ChaptersBooks to Help You Revise HistoryHistory Websites for Your StudiesRevising GCSE and A Level History with Apps and PodcastsConclusionSo, you’ve reached that part of your secondary school journey. You’ve sat in the classroom for months working through your history textbook, maybe not really listening, doing bits of homework, some worksheets, and believing your exams are too far away to matter.Now, with your history examination on the horizon, you’ve got to sit down and learn everything you’ve been taught all over again. That’s something a little odd about school: you spend half your time learning something and the rest learning it a second time.But the important part of this process is really the second, when you get preparing for your exam (although success in the first part makes this preparation a little easier). And, depending on your teacher, you’ll have to do much of this on your own: preparing every essay, going over your notes, and exploring textbooks and web sites for extra information.Luckily, though, with this last point, we’ve got you covered. We’ve compiled a list of the best history revision resources out there â€" from books and websites to apps and podcasts â€" because it is not easy to study whilst trawling the internet for everything in your syllabus. So, whether you are studying imperialism, the Cold War, or the Industrial Revolution â€" or early modern history or the modern world â€" you’ll find what you need in the resources below.History is a hugely interesting subject, and there are loads of resources available to help you excel in it. MarkHistory Teacher 5.00 (3) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JohnHistory Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarjotteHistory Teacher 5.00 (4) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ErinHistory Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChantelleHistory Teacher 5.00 (2) £17/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndriyHis tory Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PeterHistory Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SerenaHistory Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsBooks to Help You Revise HistoryIn this day and age, with the easiness of internet navigation, there’s something about a book that feels a little old school. Yet, honestly, the history world is nothing without those dusty hardbacks you find in your school library.So, whilst you can’t Ctrl+F a book for the precise information that you need, these resources are invaluable for your revision. They can be infinitely more engaging than many sites online and they are authoritative and often designed with your exam board curriculum in mind. This means that they are tailored precisely to your Edexcel GCSE exams or your AQA A Level.Let’s take a quick look here, and if you want more information, then check out our in-depth article on the best history revision books available.History Exam Board Cour sebooksOne of the most important texts you will use to revise for your assessment will be the coursebook designed and organised by your exam board. This holds for whatever subjects you are studying â€" whether geography, maths, English Literature, or business studies.For history, Edexcel, OCR, and AQA have made a huge effort to approve incredibly useful books â€" all with timelines, primary sources, and lively exploration of the thematic and conceptual issues.Find the AQA one published by Oxford or Cambridge University Presses. Edexcel’s are published by Pearson, whilst OCR’s are with Hodder Education. For every module, GCSE or A Level, you’ll find exactly what you need.The Access to History TextbooksHodder Education’s Access to History textbooks are some of the best-selling Key Stage 4 and A Level books for students on the market. Packed with beautiful images and concise and compelling text, they are a winner for history students in secondary education.The series is usually written by actual historians, to give you a proper perspective on the historical issues you are studying.The Famous CGP Revision SeriesWe say ‘famous’ because come exam season your school will be overrun by kids holding CGP’s revision books. These come in two parts â€" one with the content to be studied, and the other with quizzes, games, and tasks.Recommended primarily for GCSE, this series will get you applying your knowledge of world history in a properly fun and interactive way.Proper History BooksIf you are serious about achieving the highest marks in your exams â€" particularly for A Level â€" you will need to do something a little out there. That’s looking at books written by a professional academic historian â€" and designed not for the framework of your exam.Why should we bother with this? The answer to that is simple: because the more you read, the better your understanding of the history topic will become â€" and because the examiner wants to see that you have re ad more than just the textbook.Start with writers like John Guy, Mary Beard, or Paul Ginsborg â€" all of whom are known for their accessibility.One of world's most famous history libraries is the Radcliffe Camera in Oxford. Think of all those books!History Websites for Your StudiesOnce you have targeted the books you are going to engage, you can start testing yourself with websites. As you will know, these can be a little more interactive and fun than books, and with a laptop or a phone you can study from wherever you like.A little word of warning however! Recognise that not every site is super reliable. That, of course, is precisely why we have written this: to give you the guidance you may need to find the good ones.As with books, you’ll find sites helping you with every exam board and qualification â€" whether it is the iGCSE or the International Baccalaureate. Take a look at our longer article on the best history revision websites for more!Study Easily with BBC Bitesize Histor yBBC Bitesize is an institution for revision for students in Britain. It aims to introduce you to the main subjects (again based on the exam boards) and you’ll be assessed by means of a long quiz or assignment at the end of each section.As the BBC is a public organisation, the whole thing is free. Generally, you’d be daft not to try it.The History Learning SiteWhilst not completely tailored to the guidelines of your curricular specifications, the History Learning Site covers all of the main themes of your GCSEs and A Levels, in hugely comprehensive articles.Whether it’s for Nazi Germany and the rise of Hitler, World War I â€" or anything else in global history â€" this site will give you insights you to encourage wider reading.Tes’s History Revision ResourcesDesigned for teachers and tutors, Tes is also a great resource for students. With lesson plans, presentations, suggestions for coursework, and primary source material â€" all compiled by teachers themselves â€" this site has incomparable amounts of material that is great for history revision.Don’t be put off by the fact that this is teacher territory â€" or that some of the resources ask for payment â€" as the free materials are really excellent and are used up and down the country.Students from all over the world use apps to revise history!Revising GCSE and A Level History with Apps and PodcastsThe new revision technologies on the block move away from things as ancient as books and web pages. These are designed for a learner who likes to move around whilst studying, or who wants to revise on the bus or whilst walking to school.These are revision apps and podcasts, which are incredibly useful for studying biology, economics, or chemistry too.So, here are some highlights, but check out our longer article on these new history revision tools for more.Get Ahead with the World’s Most Popular Revision App: GojimoGojimo is taking the revision world by storm right now, as over a third of GCSE and A Lev el students use it already. (Truth be told, you probably know this one already!)Handy for literally any subject you could imagine, the app’s content is tailored towards the exam boards. Loaded with information â€" and then packed with quizzes to test your knowledge â€" the app also provides advice on de-stressing and on the ways to apply to university.All in all, a very impressive app.Mr Allsop’s History PodcastThe benefits of the podcast format are that you can study handsfree and you can revise just by listening to a recording. And whilst they might not sound much like benefits, these may well revolutionise your revision process.Mr Allsop’s History Podcast is one of the best around, covering everything from the GCSE and A Level history programme. He’s a Cambridge graduate and a history teacher himself, so he knows his stuff.Sincerely, they are a really great way to learn everything you need.Quizlet’s Multi-Purpose Revision ToolWe’ve all used flashcards in the past, and some us have used them so much that they’ve become coffee-stained, crinkled, and illegible. Luckily, technology these days has a solution for precisely this.Quizlet allows you to create your own flashcards on your phone, and it gives you access to a database of millions of different flashcards created by students across the world. Besides the thirty million students using the app every month to study, teachers are using it in the classroom too.ConclusionNow, that’s that. And, if you are going to be using everything here, you’ll be the most prepared student in school. Do it, see which one suits you best. And best of luck in your exams!

