This Spanish video demonstrates how to introduce the bilingual dictionary to new language learners, its features and potential errors that can occur in translating between English and Spanish.

It explains the two alphabetical halves (Spanish–English and English–Spanish), that entries give translations not definitions and that words can have more than one meaning. Pupils should begin by working with nouns: locating the correct half of the dictionary, checking word class, confirming gender markers (m/f) and avoiding confusion between nouns and verbs such as watch.

The video offers guidance for adjectives and verbs: noticing adjectival forms change with gender and number, finding verbs in the infinitive and using tables for conjugations where provided. Sensible use of online translation is modelled for single words with reverse checks. Regular, focused practice builds independence and supports reading and writing throughout Key Stage 2.

This video is part of Kapow Primary’s Spanish Year 3 and 4 teacher videos, which support teachers in developing confidence and subject knowledge when helping children learn to communicate with increasing fluency in another language.

See more of our Year 3 and 4 Spanish scheme of work.

• Spanish, Mixed-age, Y3/4 (B): Unit 4: Weather in Spain
• Spanish, Mixed-age, Y3/4 (A): Unit 4: Classroom objects in Spanish