Language Analysis - Grammar

Language-based lessons (form, concept, phonology) This page is ONLY for language focused lessons (i.e. grammar or
functional language). Vocabulary focus should go on the separate sheet.
What is the language point?
FORM
Past Continuous and Past Simple
Andrew Croft met some important writers while he was studying at Lancing College.
Andrew Crofts was working for a magazine before he became the ghostwriter.
What context will you use to elicit the language from Ss? Be specific and include the context and
eliciting question
The previous lessons context will be continued with a short text about Andrew Crofts life in the
past . Students will be exposed the TL with the help of example sentences taken from this short
text.
Form Analysis
Andrew Crofts met new people while he was travelling .
S
+ PAST SIMPLE
+
while + S + PAST CONTINUOUS
Andrew Croft was working on his book when the phone rang .
S
+ PAST CONTINUOUS + when
+ S
+ PAST SIMPLE

CONCEPT / MEANING

Concept:
Something in progress in the past when something else happened often with when, while, before
The past continuous describes an action that starts first, but interrupted by a second action. Past
simple is for short action. Past continuous is for the long action. The interrupted action may or may
not continue after interruption. It is not important.
Concept Checking Questions or other Technique Youll Use to Check Meaning
What tense is the verb in red?
What tense is the verb in green?
What tense do we use for completed actions?
What tense do we use for continuous actions?
Which action started first?
Is meet long or short action?
Is write long or short action?
Do you use while with the past simple or past continuous? (Past continuous)
A timeline will be used if necessary, to show the meaning:

source: Google images

Language Analysis - Grammar

ANTICIPATED
PROBLEMS & SOLUTIONS

Problem: Ss may mispronounce was and were with strong forms /wz/and /w:/ instead of the
correct weaker forms /wz/ and / /w/.

PHONOLOGY
Solution: Drill the sentences chorally, than individually to check sentence stress and weak forms.
MEANING

Problem: Ss may use two the past continuous or past simple forms:
I was standing just behind her when she was fainting.
James caught malaria while he worked in West Africa.
Solution: Use CCQs to check the use of tenses, use clear examples in context, encourage selfcorrection in controlled exercise stage

FORM

Students may use past continuous with state verbs with the effect of L1 which allows such as
sentence:
She was knowing the answer before she took the test.
Solution: Use CCQs to check the use of tenses, use clear examples in context, encourage selfcorrection in controlled exercise stage

Reference Materials Used Parrot, M. (2000). Grammar for English Language Teachers. Cambridge: CUP
Parsons, J. & Witherick, N. (2011). Speakout Pre-intermediate. Essex: Pearson
Scrivener, J. (2010). Teaching English Grammar: What to Teach and How to Teach it. London :
Macmillan
Swan, M. & Walter, C. (1997). How English Works. Oxford: OUP