Erasmus in Spain

Erasmus in Spain The Guide to Studying in Spain ChaptersWhat Does Erasmus Mean?How Do You Sign Up to an Erasmus Programme in Spain?How Long Can You Spend on Erasmus?What Assistance is There for Erasmus Students?What Is Erasmus in Spain Like?“Nothing develops intelligence like travel.” - Emile ZolaAccording to the European Commission, Spain was the most popular destination for Erasmus students.It’s true that’s Spain is a popular country for a number of reasons.If you’re interested in studying there, just follow our guide. In this article, we'll be explaining what Erasmus is, how to sign up for it, how long you can stay, the financial assistance available, and what to expect! TadeoSpanish Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AnnickSpanish Teacher 5.00 (6) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PeterSpanish Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LowriSpanish Teacher 5.00 (8) £90/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MartaSpanish Teacher 5.00 (6) £22/h1st lesson free!D iscover all our tutors SharonSpanish Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TanyaSpanish Teacher 5.00 (1) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Jose manuelSpanish Teacher £14/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhat Does Erasmus Mean?Erasmus is an exchange programme between the 27 member states of the European Union and Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, Croatia, and Turkey.Would you like to be an Erasmus student in Spain? (Source: StockSnap)Spain is the most popular destination, followed by France, Germany, and the UK.The goal of the programme is to promote international mobility. Thus, higher education becomes a European endeavour and not just a national endeavour. For students, a period of residence abroad can help them find work, develop professional skills, and learn a new language.Nowadays, international students aren’t the only people who can enjoy the mobility offered from the Erasmus programme. Recently, the Erasmus program me has started offering Erasmus+.Teachers, workers, university staff, and those changing career can all apply. Each teaching establishment in the programme can welcome students and teachers. This means that there aren’t just universities but also schools, conservatories, and secondary schools.How Do You Sign Up to an Erasmus Programme in Spain?First of all, you should head to the international office at your university to find out more about applying. Usually, the deadlines are around March.  Some establishments hold an Erasmus meeting towards the start of the academic for those wanting to learn more about studying abroad.You’ll need a few documents in order to go on Erasmus:A cover letter in English and sometimes in SpanishAn application for an Erasmus scholarshipA letter of recommendation from teachersA transcript of your resultsNormally, you’ll need to make three choices in order of preference.The programme can be quite selective depending on what and where you want to stud y. There’s a quota for how many students can be welcomes by the university. Similarly, your university may have a limit to the number of Erasmus students they can send.If you want to study in Spain, the most popular country for Erasmus students, you’re going to have to work hard.You just won’t enjoy the benefits that an Erasmus student would get.  Of course, you’ll often need to pass your current year at university in order to attend.How Long Does it Take to Apply?Applying for Erasmus can take some time.  It’s better to start preparing as soon as you can. This will also give you the time to improve your Spanish. As we said, the deadlines for applications are often in March.Do You Need to Speak Spanish to Study in Spain?Those who speak Spanish well are more likely to get in than those who don’t so don’t skip any classes.If you want to live in Spain, you'll need to learn Spanish. (Source: birgl)It also will help if you’re studying Spanish or foreign languages at univer sity. Competition is stiff so make sure your grades are good.Even though you can go on Erasmus in Spain without speaking Spanish, a knowledge of the language will help you stand out.In some rare cases, you can still go. Some students go on Erasmus without speaking Spanish. Certain subjects don’t require advanced knowledge of the language, after all.How to Write a Cover Letter for ErasmusYour cover letter for Erasmus isn’t much different from any other cover letter. You’ll need to put together a few arguments and reasons why you’re a good candidate and it shouldn’t really go over a page.You’ll need an introduction explaining who you are, what you’ve studied, why you should be chosen, and a conclusion.You should stress your willingness to improve your Spanish, immerse yourself in a new environment, and learn new skills. TadeoSpanish Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AnnickSpanish Teacher 5.00 (6) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutor