Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/teaching-verb-tenses-modals
As an English language educator, I’m always on the lookout for resources that can enhance my teaching skills, particularly when it comes to grammar. Coursera’s ‘Strategies for Teaching Perfect Tenses and Modals’ course, the first in the Teach English: Intermediate Grammar specialization, has been an absolute game-changer.
This course dives deep into the often-challenging areas of perfect tenses (present perfect, present perfect progressive, past perfect, and past perfect progressive) and common modal verbs. From the very first module, ‘Teaching Present Perfect Simple Tense,’ I was impressed by the practical, actionable advice. The course doesn’t just explain the grammar; it focuses on *how* to teach it effectively. The syllabus outlines a clear progression, with each week dedicated to a specific grammatical concept. I particularly appreciated the focus on creating engaging activities and the emphasis on ‘teacher talk’ – the language teachers use to explain concepts. The opportunities to practice skills through sample assignments and video demonstrations of teaching techniques were invaluable. Receiving peer feedback on these demonstrations provided a unique and constructive learning experience.
The course structure is logical and builds knowledge progressively. The modules on ‘Teaching Present Perfect Progressive Tense’ and ‘Teaching the Past Perfect and Past Perfect Progressive Tenses’ offered insightful strategies for demystifying these often-confused tenses. The final week, ‘Teaching Modals,’ tackled the complexity of multiple meanings and uses with clarity and provided practical tips for making this topic accessible to learners.
What sets this course apart is its blend of theoretical understanding and practical application. The inclusion of videos and practice activities that can be directly used with students is a significant benefit. For anyone looking to solidify their understanding of intermediate English grammar and, more importantly, learn effective pedagogical approaches to teach these concepts, I wholeheartedly recommend ‘Strategies for Teaching Perfect Tenses and Modals.’ It’s an investment that will undoubtedly pay dividends in your classroom.
Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/teaching-verb-tenses-modals