To give a class

Question

Hola, Se puede decir en español.... dar clases? No sé si es el verbo correcto. Por ejemplo, un profesor da clases a un nino.

Gracias,

Aidan

¡Sí! It's the most common way for saying it. - cogumela, Oct 17, 2010

Answer 1

Yes, I think that is correct. A teacher can give classes to her students.

"La profesora dio clases de inglés a sus estudiantes." (The teacher gave English classes to her students.)

Answer 2

Dar una clase / give a class are very common.

There is a theory in academia that this term is used because teachers have always been so underpaid that they give away their time. From my own experience, I can say this is true.

HA, I have to agree with that also! - chris126, Oct 17, 2010

Answer 3

I'm not sure if this is commonly used or not, but I know I've read "impartir una clase". Opinions?

It sounds a bit more formal, although it can be used as well to avoid confusion ("dar una clase" could mean either being the teacher or a student). - LoaEtayo, Oct 17, 2010

"Impartir información" is OK, but "Impartir una clase" sounds strange - 005faa61, Oct 17, 2010

I agree with Loa and disagree with "impartir sounds strange". In fact, is more correct "impartir" than "dar", "impartir" sounds formal and "dar" sounds informal. - cogumela, Oct 17, 2010

It's probably just down to regional preferences, but yes, "impartir clases" sounds more formal, yet perfectly fine to say. - bill1111, Oct 17, 2010

Answer 4

I've usually heard of a professor holding a class, having a class or teaching a class. The phrase "giving a class" sounds quaint yet not archaic in my opinion.

Edited to add: I'm referring to the English language in my above examples.

I disagree. At least in my part of the USA, I hear it often. ex: "Last week I gave a class in podcasting for the gifted students." ." - Valerie, Oct 17, 2010

Good point, Valerie - it could very well be a regional thing. - SiempreAprendo, Oct 17, 2010

I need to add: "I gave a class" sounds perfectly fine, but "the teacher gave English classes to her students" sounds jarring, IMO. - SiempreAprendo, Oct 17, 2010