Concept questions for vocabulary

littlemisscelta, 12 October, 2008 Please could you tell me what a good concept question for vocabulary would be? For example, I want to teach the word ‘sensible’. I thought of the following question (after describing a man that is sensible): Is he daring/risky? Does he make good choices? But I don’t know if this really … Read more

Conversational approach

lemonjelly, 16 February, 2009 I have been teaching English for only about 6 months now but am starting to get a clear idea of the kind of methodology I prefer and find to be the most productive. I would really like to work for a school that places a strong emphasis on conversation based learning … Read more

Gentler vs more gently

Richie Lim, 6 August, 2012 Hi, For this question, it seems to me both gentler and more gently are correct. But the answer given is #4 more gently. Why is it so? What are the rules governing this? Slower or more slowly? Q. The _____ you move your paint brush across the paper, the finer … Read more

Difference Between “Note” and “Notice”

jack705, 29 March, 2010 What is the difference between “note” and “notice”? E.g Did you note that person wearing dark shirt? I noticed something odd in his personality I am confused about the difference between the two. dan, Moderator, 29 March, 2010 I think it depends on the context. In your example… Did you note … Read more

in time/on time

Maureen, 11 November, 2007 Can someone tell me how to explain to a student the difference between in time for a meeting and on time for a meeting – I can’t do it but believe that there is an explanation – I saw one written on a board in a classroom one time? Thanks keith-r, … Read more

Is the use of “littler” ever proper?

19olga69, 7 February, 2010 What about adjectives littler and the littlest? Do they exist? Some sources say there are such words and other denied it or keep on debating.Where is the truth? dan, Moderator, 7 February, 2010 littler and the littlest do exist. What is “correct” is whatever is commonly used. I often hear native … Read more

Motivating tired students

ilovebdt, 29 May, 2006 I work at a high school in Korea and due to timetabling I get a lot of classes after they have had P.E This makes them doubly tired and I have trouble getting them to focus on the task and complete the lesson. Does anyone have any suggestions for motivating them … Read more

How can I teach the word “yesterday”?

mohtvan831, 19 August, 2016 Hello all, Could someone please help with this question below. I just need a few example as to how I should start this paragraph using the word given. Anything would help even explaining how I can start on the paragraph would do. Question: Your students are intermediate and above. They do … Read more

Past perfect continuous and past continuous

Englishteacher, 27 April, 2008 Can anyone explain the difference between these two tenses. I have read several explanations but none of them seem quite satisfactory. For example what is the difference between saying : I had been eating dinner , when the doorbell rang and : I was eating dinner, when the doorbell rang I … Read more

Past perfect – past simple problem

NWtefl, 26 January, 2010 Hi Like many teachers i have my own grammar area that Im particulary fond of. Ive done the past perfect with a group of students and, though they generally understand how it is used with the past simple, there was a question that came up today that I doubt I explained … Read more

Pre-interview CELTA… need help!

sezamek, 21 April, 2008 Hello. I need some help with celta preinterview task. II know the mistakes, however, I have no idea how to explain them easily. I’m new to all teachers’ world so please help me :( I’ve got some ideas for the answers but the biggest problem for me is to explain to … Read more

The tense of ‘are made’

Miepie 5 September, 2008 Hi, I’m working on a pre-course CELTA task from Oxford College and I need to identify the tense of the sentence ‘these computers are made in China. I personally think it’s the simple past because of ‘made’ but the auxiliary verb ‘are’ is confusing me. Am I right in thinking the … Read more