Level 3: The Imperfect Tense
Grammar

Level 3: The Imperfect Tense

Learn to describe how things used to be and talk about ongoing past actions with confidence and precision. 

You'll master the pretérito imperfecto (imperfect tense) and learn when to use it versus the preterite, plus start working with direct object pronouns and future tense using ir

This course teaches you to express habitual past actions ("I used to play guitar"), ongoing descriptions ("she was dancing"), and background information that brings your Spanish storytelling to life.

Complete Level 3 and handle the nuanced past tenses that separate intermediate speakers from advanced learners.

To take this level, you should have scored at least 11 points on our Online Placement Test and/or completed Level 2.

How it works

1. Find a class that works for you and enroll. You can book more classes now or later.
2. Follow the instructions to join the video conference room on the day of your class.

Course Content

Lesson 1: Present and past tense review + stem-changing verbs

In this class, you will review the present and past tenses and learn how to conjugate the most important stem-changing verbs in the present tense.

By the end of this class, you'll confidently use irregular verb patterns that trip up most Spanish students—strengthening your foundation before tackling new advanced tenses.

Lesson 2: The Spanish imperfect tense (pretérito imperfecto)

In this class, you will learn how to conjugate and use the pretérito imperfecto tense.

Lesson 3: Advanced uses of the Spanish imperfect tense

In this class, you will learn how to choose between the preterite and imperfect tenses in situations where it is not clear which tense is more appropriate.

Lesson 4: Restaurant vocab, some adverbs, por/para, hubo/había

In this class, you will learn vocabulary related to restaurants, important adverbs, and the proper use of por and para as well as hubo and había. You will also practice your speaking skills using the present, preterite, and imperfect tenses.

Lesson 5: Adverbs ending in -mente and ordinal numbers

In this class, you will learn about adverbs ending in -mente and ordinal numbers, and practice your speaking skills using the present, preterite, and imperfect tenses.

Lesson 6: Future tense with ir and reflexive verbs

In this class, you will learn how to form the future tense with ir and how to use reflexive verbs in four tenses: present, pretérito perfecto, pretérito imperfecto, and future. You will also practice your speaking skills using these tenses.

Lesson 7: Travel vocab, expressions with tener, and traer & llevar

In this class, you will learn vocabulary related to travel, common expressions with the verb tener, and how to conjugate and use the verbs traer and llevar. You will also practice your speaking skills using the present, preterite, imperfect, and future tenses.

Lesson 8: Direct object pronouns

In this class, you will learn how to identify direct objects in a sentence and use direct object pronouns. You will also practice your speaking skills using the present, preterite, imperfect, and future tenses.

Lesson 9: Comprehensive review of the present, preterite, imperfect, and future tenses

In this class, we will review the present, preterite, imperfect, and future tenses. You will practice your speaking skills using these tenses and conclude by writing a short essay in the imperfect tense.

Lesson 10: Comprehensive review of the present, preterite, imperfect, and future tenses

In this class, we will review the present, preterite, imperfect, and future tenses. You will practice your speaking skills using these tenses and engage with a medium-length text through reading and discussion.

Reviews from our students

Susie Gareau
star 4.0
2024-12-04
I have tried classes in Level 3 with a variety of instructors. All were good instructors and two were excellent instructors. The course is well organized and and I learned a lot. I look forward to starting Level 4 and joining a conversation class.
Ashley McGovern
star 5.0
2024-11-25
Great course!
Allison Allen
star 5.0
2024-10-23
I have now attended 12 classes with Berges (I think) and I have found them to be very useful. The benefit goes well beyond the material converted, which of course I could read for myself. The power of this course is the combination of a systematic approach to covering the material combined with the opportunity, in each class, to both listen to and speak Spanish. This is incredibly helpful! The teachers are all very good, the classes are small, and each class is impactful. In addition, I think the pricing is very reasonable. I’m really glad to have discovered the Berges Institute!
Melissa C.
star 4.0
2024-08-14
This was my third class with Berges and Nicolás as my teacher. I really love his approach and the way the course is structured. I feel like I have a good handle on the material -- for me, it's always conversation that's most difficult. I can't think fast enough to form sentences! In our class, Nicolas spends A LOT of time working with us on conversational skills. I'm giving only four stars this time because I had to take two classes with a different instructor and found the experience very different. One of the most helpful things about the way our class is structured is that we always review the homework first, taking turns reading our answers and addressing any questions we have about it, before we jump into new material. The other instructor reviewed homework assignments toward the end of class and provided much less talking time and interactivity. They basically read us the homework answers and textbook content. Maybe it's just a personal preference. Everything at Berges is so nicely standardized I expected the class flow would be more or less the same regardless of instructor. Still signing up for Level 4!
tony binns
star 5.0
2024-07-18
I enjoyed the course very much. Gloria was a great instructor. She was able to make grammatical examples that I could relate to and apply it. I think the chapters were on point. This was my second time taking Level 3. I think it was a good move and I learn a little bit more than I knew at first.
Ray Valdez
star 5.0
2024-07-08
Level 3 to me has been the turning point of comprehension. As of now this is my 3rd time in level 3 throughout my journey in Berges Institute/ learning Spanish. The instructors have all been very patient as they understand that not everyone learns at the same speed. Time, focus, and due diligence is the key to becoming fluent in conversations, that I'm participating more and more in conversations with muly coworkers whom mostly speak Spanish
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