A mini play about Teaching Tenses

I need a book.

What kind of book?

A grammar book… but not your typical kind like this:

I want a great one… …with clear, simple explanations Milenio newspaper advertisement

… and a focus on typical learner errors for each tense They all have went to the film festival. If only my grammar book had prepared me for that error… That ain’t right..

… and real world practice ideas

… with photocopiable activities

The perfect grammar book

That does sound like the perfect book.

Yah - But where can I find it!?

Stop searching !

Clear explanations Lists of typical learner errors for each tense Great activity ideas for real world practice Photocopiable activities

Simple grammar explanations Example: Present perfect simple Meaning and function: The present perfect shows the present situation in relation to past action; that is, how the past is relevant to now For uncompleted actions where both actor and result remain A single continuous action: I have lived in Toronto for 10 years. A repeated or habitual action or truth: My mother has always played tennis. B ) For an action which took place in an identified period of time, which is not yet over I’ve read a book this morning (this morning is not yet finished). This usage also suggests some present consequence C) For an action which took place in the past; but whose results are still present I’ve spilt the milk (it’s still on the floor). I moved to Toronto I have lived in Toronto for 10 years. (I still live there) Full Form Negative Form I you we they have (‘ve) walked drunk run I you we they have not (haven’t) walked drunk run he she it has (‘s) he she it Has not (hasn’t) Have you walked? Haven’t you walked?

Example:

Present perfect simple

Meaning and function:

The present perfect shows the present situation

in relation to past action; that is, how the past is relevant to now

For uncompleted actions where both actor and result remain

A single continuous action: I have lived in Toronto for 10 years.

A repeated or habitual action or truth: My mother has always played tennis.

B ) For an action which took place in an identified period of time, which is not yet over

I’ve read a book this morning (this morning is not yet finished). This usage also suggests some present consequence

C) For an action which took place in the past; but whose results are still present

I’ve spilt the milk (it’s still on the floor).

Typical learner errors Example: Present perfect simple Learner Error: Form, Spelling and Pronunciation Contracted forms create phonetic problems Contracted ‘s’ understood as ‘is’ Contracted forms not heard at all Learner Error: Meaning and Function Where the action is not complete, students may use the present simple or present continuous, especially with the use of ‘since’. (French/Spanish/Indian languages) “ I am knowing him since I was small.” /a I hæf/, /a I ha:f/, /a I f/ for “ I have”

Example:

Present perfect simple

Learner Error: Form, Spelling and Pronunciation

Contracted forms create phonetic problems

Contracted ‘s’ understood as ‘is’

Contracted forms not heard at all

Learner Error: Meaning and Function

Where the action is not complete, students may use the present simple or present continuous, especially with the use of ‘since’. (French/Spanish/Indian languages)

Real world activity ideas Example: Present perfect simple For uncompleted actions where both actor and result remain Geographical or currently relevant historical information from fact sheets (the building was a school, but has been a hotel for three years..) B ) For an action which took place in an identified period of time, which is not yet over A list of the week’s necessary tasks. The students hare told that it is now Wednesday night, and asked to produce a timetable for Thursday, by finding out from each other which tasks are already complete and what remains to be done. C) For an action which took place in the past; but whose results are still present A picture story leads to a narrative. Begin in the present continuous then introduce new pictures showing a strong clues, which should lead them into present perfect ( what’s happened? ).

For uncompleted actions where both actor and result remain

Geographical or currently relevant historical information from fact sheets (the building was a school, but has been a hotel for three years..)

B ) For an action which took place in an identified period of time, which is not yet over

A list of the week’s necessary tasks. The students hare told that it is now Wednesday night, and asked to produce a timetable for Thursday, by finding out from each other which tasks are already complete and what remains to be done.

C) For an action which took place in the past; but whose results are still present

A picture story leads to a narrative. Begin in the present continuous then introduce new pictures showing a strong clues, which should lead them into present perfect ( what’s happened? ).

Photocopiable activities Sorry folks – for these, you’ll just have to trust us that they’re good. (they are.)

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