s PeterSpanish Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LowriSpanish Teacher 5.00 (8) £90/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MartaSpanish Teacher 5.00 (6) £22/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SharonSpanish Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TanyaSpanish Teacher 5.00 (1) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Jose manuelSpanish Teacher £14/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsHow Long Can You Spend on Erasmus?An Erasmus scholarship allows you to spend between 3 and 12 months studying abroad.You can spend a semester abroad but you’ll learn a lot more staying there for the whole academic year. Keep in mind that an academic year is only really 9 months if you don’t stay over the summer.If you head off for a semester, you’ll only spend 4 months there. This is quite a short amount of time to try and immerse yourself in the local culture, even if you try really hard.What Assistance is There for Erasmus Students?T he Erasmus programme allows British and European students to head to European universities for less.You can apply for an Erasmus grant which is only for those on the programme. You should ask for your grant through your university. The amount depends on the countries involved.There are also other types of financing available that you can ask for more information from your university.There are plenty of different types available for all types of different students so make sure you find out if any apply to you.You can apply for scholarships and financial aid. (Source: Pexels)What Is Erasmus in Spain Like?Classes in Spain aren’t like they are in the UK. You won’t necessarily be a giant lecture hall messing about on your computer while your tutor reads from a PowerPoint.Classes in Spain are less formal than those in the UK. The classroom will rarely be in complete silence and you’ll be able to call your teachers by their first name. Students are happy to talk and aren’t afraid o f being wrong. There’s a lot of debate and discussion.  There are a lot of spoken exams rather than long dissertations.There’s a lot more flexibility in terms of deadlines and word limits, too. “One of the teachers was surprised at how many students apologised for submitting work late. They told them that they wouldn’t lose marks for work submitted days or even weeks late” explains one Erasmus student at the University of Valencia.It’s not uncommon for students to head out late and drag themselves into class at half past eight in the morning. It’s also when a siesta can be useful.If you’re heading to Spain to study, you’ll learn a new way to talk to people, express your opinions, and actively participate in the learning process. Spanish culture is rich and diverse. Prepare to be surprised.Football is an important part of life in Spain. (Source: damonify)If you start to feel homesick, don’t forget that all the other Erasmus students are in the same boat. Just like any other exchange student, each international student has left their home country, joined a different education system, and is studying their discipline in another language.If you feel like you're still struggling with the language, don't forget that you can enrol of language courses both within and outside of the university you're attending.Additionally, there are plenty of other ways to study and improve your language skills in Spain. You can study abroad as part of an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in either the arts, humanities, or sciences, attend an international university with lessons in English and improve your Spanish outside of class, etc.So are you ready to go on Erasmus in Spain?If you want to improve your Spanish before you go, you can always get help from one of the private tutors on Superprof. The platform helps students to find private tutors in a huge range of subjects including Spanish.There are three main types of tutorials available: face-to-face tutoria ls, online tutorials, and group tutorials.While face-to-face tutorials tend to be the most costly per hour, they're also the most cost-effective. This is because your tutor has planned a bespoke class for you and you're the only student in the tutorial.Online tutorials are conducted over webcam using a programme such as Skype. These tend to be cheaper than the face-to-face tutorials as the tutor doesn't have to worry about travelling to their student or providing them with certain physical resources.Group tutorials are more like your traditional classes at school but usually with fewer students in the class. Since the cost of the tutorial is shared between all the attendees, you can expect to pay less per hour. However, you'll also get less individual attention from your tutor.Have a look at the profiles of the different tutors on the platform and remember that many of them will offer free tutoring for the first hour so you can see if you get along and if their teaching approaches a re right for you!

