If you are navigating the complexities of English grammar instruction, Rosemary Aitken’s
Teaching Tenses: Ideas for Presenting and Practising Tenses in English
is widely considered an essential "survival guide" for both new and experienced educators. Why This Book is a Teacher Favorite
Unlike traditional grammar references that focus solely on rules, Aitken bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and classroom application. Deep Language Analysis
: Each section provides a thorough breakdown of form and function, helping you understand the subtle nuances between similar structures, such as "I eat" versus "I am eating". Ready-to-Use Activities
: The book is packed with suggested contexts, practice activities, and a resource bank of photocopiable materials to make abstract concepts visible to students. Predictive Troubleshooting teaching tenses rosemary aitken pdf
: A standout feature is the "learner error" section in every chapter, which prepares you for common student mistakes in pronunciation and usage. Visual Aids
: It utilizes time-line graphics to clearly illustrate when and how different tenses occur, which is invaluable for visual learners. Content Overview
The book is organized logically by time frame and structure: Present & Past Sections : Covering simple, continuous, and perfect forms. Future Section
: Exploring "will," "going to," and timetable/diary futures. Conditionals & Modals : Detailed analysis of "if" clauses and modal auxiliaries. Passive Voice
: Breakdown of simple, continuous, and perfect passive tenses. Best Use Cases Reviewers on frequently highlight its value for: CELTA/TESOL Trainees If you are navigating the complexities of English
: It provides the exact level of detail required for language analysis assignments. New Teachers
: It builds confidence by providing immediate answers to tough student questions. Experienced Educators
: It serves as a solid refresher for "intense" teaching areas that might still feel unclear. While physical copies are available through retailers like
, digital previews and references can often be found on platforms like Internet Archive Teaching Tenses : Aitken, Rosemary - Amazon.com.be
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Many teachers begin a lesson saying, "Today we will study the Past Perfect." Aitken argues this kills curiosity. Instead, use one of her "Discovery Activities" from the PDF. Present a short text or dialogue and ask students, "Which action happened first?"
Most textbooks fail here. Aitken provides a simple role-play: Diary vs. Cloudy Sky.
This is where the book shines. For each of the major tenses (Simple Present, Present Continuous, Simple Past, Past Continuous, Present Perfect, Past Perfect, Future forms), she offers: