ESL Blogs

The twelve tenses used to differentiate the time of action (verbs) can be taught in an easier approach using the 'clock' method. While all separate quarters of the clock maintain the (3) present, past and future tenses, they can be subdivided into four groups (quarters); the (3) Simple tenses, (3) Continuous tenses, (3) Perfect tenses and (3) Perfect Continuous tenses.

We can then elaborate with examples of sentences for each tense and show students the clear difference between the twelve tenses or the quarters when explaining thoroughly to them. They must know that there's nothing more to the tenses after this, except the proper usage of these. Please provide lots of exercises on these by way of objective and subjective questions, while encouraging them to use them according to their learning levels of English. However, there is no harm in telling primary school kids that there are altogether twelve tenses in the English Language. In fact, their curiosity and readily absorbing minds may lead them to learn them faster than the rest who are not. As a teacher, you could gauge your student's interest in learning English, in this way.

Encourage them to use these difficult tenses in their essays and compliment them when they start using the complex (6 perfect tenses) accurately in their exercises. This may boost their confidence level in writing, as well as in speaking.