Spanish · C1 · Family moment
What Your Teacher Says About Marking in Spanish
This guide helps parents navigate conversations about school marking practices using advanced Spanish structures. At a C1 level, we focus on reported speech using the subjunctive mood to distinguish between what the school claims is happening (passive process) and what they plan to do (future actions).
What you'll learn
- Report school policies using the present subjunctive in passive constructions.
- Distinguish between reported ongoing processes and reported future actions.
- Maintain a neutral tone when discussing external institutional claims with your child.
Spanish phrases for what your teacher says about marking
Tu profesor dice que el esfuerzo de cada niño sea tenido en cuenta al corregir el trabajo.
Your teacher says that every child's effort is taken into account when the work is marked.
Uses 'sea tenido' (present subjunctive passive) to report the teacher's claim neutrally.
La escuela dice que el progreso de lectura sea revisado regularmente, no solo al final del trimestre.
The school says that reading progress is checked regularly, not just at the end of term.
Subjunctive 'sea revisado' indicates this is the school's stated procedure.
Tu profesor explicó que los errores sean discutidos juntos en lugar de simplemente tachados.
Your teacher explained that mistakes are discussed together rather than simply crossed out.
Contrast 'discutidos' with 'tachados' to describe educational methods.
La carta dice que a cada niño se le dé tiempo suficiente para terminar.
The letter says that each child is given enough time to finish.
Uses an impersonal 'se' structure with subjunctive 'dé' for institutional reporting.
La escuela dice que la tarea sea revisada; eso no significa necesariamente que sea calificada.
The school says that homework is checked; that does not necessarily mean it is graded.
Distinguishes between 'revisar' (check/review) and 'calificar' (grade/mark).
Tu profesor dice que explicará el nuevo sistema de calificación mañana.
Your teacher says that she will explain the new marking system tomorrow.
Uses the future indicative to report a specific future promise rather than a general process.
La carta dice que tu trabajo sea evaluado individualmente y que el profesor hablará con nosotros la próxima semana.
The letter says that your work is assessed individually and that the teacher will speak to us next week.
Combines a reported passive process (sea evaluado) with a reported future event (hablará).
La escuela dice que el progreso de todos sea reconocido; preguntemos cómo funciona eso con tu lectura.
The school says that everyone's progress is recognised; let's ask how that works with your reading.
Uses 'sea reconocido' to distance the parent's voice from the school's claim.
Hear these phrases and practise them
Tildi plays every phrase out loud, tests you in five-minute lessons and builds them into bedtime stories from your own picture books.
Try it free for 7 daysKey words
Calificar / Corregir
To grade / To mark (correct)
'Calificar' usually refers to giving a grade, while 'corregir' is the act of marking errors.
Tener en cuenta
To take into account
A common phrase in educational contexts for holistic assessment.
Tachar
To cross out
Refers specifically to putting a line through work.
Trimestre
Term / Trimester
Used for school periods in many Spanish-speaking countries.
Reported Passive Processes (Subjunctive)
To report what a school claims happens as a general rule, we use 'que' + Present Subjunctive of 'ser' + Past Participle. This conveys 'It is said that X is done'.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Singular | sea + participio | La escuela dice que el trabajo sea revisado. |
| Plural | sean + participio | Dice que los errores sean discutidos. |
Process vs. Future in Reported Speech
C1 learners must distinguish between a stated policy (Passive) and a future commitment (Future).
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Reported Policy | Subjunctive Passive | Dice que la nota sea basada en el esfuerzo. (Claimed rule) |
| Reported Future | Future Indicative | Dice que enviará las notas mañana. (Definite future event) |
More examples
Según la circular, cada entrega sea valorada por dos profesores.
According to the circular, each submission is assessed by two teachers.
Formal reporting of academic policy.
Me preocupa que, aunque se diga que el esfuerzo sea premiado, solo cuenten los exámenes.
It worries me that, even if it is said that effort is rewarded, only exams count.
Using the subjunctive to express doubt about reported practices.