Rosemary Aitken’s primary philosophy is that tenses should not be taught as a list of rigid structures, but as a system of . She argues that if a student understands the concept of the tense (e.g., the idea of "unfinished time"), the structure often follows naturally.
By using "Teaching Tenses" by Rosemary Aitken, and by taking advantage of these additional resources, teachers can help their students to develop a deeper understanding of tenses, enabling them to communicate more effectively in English.
The back of the book contains board games, role-play prompts, and error-analysis cards. These are the sections most frequently scanned and shared as PDF extracts. The "Tense Dominoes" game is a fan favorite for reviewing six tenses at once.
Absolutely. Whether you pay for the digital download or track down a physical copy, is the single most practical guide for new ESL teachers struggling with verb aspect. It demystifies the difference between "I worked," "I have worked," and "I had been working" without relying on rote memorization.
Teaching how fixed, confirmed personal arrangements mirror present forms. Practical Classroom Applications and Activities teaching tenses rosemary aitken pdf
: Tools like concept questions to ensure students truly grasp the underlying logic of a tense.
Teaching tenses can be a daunting task, especially for non-native English speakers. One of the main challenges is the complexity of the English tense system, which includes 12 basic tenses, each with its own rules and exceptions. Additionally, students may struggle to understand the concept of aspect, which refers to the way in which the action is viewed, such as completed or ongoing.
Rosemary Aitken's "Teaching Tenses" is a widely acclaimed resource for English language teachers seeking to help their students master the complexities of verb tenses. The article below provides an informative overview of Aitken's approach and the key takeaways from her book, available in PDF format.
The book is organized systematically, moving logically from simple structures to highly advanced aspect combinations. 1. The Present Tenses Rosemary Aitken’s primary philosophy is that tenses should
Provide a list of to practice the Present Perfect.
: Dedicated chapters for Present, Past, Future, and Conditional tenses.
Students will distinguish an interrupted action (Past Continuous) from a completed action (Simple Past).
If you are looking to elevate your grammar presentation skills, reduce teacher talking time (TTT), and see genuine lightbulb moments from your students, keeping a copy of Aitken’s masterwork nearby is one of the best professional investments you can make. The back of the book contains board games,
Aitken provides a "grammar bank" for each tense. She doesn't just list rules; she provides (CCQs) that help you verify if a student truly understands, rather than just parroting a formula.
: Teachers must distinguish between "form" (how it’s built) and "function" (why it’s used). For example, miming can explain "I am eating" (present continuous), but not "I eat" (present simple for habits/routines).