5th January 2021
Basic grammar is a continual problem with my online classes, that and the stubborn reluctance [contumacy for those who like to learn new words] to write down new words, or to learn from their mistakes.
Basic grammar is basically lacking.
Many older student will, I am sure, have traumatic memories of conjugating verbs endlessly, without ever applying them in real-life situations. Hence, I propose a synthesis; drilling of verb ending, and then applying them in simple sentences.
Enough preamble, let’s go to work !
The verb ‘to be’
Only teach constructions in upper level classes
I am // I’m
you are // you’re
he is // he’s
she is // she’s
it is // it’s
Mr John is // Mr John’s
we are // we’re
they are // they’re
Have students repeat until their grammar is perfect. Make games, see who can conjugate the verbs clearest and quickest.
Now … practice:
First let’s use an adjective:
happy / sad / lucky / hard-working / lazy
Let’s start with the adjective ‘happy’
I am happy // I’m happy
you are happy // you’re _______
he _____ \
she ______ \
it _______\
Mr John ______ \
we ____ \
they ______
Secondly, let’s use a continuous verb (verb + ing)
reading / playing / swimming / watching TV / eating
I am reading
you ___ _______
he __ _________
she __ _______
It __ _______
Mr John __ _____
we __ ______
they __ ________
The verb ‘to have’
I have
you have
he has
she has
it has
Ms Jane has
we have
they have
Now … practice:
Let’s use some common nouns
sister (or twin sister) / piano / dog / iPad / new book
I have a ____
you ____ ______
he ___ _________
she ___ _______
Ms Jane ____ _______
we ____ ______
they ____ _______
OK, Snoopy, enough is enough … but we have just started. More blogs to follow.
Happy 2022, the Year of the Grammar
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Thay Paul's Notes 
I guarantee you that your students are no worse than the typical putz here. Millennials and younger constantly rant that grammar and spelling are some sort of evil ploy to keep them down. *headdesk*
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Or, as they would put it, “Keep them to down”(no full stop). Seriously, I have given kids five new words to write, and ten minutes later, half the class are still just staring at me – they can’t believe I am asking them to work. Even wondered why there is a brand of Scotch called ‘Teachers’ ?
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The best you can do is try to convince them that what they’ve been fed thus far is a line of BS and that knowledge is power. Without it, somebody else is doing your thinking for you and truly controlling your life.
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