Aitken categorizes English verb structures systematically, providing a uniform analysis for each tense. A typical chapter breaks down the form, the meaning, the common problems, and practical classroom exercises. The Present Tenses
Framed as the bridge between past action and present consequence. Aitken emphasizes life experiences and recent changes using "just," "already," and "yet."
Focuses on actions happening at the moment of speaking or temporary trends. The book offers excellent guidance on handling "stative verbs" (like know , love , believe ) that generally reject the continuous form. The Past Tenses teaching tenses rosemary aitken pdf
, digital previews and references can often be found on platforms like Internet Archive Teaching Tenses : Aitken, Rosemary - Amazon.com.be
The book offers highly adaptable activity frameworks that can be tailored to various proficiency levels. Present Tenses Aitken emphasizes life experiences and recent changes using
A past action with a direct consequence on the present (e.g., "I've lost my keys, so I can't enter").
Teaching how fixed, confirmed personal arrangements mirror present forms. Practical Classroom Applications and Activities Present Tenses A past action with a direct
To ensure students truly grasp the meaning of a tense, Aitken relies heavily on Concept Check Questions. Instead of asking a vague question like "Do you understand?" , teachers learn to ask precise, binary questions. "I had already eaten when John arrived." CCQ 1: "Did I eat?" (Yes) CCQ 2: "Did John arrive?" (Yes) CCQ 3: "Which action happened first?" (Eating) Structuring a Lesson Using Aitken's Framework
While mechanical repetition has its place, Aitken elevates drills by embedding them in real-world contexts. She suggests using picture prompts, running dictations, and information-gap exercises to ensure that even repetitive practice requires cognitive engagement. Why "Teaching Tenses" Remains Essential for Educators
Here's a sample lesson plan for teaching the Present Simple tense:
Despite being published decades ago, Rosemary Aitken’s insights remain highly relevant in modern communicative language teaching (CLT) ecosystems.