The sociocultural aspects and the use of the simple present tense in the teaching of Spanish as a foreign language

Abstract

The present paper is an experience the author had in the teaching of Spanish as a foreign language during his three years as part of the educational brigade in the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. Its objective is to show how the students improved the use of the verb SER (TO BE). The teaching of Spanish as a foreign language in the English speaking countries has an outstanding significance since the students not only learn the linguistic content of the language but also the habits, customs, and culture of the Hispanic countries. Hence, it is essential to relate the use of the simple present in the teaching of Spanish as a foreign language with the sociocultural aspects that the students learn. The comprehension of this relationship should contribute to a better development of the oral expression of the students and the results obtained were outstanding.