Contextualization

The verb 'gustar' plays a very important role in the Spanish language, being one of the most used verbs in everyday life by native speakers. One of its main characteristics is the inversion of the subject and the object in relation to the structure used in Portuguese, for example. This happens because in Spanish we say that something or someone 'pleases us' instead of 'we like something or someone'.

This verb is essential to express likes, preferences, and feelings, making it an essential tool for social interaction. Furthermore, the verb 'gustar' is an excellent starting point to understand and explore other sentence structures in Spanish that work in a similar way, such as verbs that express feelings like 'encantar' (to love), 'interesar' (to interest), or 'molestar' (to bother).

The verb 'gustar' is of great relevance not only for the Spanish discipline but also for students' practical lives. Learning to use it correctly can be a valuable tool for those who wish to travel to Hispanic countries for leisure or study, with various practical applications in daily life, from expressing culinary preferences to discussing personal interests with natives.

Undoubtedly, the ability to use the verb 'gustar' appropriately contributes to more effective and authentic communication in Spanish. Furthermore, it is important to emphasize that mastering the use of the verb 'gustar' facilitates the understanding and application of other verbs that follow the same structure, further enhancing students' proficiency in the Spanish language.

I suggest using the following resources to delve deeper into the topic:

1. Article 'Cómo usar el verbo gustar en español' from Transparent language
2. Article 'O Uso do Verbo Gustar em Espanhol' on the Espanhol Prático website
3. Video 'Verbos como gustar' on the Espanhol para brasileiros channel

Practical Activity

Activity Title: 'The Things I Like'

Project Objective

The objective of this activity is for students to become familiar with and practice the use of the verb 'gustar' by creating an illustrative presentation of their personal preferences and likes using the Spanish language.

Project Description

Groups will create a presentation titled 'The Things I Like'. In this presentation, students should explore their personal preferences, such as food, music, movies, hobbies, sports, etc. Each group member should have the opportunity to share their preferences and must use the verb 'gustar' to express these interests and likes. The project will be carried out in groups of 3 to 5 students and must be submitted within one week.

Required Materials

• Computer or tablet with Internet access
• Presentation application (Google Slides, PowerPoint, Prezi, etc.)
• Spanish dictionary

Step by Step

1. Form groups of 3 to 5 students and choose a leader for each group. The leader will be responsible for coordinating the team, assigning tasks, and ensuring that everyone is working together.

2. As a group, have an initial discussion to share your preferences and likes. Make sure each group member has the opportunity to discuss their preferences.

3. Use the verb 'gustar' to express these preferences in Spanish. Consult the dictionary to verify the correct use of the verb and other necessary words.

4. After the discussion, start developing the presentation. Each slide should represent a group member and their personal preferences. Each slide should contain a representative photo, a brief description in Spanish using the verb 'gustar', and the translation into Portuguese.

5. Remember to review the presentation to correct any possible grammatical errors and ensure that the verb 'gustar' was used correctly.

6. Present the presentation to the teacher and the class.

Project Deliverables

The group must submit the presentation in digital format, and each group member must write an individual document reporting on the project experience. The document should include the following topics:

1. Introduction: The student should contextualize the theme, its relevance and real-world application, as well as the objective of this project.

2. Development: The student should explain the theory behind the central theme(s) of the project, detail the activity, indicate the methodology used, and finally present and discuss the results obtained.

3. Conclusion: The student should conclude the work by summarizing the main points, explaining the learnings obtained, and drawing conclusions about the project.

4. Bibliography: The student should indicate the sources they relied on to work on the project such as books, websites, videos, etc.

Together with the presentation and report, students should be able to demonstrate a good understanding and correct application of the verb 'gustar', as well as socio-emotional skills such as time management, communication, and problem-solving.