: Lessons are broken down into "manageable chunks" to ensure lasting comprehension for learners.
– If you’re writing an essay about Aitken’s approach, I can explain her methodology, the structure of the book, and its practical activities for teaching English tenses (e.g., timelines, concept checking, contrastive teaching).
The Present Perfect (Simple and Continuous) is notoriously difficult because it bridges past actions with present consequences. Aitken breaks this down into distinct communicative functions:
Rosemary Aitken's methodology focuses on helping students develop a deep understanding of the tenses, rather than simply memorizing rules and exceptions. Her approach is built on the following principles: teaching tenses rosemary aitken pdf
The book is available through several educational repositories and digital libraries: Teaching Tenses - Rosemary Aitken | PDF - Scribd
It acts as a safety net, explaining grammar rules in plain English so teachers can walk into the classroom with confidence.
Which do your students struggle with the most? Share public link : Lessons are broken down into "manageable chunks"
Rosemary Aitken, born in 1942 in Cornwall, has had a prolific career as both an educator and author. Her professional life was dedicated to teaching the English language, and she channeled her experiences into writing numerous textbooks and teaching guides, with Teaching Tenses being her standout work on grammar instruction.
by Rosemary Aitken is a staple resource for English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers, particularly those in or TESOL training. It focuses on the practical application of grammar—showing teachers not just how tenses work, but how to present them in a way students can actually grasp. Core Content & Structure
English verb tenses present a major hurdle for language learners. The complexity lies not just in the structures, but in knowing when and why to use them. Rosemary Aitken’s acclaimed ELT resource, Teaching Tenses , addresses this challenge directly. It serves as a comprehensive reference book for both newly qualified and experienced English language teachers. Share public link Rosemary Aitken, born in 1942
One of the most valuable contributions of the book is its emphasis on CCQs. Instead of asking open-ended questions, Aitken provides highly specific, binary questions to verify comprehension. For example, to check the present perfect sentence, "He has gone to Paris," the CCQs would be: "Is he here now?" (No) and "Is he in Paris or on his way?" (Yes). Contextualization
What is the of your students (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced)?
Teaching Tenses helps teachers in several ways. For the , it bridges the gap between intuition and analysis, offering clear lesson ideas and answers to potential questions. The experienced teacher finds it a welcome refresher, especially for challenging areas or as inspiration for new activities. It is also a go-to handbook for non-native EFL teachers , shedding light on the subtle idioms and usages that native speakers take for granted. A typical Amazon review calls it " one of the best, clearest, most concise, helpful tools I own ", while an OnTESOL review notes it provides "thorough language analysis" and helps teachers be prepared for students' questions.
Teaching Tenses: Ideas for Presenting and Practising Tenses in English