Essential Study Skills Your Teen Needs

Essential Study Skills Your Teen Needs With college on the horizon, theres a lot for your teen to think about: getting good grades, maintaining a strong GPA, creating a solid college resume and more. Its important that your teen develop those study skills sooner than laterboth for success in high school and in college. Here are seven study skills that are critical in high school and will prepare your teen for the rigors of college: Learning preference self-awareness As teens progress through high school, class work gets increasingly difficult, and things step up even more in college. Ideally, teens need to know how they learn most effectively and when they focus best. Knowing their learning styles and preferences will also help them achieve optimal learning. Critical thinking In high school and college, teachers expect that students are able to think methodically and critically and are capable of analyzing and evaluating what they read and hear. Active listening and reading Active reading means being engaged with the text, not just by reading but by doing self-checks for understanding and jotting down notes for reference later. Active listening requires tuning out outside factors (and any internal mind chatter) as well as paraphrasing and asking questions to clarify understanding. Prioritization Prioritization helps teens make the most of their time and get homework done more efficiently. Teens should divide homework into categories, such as due tomorrow, due later this week, and due next week or this month. Then, they should rank homework from highest to lowest priority and hardest to easiestevery night. Learn more about prioritization. Test-taking aptitude There are many ways teens can improve their performance on tests. A study schedule, some mental preparation, a few stress management techniques and plenty of practice deciphering question types can make a big difference in test scores and test-taking confidence. Organization and time management Time management is vital for keeping organized with homework, classes, extracurricular activities and more. Teens should put a planner to use in which they can record their goals, detailed schedule and daily to-dos. Learn more about the components of a foolproof time management system. Note-taking Teens should be comfortable taking notes in an organized way. Good note-taking involves writing down sufficient information to understand main points, summarizing key ideas and noting important examples. High school is a time when teachers expect students to take responsibility for their learning. That means less hand-holding at a time when the workload and subject-matter difficulty are increasing. Bottom line: your teen needs to develop good study skills to achieve his best in high school and beyond. The sooner he does, the better equipped he will beand the more prepared he will feelto do well in college.

Teaching Kids Leadership

Teaching Kids Leadership Most parents recognize the importance of time management, strong communication, good listening and other study skills, but what about leadership? Your child doesnt have to aspire to be the next president of the United States to benefit from the lessons of leadership, says Eileen Huntington, co-founder of Huntington Learning Center. Activities and programs that instill leadership help teach children about perseverance, conflict resolution, building ones character, goal setting and more. Huntington offers parents these tips to help their child develop leadership skills: Encourage volunteering for a cause your child cares about. What gets your child excited? Animals? The planet? Helping other kids? Encourage your child to make a difference through volunteering, or try doing service learning as a family. Getting involved is a wonderful way for kids to discover a passion, make friends, and share their experiences and excitement with others. Give your child opportunities to teach others. Whether it is a sibling or a classmate, children who teach their peers often become more engaged in the subject matter. If your student is a good reader, how about reading to younger siblings and teaching them reading basics? Your child will build a sense of pride in sharing his or her knowledge and helping others learn something new. Check out extracurricular activities. Your childs school likely has a plethora of clubs and activities with which your child could get involved. Sports are an obvious way to instill in your child the lessons of hard work, teamwork and determination, but if your child isnt interested in athletics, dont overlook things like student council, yearbook, drama club, music, math club, science club or a student ambassador program. Explore leadership programs and camps. Do you live near a college? Check to see what programs they have for rising middle and high school students. Some colleges offer enrichment, college preparatory or other programs for children and teens designed specifically to build leadership aptitudes. How about experiential or other types of leadership camps in your area? You can check with your childs teachers, guidance counseling office and school district for suggestions or referrals. Huntington encourages parents to be creative when it comes to leadership development opportunities for their child. The key is to empower your child to take on new responsibilities, strive for things he or she wants, take risks, and recognize and build his or her strengths. Doing so will help your child become a more engaged and involved student and citizen.

