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Teaching multiple tensesThe following research paper will look at the topic of teaching multiple tenses. Firstly a short explanation and purpose of this paper will be given. Secondly in table 1 we will look at the essential indicators of the different tenses and their aspects and last but not least the advantages and disadvantages of teaching multiple tenses will be discussed in table 2. 1. Explanation and purpose of this research paper For my research paper I decided to focus on the matter of teaching multiple tenses to students. In my opinion this kind of approach can only be used once the students are familiar with the tenses individually. If the tenses have all been taught separately before, a teacher can think about combining them and to get the students to use them in combination. I created the following table (table 1) as a useful overview with all the main tenses on it that can be included in a lesson as an OHT. The table contains the essential indicators of the three different tenses and their aspects. Here the similarities between the tenses will be pointed out quite clearly using different colors to indicate significant changes. The indicators for the changes in a certain tense are shown by using the same colors for each one of them (Past, Present and Future). Also the similarities between the aspects of the three tenses (Simple, Continuous, Perfect and Perfect Continuous) can be made obvious by using different colors. Pointing out the similarities especially with the Continuous tenses will help students to easily recognize and remember the ways how to use those aspects of the different tenses and form the tenses correctly. 2. Table 1: MULTIPLE TENSES TENSES ASPECTS PAST PRESENT FUTURE SIMPLE verb+ -ed/ irregular verb verb (base form) will+ verb (base form) CONTINUOUS (form of aux. verb ?to be?+ verb+ -ing) verb ?to be?+ verb+ -ing verb ?to be? (present)+ verb+ -ing will be+ verb+ -ing PERFECT (form of have+ -ed/ irregular verb) had+ verb+ -ed/ irregular verb has/ have+ verb+ -ed/ irregular verb will have+ verb -ed/ irregular verb PERFECT CONTINUOUS (form of have+ been+ -ing) had been+ verb -ing has/ have been+ verb+ -ing will have been verb+ -ing ?GOING TO? FUTURE aux. verb ?to be? (present)+ going to+ verb (base form) aux. verb ?to be?: I was am you were are he, she, it was is we were are you were are they were are The auxiliary verb ?to be? needs to be explained as a separate item if necessary. I have written it underneath the table so the required changes for different tenses will be easily visible. To practice and activate the grammar correctly the students can form example sentences for each aspect of the different tenses. Using the above table 1 on an OHP can be a helping tool for the students if they have difficulties using the different tenses. 3. Table 2: Advantages and disadvantages of teaching multiple tenses Teaching multiple tenses can have advantages and disadvantages. In the following table advantages and disadvantages of teaching multiple tenses will be shown. Advantages Disadvantages Good overview over significant changes in tenses and their aspects. Focus might be on too much information all at once. Suitable for students who have already covered every tense individually before. Not suitable for students who learn grammar for the first time. Very good for the practicing and developing fluency in using the tenses in a practical way. Lack of focus and practice of only one particular tense and its aspects. Can be used for study and activate purposes. Might be confusing and overwhelming to some students at first. Different colors help with recognition and memorizing the significant changes in the tenses and their aspects. Needs to be explained by the teacher- can be very time consuming. Good for practice in finding example sentences. If used as an OHTstudents can form sentences as an activation of the language point. It is certainly necessary to teach multiple tenses at some point because in reality tenses are used in combination very often. It is important to know how to recognize and use all of those tenses and their aspects well.
