What And How To Teach Grammar?

Stuck on Tefl online module 4 How to teach grammar?

• Hey, I am currently doing the TEFL online course but Im really stuck on three parts. I have found this module really hard. This question is for those who have done the course or know it as you have to watch a video and I cant post that. Sorry My questions are "What grammatical structure is being taught?" i think it is the "used to" structure. "How does the teacher make the meaning (i.e. function, concept) of the structure clear?" I have no idea about this one. "How do the students apply the structure to their own lives?" I would really be greatful if someone could help me, I'm really struggling with this module and not much time left to complete it. Thanks

• Answer:

  Without the video segment, it's difficult to answer your questions. I can help you with the "used to" structures, though. Perhaps from that, you can find the answers to your other questions because I don't know if the teacher makes it clear and how the students apply it. First, there are 3 "used to" structures: used to; to get used to; to be used to. "Used to" is always in the past tense, always indicates past tense and is the same structure for all persons. It tells about an action or event that is completed or finished. In general, it does not specify the past time, but makes a general reference to it. In the sentence, "I used to drive a Volkswagen", all you know is that I drove a certain car at some point in the past. The other 2 forms, however, refer to different time frames. "To get used to" can be conjugated in the present, past and future tenses as well as in the progressive and perfect forms, and with modals. "To get used to" generally gives reference to a habit that you learned or a change of habit you are learning. If I say, "I got used to taking the subway", it means that I learned to travel in the subway system of my city. In the present progressive, "I'm getting used to taking the subway", means that I'm learning how to travel in this form of transportation. By changing the tenses, you get different information with respect to time. The verb expression "to be used to" generally signals a habit. It is generally used in the simple present or simple past. It can be used with some modals. The sentence, "I'm used to working alone", tells your listener that you like to work without the assistance of others. Changing it to, "I was used to working alone" means you now work with at least on other person. Note that "used to" is always followed by the base verb (infinitive without 'to') and "to be used to" and "to get used to" are followed by the present participle (-ing form). I hope this sort of short answer helped. Giving you every possible form would take a long time and might not be useful to you for the purpose of the module. Listen (not watch) to the video again. MAybe it will be a little clearer next time.