The grammar puzzle in ELE (Level A1)
Learning grammar at the beginning levels does not have to be abstract or boring. With visual and manipulative activities, ELE A1 students better understand verbal uses and gain confidence from the first moment.
For this reason, at AIL Español we share this grammar puzzle activity, ideal for working in pairs or in small groups in the classroom.
🎯 What is the A1 grammar puzzle?
This activity proposes joining pieces related to verb tenses, verbal forms and their uses, encouraging reflection, interaction and oral and written production.
The main objective is that the student:
- Relate form + use
- Understand when and why each structure is used
- Produce simple and contextualized examples
🧠 Grammar contents that are worked on
The puzzle focuses on key uses of level A1, fundamental for basic communication:
🔹 Express habitual actions or routines
Structures are being worked on that allow us to talk about:
daily routines
Repeated actions
Personal habits
Example in class:
Trabajo por la mañana. Ceno a las nueve.
🔹 Express universal truths
Ideal to introduce:
General facts
Statements that are always true
Example:
El agua hierve a 100 grados.
🔹 The gerund in Spanish (estar + gerund)
The puzzle helps to understand one of the concepts that generates the most doubts at initial levels:
Uses of the gerund:
With the verb estar, to express actions in development
To indicate the mode or form in which an action is performed
Example:
Estoy estudiando español.
Camina hablando por teléfono.
