Ser or Estar
Ser or estar? Both mean "to be," and choosing the wrong one is one of the most common Spanish mistakes. This A2 vocabulary-building course makes the choice feel automatic, and grows your lexicon along the way.
One of the four courses in your A2 Roadmap to Fluency.
Grab a seat
Here are the two soonest classes opening for this course. Pick the one that fits your schedule, or see the full year below.
Online via Zoom
Thursdays, 6:30–8:30pm ET
Autumn 2026 · 10/1 – 12/10*Not 11/26
$599 for the 10-week course
Enroll OnlineIn person · Falls Church, map
Wednesdays, 6–8pm ET
Winter 2027 · 1/20 – 3/24
$599 for the 10-week course
Enroll in Falls ChurchAlready started?
You can still join. Late enrollments are the full course rate.
Reserve your seatHow it works
Confirm this is your level
This is an A2 course. New students place in with the Level Placement Test. Coming from A1? You are ready once you have passed the A1 Exit Exam.
Choose your section
Pick the online or Falls Church class that fits your schedule.
Show up and practice
Add clubs and tutoring to keep speaking between classes.
Every class section
Online Sections
Falls Church Sections
By the end of this course
Each of the ten weeks takes one situation where ser and estar compete, and settles it. You'll review short materials before class, then use class time to say it out loud until the choice stops being a decision.
Know which "to be" you need.
Tell ser and estar apart on sight, and use each one for what it actually does.
Describe someone in detail.
Talk about what a person looks like and what they're like, without stopping to think about the verb.
Talk about work.
Say what you and the people around you do for a living, and ask someone about theirs.
Handle time, numbers, and routines.
Give the time and the date, use numbers naturally, and describe an ordinary day.
Say where you and your family are from.
Talk about nationality, origin, and family relationships with the right verb every time.
Place things in space.
Say where something or someone is, and describe position, distance, and surroundings.
Describe what's happening right now.
Use estar with the present progressive to narrate an action already in progress.
Express how you feel.
Describe emotions, moods, and the condition something is in at a given moment.
Use the adjectives that change meaning.
Handle listo, aburrido, rico and the rest, where the verb you choose changes what the sentence means.
Put it all together.
Review the full course and choose the right "to be" without a second thought.
Start with one course, or choose the Roadmap
Just this course
$599 à la carte
- All ten sessions of Ser or Estar
- Course materials and homework included
- Choose online or Falls Church
- Most flexible if you want to start one course at a time
$50 more per course · no club credits · no priority seat
Pick a SectionThe A2 Roadmap to Fluency
$2,200 for the year · $550/course
- Save $200 on your four Roadmap course credits
- Get $330 in conversation club credits
- A priority seat held before classes fill
- One Roadmap purchase for four annual course credits
$530 total value: $200 savings + $330 club credits
Start My Roadmap to FluencyEither way, you choose your own sections and book each course yourself. The Roadmap reserves your credits and a priority seat for the year, but we never enroll you into classes automatically.
Everything comes with it
- A digital course syllabus with all weekly topics, objectives, homework, and solution guides.
- Interactive student materials for all ten classes.
- An individual student dashboard for notes, recordings, and class materials.
- Class recordings for every online session.
What if I miss a class?
Life gets busy. You can catch up by reviewing your materials and notes, completing the homework in the syllabus, or booking a private lesson with your instructor to make up the session.
Who this course is for
Ser or Estar is an A2 course, built for learners who have a solid A1 foundation and keep second-guessing which "to be" to use. New to Work-Life Spanish? Place into A2 with the Level Placement Test. Coming from A1? You are ready once you have passed the A1 Exit Exam.
Still not sure where you belong? Take the Level Placement Test or book a 15-minute consultation.
Practice between classes
Private Tutoring
From $42.50 · Online or Falls Church
One-on-one lessons tailored to your goals. Perfect for making up a missed class, filling gaps, or building extra confidence before you speak up in group.
Explore Private TutoringConversation Clubs
$27.50 per session · Free for Roadmappers
Real Spanish conversation in real community. The Beginner Banter Club is built for A1 through B1 learners who want more time speaking out loud.
Join a Conversation ClubHere are the answers
How many students are in a class?
Group classes typically cap at 10 students, with up to 5 additional priority seats available for Roadmap students. Class length depends on enrollment: sessions are 2 hours with 4 or more students, 90 minutes with 2 to 3 students, and 60 minutes with 1 student.
Is Ser or Estar online or in person?
Both, depending on the term. This course runs live online over Zoom in Autumn 2026 and Spring 2027, and in person in Falls Church, Virginia in Winter 2027. Each section has one format, so choose the time and setting that work best for you.
What if I miss a class?
Missing a class doesn't mean falling behind. You'll have access to your course materials so you can stay on track, and you can book a private tutoring session if you'd like one-on-one help with anything you missed.
Do I need the Level Placement Test?
If you're unsure whether Ser or Estar is the right fit, take the Level Placement Test. If you haven't completed A1, one of our A1 courses may be a better place to start.
Do I have to take all four A2 courses?
No. You can take Ser or Estar on its own, in any order. The A2 Exit Exam opens once you have completed all four A2 courses, and the A2 Roadmap bundles them at a lower rate, but each course stands on its own.
What is your refund policy?
Withdraw at least 7 days before your course begins and you'll receive a full course credit, valid for 365 days. We don't offer cash refunds for withdrawals. If Work-Life Spanish cancels your course, you'll receive an alternative option or a full refund.
Need help choosing?
Not sure which section fits, or which A2 course to take first? Reach out and we'll help you find the right fit.
Tell us what works
If none of these times or formats fit your life, let us know and we'll do our best to accommodate you.
Complete the Scheduling SurveyI have never gone this far with a language. And it's been so rewarding to learn in such an approachable manner.Danielle Danko · Ser or Estar
Stop second-guessing ser and estar.
Pick the class section that fits your schedule and you are in. You will leave choosing the right "to be" without a second thought.
See Class SectionsPlanning to go all the way? The A2 Roadmap locks in all four A2 courses at a lower rate.
Don't see what you're looking for?
Let us know by completing this short survey.
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