1. Conditionals and Hypothetical Meaning

2. Lead-in
Give a definition for conditional sentences.

3. A Definition from Applied Linguistics
‘A full conditional sentence (one which expresses the condition as well as its consequences) therefore contains two clauses: the dependent clause expressing the condition, called the protasis; and the main clause expressing the consequence, called the apodosis.’

4. Or… They contain two parts (clauses).
They begin with the word ‘if’ to establish a condition.
The second part of the sentence (clause) establishes the consequence.
They express hypothetical/imaginary situations and their consequences.
E.g. If it rains, the party will be cancelled.

5. Outcomes Define the different types of conditional sentences
Analyse their main types and characteristics in terms of meaning, form and pronunciation
Evaluate a video extract of how to present the second conditional with a particular focus on concept questions
Identify errors that learners make
Discuss how conditionals are taught in your TP course books

6. Sentence Analyis Task
Separate handout (from The CELTA Coursebook) + classification table (Type 1, 2 and 3 conditionals)

7. An Alternative Classification
Conditional sentences can express either a real condition or an unreal condition. Both can refer to the past and present/future.
Real condition
Unreal condition
Present/future
(non-past)
If it snows, what will you do?
If it snowed tomorrow, what would you do?
Past
If it snowed (when you were young), what did you do?
If it had snowed (last week), what would you have done?

8. An Alternative Classification
Conditional sentences can express either a real condition or an unreal condition. Both can refer to the past and present/future.
Real condition
Unreal condition
Present/future
(non-past)
If it snows, ….
Past

9. Observation Task Which type of conditional is being taught?
(Use Scrivener Learning Teaching DVD, Clarification section)
Which type of conditional is being taught?
What is the context?
Write down the marker sentence used.
__________________________________________
Write down the concept questions asked.
________________________________________
Comment on how the form is highlighted.
When is pronunciation practised and how?

10. Learner Problems
Study these examples of learner errors. Decide what is the learner getting wrong.
A. If it will rain, we will wait for you in the house.
B. If you didn’t like it, you went!
C. If I could choose a city to live in, I’m sure I’ll choose Florence.
D. If Cleopatra would have been ugly, history had been different.
E. I wish I have more money!
F. If only you didn’t lose your passport! Now we will miss the plane.

11. Classroom Application
Have a look at your coursebook. Find the sections where it deals with conditional patterns and other ways of expressing hypothetical meaning and answer the questions.
What types are taught?
How does the book contextualise them?
How are they practised?
What information about the grammar is given to the learner?