If you are teaching conversation skills, you may find my list of the top conversation patterns helpful.
http://labonteesl.webs.com/conversationpatterns.pdf
You'll need 8 1/2 x 14 paper to print out.
Thanks.
Don La Bonte
top conversation patterns
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labonteesl
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hihowareyou
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I read your website and I totally agree. Student's do know words but they don't know grammar structures, or patterns, as you call them.
I teach adults and I see that all they do is they translate in their head from their own language. Even simple things like the verb "can," they don't know how to use it because they use the word "possible."
To fix the problem I take one grammar structure during the class and ask them 30 questions with that particular structure/pattern until they can do it really quickly like a native. Sometimes it takes 2 classes to beat the structure into the student's head. It's a boring method and some students don't like it. All of them want to do conversation. But I tell them that if they can't learn to use the word "can" in a sentence, they're never going to be good at conversation.
I like your list. Thanks.
I teach adults and I see that all they do is they translate in their head from their own language. Even simple things like the verb "can," they don't know how to use it because they use the word "possible."
To fix the problem I take one grammar structure during the class and ask them 30 questions with that particular structure/pattern until they can do it really quickly like a native. Sometimes it takes 2 classes to beat the structure into the student's head. It's a boring method and some students don't like it. All of them want to do conversation. But I tell them that if they can't learn to use the word "can" in a sentence, they're never going to be good at conversation.
I like your list. Thanks.