The Two Playgrounds of (1960) Santa Monica

The Two Playgrounds of (1960) Santa Monica It was always dark under there, old and strange, somehow feeling in itself like a living thing. The pilings are like an ancient forest breathing and moaning. Even a good distance from the shore the wet spray fills the air. The scariest parts of being under there are the people, the so called bums, winos, and hobos that reside under there. In some places   we saw areas that were totally furnished with carpets, a bed, pictures hanging on a piling, Home sweet home?   Some of these guys we knew, many were unfriendly, and especially to us kids and we had to be careful to keep our distance from most of them.However in the day time they were usually out scavenging for thrown out treasure’s or pan handling for wine money, so then we would have an uninterrupted path to the catwalk, which leads to the secret opening. I always hated the catwalk even more than the ride we have to enter, once we get in, because on the other side the hatch opens into one of those twirling rides, you know, round and round and round, ad-nauseam. Anyway, as we walk along the narrow shaky boards the catwalk rises higher and higher above the sea. Roaring waves below crash into broken pilings with ferocity. The catwalk was so old and rickety. Every time we did this I felt like I would fall right through one of those broken down boards that were holding us up. As we shuffled along, way up high and far from the shore in a place not many ever see, I wondered, again; “Is this worth it?” Finally, there it is the secret doorway to the top side of the huge pier. We crawl through the little hatch above us to the back end of that amusement park ride. As we crawled through we jump behind a group of tourist who had just given their tickets to the attendant out front. Following this crowd we enter a large round room with all the others. The room begins to spin around slowly. Then faster and faster, like some kind of endurance test for astronauts. As we stick to the wall the floor lowers until we are all up in the air. Not my favorite park ride, but it is the one we had to go through in order to get into the amusement park. Today is no different than any other day walking out of that spinning room,   I head to a trash can because I’m about to get sick. The reward for all this; we are in the middle of Pacific Ocean Park!   The bright sunlight and laughter, fun rides, the smell of hot dogs and caramel corn , the exact opposite of where we just came from, the dark underbelly of the gigantic pier, a very different kind of amusement park below. But for us local kids, both were free! And of course our usual playground was the one below. But not on this day . Man did we have fun!

Why your teaching vacancies matter

Why your teaching vacancies matter As you begin your search for your newest teachers this school year, we encourage you to consider each position individually and ask yourself, “which teacher will make a difference in this position?” Hiring new teachers is no small feat. Each teacher will impact the lives of an entire classroom of learners for a whole year. This means that taking the time to find the perfect teacher is absolutely crucial. But how do you draw the best talent to your teaching positions? Read below for some tips on how to make your vacancies matter. Know that the teacher is interviewing you as well When it comes to interviews, it’s often a two-way street. Teachers interested in international teaching positions are willing to leave their country of origin and familiarity behind for an exciting new teaching adventure. But only if the new position is right for them. This means you have to market the school well in your job description and in the interview. But how do you do this? Teachers want to know that they’re going to work at a school that cares about them and their professional development. Many teachers subscribe to the belief that part of what makes a great teacher is the never-ending desire to learn. When you’re producing your job descriptions, take the time to speak to the professional development opportunities that your school provides, the resources available to new and continuing teachers, and the networking/collaboration opportunities at your school. Use a teacher recruitment service that cares At Teach Away, we live and breathe international education. We’ve helped institutions hire literally thousands of teachers over the last few years. But not just any teachers, we’ve helped schools to find the best teachers. After all, the best teachers produce the brightest students. During recruitment, look to partner with a teacher recruitment agency that understands what makes a great teacher. If you would like to read more about one of our recruitment partnerships, take a look at one of our testimonials.

