I think you confuse students more by telling them that these two are often the same in meaning:
He wrote a lot of books.
He has written a lot of books.
To me, in the past simple form, there is a sense of termination (isn't that one of the main functions of that tense?), but the present perfect allows us to indicate that he may write more, or is still a writer.
Globish
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Anuradha Chepur
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I stopped teaching the present perfect, and I am getting betterI think you confuse students more by telling them that these two are often the same in meaning:
results.
But I never told them that when I used to teach them the present
perfect earlier. I used to give them the BE explanation.
If you check a book talking about AE/BE distinction,He wrote a lot of books.
He has written a lot of books.
To me, in the past simple form, there is a sense of termination (isn't that one of the main functions of that tense?), but the present perfect allows us to indicate that he may write more, or is still a writer.
both can mean he is still a writer and he may write more.
So you are saying AE is incorrect.
Of course you are. The present perfect isn't easily taught, but I hope you students know they are missing out on a large part of English grammar.I stopped teaching the present perfect, and I am getting better
results.
I'd say it's unfortunate. Anyway, I've said all I can regarding AE usage of that aspect.So you are saying AE is incorrect.
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Anuradha Chepur
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Why?The present perfect isn't easily taught,
Actually, I teach communicative English to adults,but I hope you students know they are missing out on a large part of English grammar.
who have very little time to learn. In my opinion,
I'm being sensitive to their needs, though I may not
get the Best teacher Award from metal.
Communicative American English, right?Actually, I teach communicative English to adults,
who have very little time to learn.
OK, let's say you were teaching in another context, one in which students had more time, would you also omit the present perfect from your program/me?I'm being sensitive to their needs, though I may not
get the Best teacher Award from metal.
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Anuradha Chepur
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I'm afraid I wouldn't employ a teacher who decided to omit the present perfect from a course just to replace it with the past simple, but that doesn't make you a bad teacher in the whole.Anuradha Chepur wrote:No. In that case I would teach them the present perfect too.OK, let's say you were teaching in another context, one in which students had more time, would you also omit the present perfect from your program/me?
But you didn't answer the other question.
Is that the question you refer to?
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Anuradha Chepur
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Anuradha Chepur wrote:Metal wrote:Why?The present perfect isn't easily taught,
I see. Well, because it uses concepts which are difficult for many teachers to get across. The structure is quite simple, but usage is another thing. Plus, many teacher do not know about the different applications of that aspect. I train many teachers yearly and many of them simply say "the present perfect is used for recent events". The truth is more complex.I was talking about this question.
Last edited by metal56 on Thu Dec 14, 2006 12:08 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Anuradha Chepur
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If few teachers cannot get it across, then the teachers are at fault.I see. Well, because it uses concepts which are difficult for many teachers to get across.
But if 'many' teachers cannot get it across, then something is wrong in the
concept. The system is at fault. It's time to check the system.
The many teacher you refer to are native speakers or non-native speakers? And they say that before or after the training youPlus, many teacher do not know about the different applications of that aspect. I train many teachers yearly and many of them simply say "the present perfect is used for recent events".
give them? You mean you find it difficult to get across to the teachers you
train?
Why is it complex?The truth is more complex.
[/quote]Why is it complex?The truth is more complex.
It's probably better if you read a few articles about the different uses of the present perfect and compare those uses with the ones for the present simple. After that, come back and tell us which you think is easier to teach and why.
If few teachers cannot get it across, then the teachers are at fault.
But if 'many' teachers cannot get it across, then something is wrong in the
concept. The system is at fault. It's time to check the system. quote]
Really? So we should also check the system regarding modal verbs, right? And no one should ever learn Basque, which has many difficult grammar concepts.
Both.The many teacher you refer to are native speakers or non-native speakers?
Last edited by metal56 on Thu Dec 14, 2006 3:23 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Anuradha Chepur
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I think I've addressed it enough and this thread has strayed too far from the original theme. As I said, if you want to work hard, read a few articles on the complex nature of the present perfect.Anuradha Chepur wrote:Okay I will wait for a complete answer from you.
It's a hard question no doubt, but needs to be addressed
all the same.
Why not start a thread titled "Is the present perfect redundant or becoming so"?
Would these have the same semantic and pragmatic meaning for you?Anuradha Chepur wrote:Okay I will wait for a complete answer from you.
It's a hard question no doubt, but needs to be addressed
all the same.
They have been married for 10 years.
They got married ten years ago.
Last edited by metal56 on Thu Dec 14, 2006 11:43 pm, edited 1 time in total.