In this lesson, children are introduced to the concept of noun gender in Spanish for the first time. Unlike English, where only some words like brother or aunt are gendered, every Spanish noun has a grammatical gender — either masculine or feminine. This can feel unusual to new language learners, but it’s a core part of Spanish grammar. It’s also important to explain that grammatical gender is not about whether something is male or female, but simply a way the language works. Pupils will begin to recognise patterns: masculine nouns often end in -o (like bolígrafo) and feminine nouns in -a (like regla), though there are exceptions. Articles help too: el and un for masculine nouns, la and una for feminine ones.

This video is part of Kapow Primary’s Spanish scheme of work – grammar. It supports teachers in introducing this new grammar concept through clear explanations and practical examples. With tips for helping pupils notice patterns and use dictionaries effectively, the video helps to build early confidence in using articles and gendered vocabulary. Children are encouraged to combine nouns with the correct article when speaking and writing, and to spot familiar words in classroom instructions and resources.

Spanish, Lower key stage 2, Year 3, Unit 4: Classroom objects in Spanish, Lesson 2: Un or una?