?? Rules For Spanish Verbs You Need To Learn Today

?? Rules For Spanish Verbs You Need To Learn Today Rules For Spanish Verbs You Need To Learn Today Written by Jesse ReyesAsk any native English speaker new to the Spanish language what the most difficult part of learning Spanish is, and you’re likely to hear something about Spanish verbs. While in comparison to most foreign languages, Spanish is closely related to the English language (this is largely due to their shared roots in Latin), there are still many aspects of Spanish that may be difficult to grasp for new learners; and verbs are one of the most prominent examples. So what exactly makes Spanish verbs so difficult? It all boils down to how they are used. There are some grammar rules Spanish verbs follow, that we’re simply not used to as native English speakers. In this post we’ll look at 3 unique features of Spanish verbs and give you some practical tips on how to handle them.ConjugationThe biggest difference between English verbs and Spanish verbs is conjugation. Spanish verbs change form based on the person or number of the person or thing performing the action. Th is change is called conjugation. This means that a simple verb such as “to eat” (comer), will take on six different forms in the present tense:I eat: comoYou eat: comesHe/She eats: comeWe eat: comemosYou all eat (Spain only): coméisThey eat: comenSo you can see from the root form of the verb “comer”, we form these six different conjugations based on the person who is eating. Keep in mind that this set of conjugations is only for speaking in the present tense. There will be separate forms for past and future tense verbs. Technically speaking we also conjugate verbs in English, it just doesn’t result in the variety of words that we see in Spanish.Tips for learning verb conjugationsThankfully in Spanish, verb conjugations typically follow a predictable pattern based on the root of the verb (usually called a stem). The ending of the stem will often dictate which ending a verb receives in a given conjugation. As you learn Spanish focus more on learning the patterns behind the verb conjugations versus trying to memorise each individual word. You’ll learn much more efficiently this way!Past TenseThere are two past tenses in Spanish: the preterite and the imperfect. The difference between the two isn’t always easy for native English speakers to pick up on. In general the preterite tense is used to describe an event or action that took place and was completed at some specific time in the past. The imperfect tense will describe past actions that either weren’t completed, are continuous, or were habitual. Take for instance the English sentence: “I walked home yesterday”. In Spanish we would use the preterite tense of the verb “to walk” because when we say, “I walked home yesterday…” we are speaking about a completed action. If I were to say “I walked home every Tuesday”, then the imperfect would be used because the action was habitual.If you’re having trouble understanding the difference from these two brief examples, don’t worry. T he concept of preterite versus imperfect tense is one of the harder aspects of Spanish grammar for most students. Tips for learning the Spanish past tense The number one way to learn the Spanish past tense verbs is to practice them. There’s no getting around it, you’ll have to use these verbs again and again until you begin to internalise the differences between them. That being said, once you do learn them the difference will feel like second nature. A good Spanish tutor may also be able to tear down some of the mystery surrounding this difficult grammatical concept. If you find yourself struggling it might be a good idea to give yourself some extra help by booking a lesson. MoodsIf conjugations and present tenses weren’t enough, there are also different moods in Spanish. The grammatical mood a speaker uses will be based on his or her attitude toward what is being said. There are a total of three moods in the Spanish language: indicative, imperative, and subjunctive. Each moo d uses a different form of a verb. Overall the indicative and imperative moods are pretty straightforward. The indicative mood is the most common and is used when talking about things that are believed to be true (think facts). The imperative mood occurs anytime you give a command or tell someone to do something. It’s the subjunctive that usually gives learners trouble. The subjunctive is used anytime you talk about something that is subjective or possible, but still not certain. For most native English speakers this can be an especially difficult concept to grasp, or at least to remember. Take for example the two English sentences “You work”, and “I want you to work”. In Spanish “you work” would look like this: “Tu trabajas”. But the translation of “I want you to work”, would look like this: “Quiero que tu trabajes”. Notice that the verb in each sentence changes form. The first example is in the indicative mood (it’s a fact that you are working right now ). The second example is in the subjunctive (I want you to work but it’s not certain that you will).Tips for learning the subjunctive moodThe best way to become comfortable with the subjunctive mood is to pay attention to the way that native speakers use it. Make note of any example you find of the subjunctive mood, whether it's in a lesson with a teacher, in a phrase from a Spanish movie, or from some other Spanish resource. Final thoughtsSpanish is a beautiful and intriguing language, but it’s not always a walk in the park if you’re learning it. Use the tips we’ve shared to help you become more comfortable with some of the tougher features of the language. However, also remember that the greatest thing you can do to improve your Spanish is to engage with the language as much as possible!