Make distance visible before explaining the paradigm
Demonstratives are deictic: their meaning depends on the speaker's point of reference. That makes them ideal for a visual lesson. Put objects in three zones and let students point before they see a complete chart.
Use este for the near zone, ese for an intermediate or addressee-oriented zone, and aquel for a clearly distant zone. Once the spatial contrast is understood, add gender and number.
Change only one variable at a time
Start with masculine singular objects so distance is the only decision. Then keep distance fixed and change gender. Finally change number. This prevents students from solving three new problems at once.
After the forms are stable, mix everything and make the student explain the choice. A correct answer with a reason is more diagnostic than a fast guess.
Introduce esto, eso and aquello as noun-free forms
Neutral demonstratives are especially useful when the speaker points to an idea, situation or unidentified thing rather than a named noun. Contrast este problema with esto to show that the neutral form does not accompany a noun.
Use screenshots, strange objects or short scenarios and ask ¿Qué es esto? or ¿Qué pensás de eso? The learner can use the forms before needing a precise noun.
Move from physical distance to discourse distance
Once students control spatial reference, extend the idea to time and discourse: esta semana, ese día, aquella época, eso que dijiste. The system becomes broader without requiring a new memorized table.
A strong final task is a virtual gallery. The student guides another person through near, medium and distant items, then refers back to comments made earlier in the conversation.