My 10 favourite grammar lessons Scott Thornbury www.thornburyscott.com

1. On Saturday evenings I usually stay in. 2. I often borrow things and forget to give them back. 3. If it’s a nice day, I often head for the beach. 4. I always put some music on when I get home. 5. I don’t like cooking so I tend to eat out. 6. I look after my neighbours’ cat when they’re away.

There was a young woman of Riga Who went for a ride on a tiger. They returned from the ride With the woman inside And a smile on the face of the tiger.

There was a woman from Riga who were on a tiger to make a ride There was a woman from Riga who were on a tiger to make a ride. When they come back the woman was in tiger and the tiger were smiling. There was a young woman from Riga who go for ride on a tiger. The tiger come back with the woman inside and a smile on the tiger. There was a young woman of Riga who went for a ride on a tiger. The tiger returned with the woman inside and a smile on its face.

Skeleton text   It’s high time you _________________ it’s high time _________________ , _________________ keep(s) saying. Thanks for the advice, but it’s my time you’re talking about and I’ll decide when to move.

It’s high time you helped me with the housework. It’s high time you tidied up your room. It’s high time you studied harder, Mum keeps saying. Mum, don’t be angry. It’s my life. I’ll do what you want, but, please, stop nagging.

Decide if the following sentences refer to the job of a teacher or an airline pilot: “You must study hard if you want to pass the exam,” said the _______ to the student. A/an ________ has to wear a uniform. A/an ________ should have a lot of patience and not criticise people. A/an _________ must have permission from Air Traffic Control before landing. A/an _______ should be interested and like speaking to people. _________ don’t usually have to work at the weekend. _________ mustn’t work more than two days in a row. _________ have to go to the doctor’s for regular check-ups.

Researchers found that “ Researchers found that “... learning becomes better if conditions are arranged so that students make errors.... Getting the answer wrong is a great way to learn.” Scientific American October 20, 2009

1950 1967 1974 1986 1997

1950 1967 1974 1986 1997 I was born I left home I started teaching I moved to Spain. I wrote a book.

What’s Matilda doing now?

She’s peeling potatoes. She’s bathing the baby. She’s weeding the garden. She’s spying on the neighbours. She’s stuffing a turkey.

E-factor: Efficiency = economy, ease, efficacy A-factor: Appropriacy G-factor: Generalisability  

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