Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Smee]

Hi,
I'm putting together some ideas for a teachers' class on modals (can, should, must, etc.). I'm sure you can figure out why, ㅋㅋ. Anyway, besides explaining how the rules are used, and making sample sentences, has anyone done an interesting activity or lesson for this? Thanks.

[ddeubel]

Yeah,

That one is always a toughie....I"d like to hear from others also.

I've always shown a powerpoint, I'll have to dig up the link.

Can picture has a !
Should has a thinking bubble...
Must has a finger shaking

I've also taught it by putting a bar with Can at one end should in the middle and Must at the other end 0 --------------------100%

Students can brainstorm verbs and put in appropriate lists. Better yet, give them verb flashcards and have them make correct statements.

they can also do lists of

What I can do!

What I should do

What I must do (boo hoo).

DD

[mrsquirrel]

Possibly working it into a gap fill story, with funny consequences or out come.

I can't remember off the top of my head what I did with should and must at the start of this year but I'm pretty sure it involved bathing.

[Juregen]

I tend to use one class on just one verb for this situation.

After that I use them both to make sure they understand the difference in use by making them express stuff about homework, helping around the house, playing. Basically it is comparing situations, and make them understand the difference.

Not easy and it takes a lot of effort.

[Fishead soup]

I'm currently teaching should and shouldn't use a speed quiz charades game.If you're not aware of speed quiz. Its a Korean variation of the game Taboo.

Students are put into teams. Each team chooses a group leader. Each group leader is given an opportunity to come to the front.

The group leader is given a list of should shouldn't sentences and given just a minute to use non verbal communication to elicit the sentence to his her group. When the time is up. The number of correct answers is added up.

The team to guess the most correct sentences win the game.

[Smee]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I didn't do anything terribly fun, but I thought I'd do a follow-up for posterity's sake.

It was a teachers' workshop with 5 other teachers. I just typed out a worksheet with modals, a little explanation, and sample sentences. Then I tried to get them to make sentences using each one by prompting them with "This weekend I . . ." and then they'd tell me something they can do, they could do (if such and such were to happen), they may do, they must do, they should do, etc.

NOthing special. The class went all right. I just wanted to touch on modals with them because, honestly, I was having a rough weekand I was especially sick of hearing the misuse of can and should. I'm still trying to compile a decent activity or two for a lesson plan database, so I'll keep my eyes peeled.

[BS.Dos.]

Yeah, don't try and teach them all at once.

I covered 'could' today with my HS 2nd graders.

I took in a bag full of everyday objects (coat hanger, stapler, can opener, solar powered phone charger, a roll of toilet paper, a toothbrush etc) and first asked them to tell me what the objects are used for, ensuring that I illicited the gerund (ing) when they gave their answers i.e.

A toothbrush is used for brushING/cleanING etc
A solar powered phone charger is used for chargING/powerING etc
Loo roll is used for cleanING/wipING (yourself) etc.

Once you've drilled them on the correct use of the object you then ask them to imagine that they're stranded on a desert island and that all they have are the same everyday objects.

Give them 10-minutes and then get them to list different uses for the same objects i.e.

It COULD be used for blah blah blah (a coat hanger COULD be used as a boomerang was the best) .

It went really well for me anyway. The kids (all boys) got right into it and loved the tangibility of the realia.

Wish I could say that I came up with the idea myself, but I pulled it off some website although, I COULD have said that I made it myself.

I'll probably look at a different modal next week and, in a few weeks time, do a recap lesson and bring them all together to see what they've learnt.

[ajuma]

I remember teaching a class on modals in my CELTA course (sorry, no fun ideas!) and during the evaluation, the teacher asked me why I hadn't taught the word "mustn't". I explained that Americans never use mustn't. I DIDN'T add that we only use it when we're mocking British pronunciation! "Now dear, you mustn't do that!"


Geez...even the spelling of "mustn't" looks strange to me!