Basic English Curriculum for Teaching

The follow grammar points will provide students with a solid base to build their English speaking and comprehension skills. Specific points are included in notes for the various grammar points.

Page 1
Page 2

Page 1

Present Simple / Present Continuous (Present Progressive)

Note: Contrast between habits and temporary actions

Past Simple

Past Continuous

Note: Focus on use with the past simple to describe 'interrupted actions' in the past

Present Perfect

Note: focus on use of present perfect for unfinished time - i.e. the duration form. Focus should also include adverbs commonly used with the present perfect: since, for, just, already, yet

Future with 'Will'

Note: Contrast this form with future intentions form - i.e. future with 'going to'

Future with 'Going to'

Note: Contrast this form with future predictions form - i.e. future with 'will'

Present Continuous (Present Progressive)

Note: Use for future intentions and plans, discuss similarities to future with 'going to'

First Conditional (Real Conditional)

Note: Used for probable or realistic situations

Modal Verbs of Deduction Note: Use of 'must be', 'might be' and 'can't be' use in the present

Some - Any

Note: Call to attention the irregular use of some in requests and offers

Quantifiers

Note: too, enough, a lot of, a few, much, many (in question and negative forms), etc.

Prepositions of Place

Note: in front of, opposite, behind, between, across, etc.

Prepositions of Movement

Note: straight on, on your right, past the house, into, out of, etc.

Common Phrasal Verbs

Note: get on with, look after, fed up with, put off, make up, etc.

Verb + Gerund

Note: like doing, enjoy doing, go swimming, etc.

Verb + Infinitive

Note: hope to do, want to do, manage to do, etc.

Basic Verb and Preposition Combinations

Note: listen to, arrive at, go through, etc.

Comparatives & Superlatives

Note: taller than, more beautiful than, as tall as, happier than, the tallest, the most difficult, etc.

Page 2

Listening Skills

Listening skills should include the ability to understand and act on basic information in the following situations:

Personal Information: Name, Address, Telephone #., Nationality Etc.
Telling the Time
Numbers, Cardinal and Ordinal
Simple Directions and Prepositions of Place
Spelling
Simple Descriptions of People and Places

Vocabulary

Descriptions of people: looks and character, the family
Food drink and restaurants
Likes and dislikes
The home, rooms, furniture
Town & country
Shops and shopping
The weather
Time, the seasons, months, weeks, days etc.
Films and television
Leisure and interests
Holidays - travel - hotels

Language Functions

Language functions concern "chunks of language" which provide essential phrases for everyday use.

Introductions and greetings: How do you do? / Pleased to meet you. / How are you? , etc.
Asking for information: How do you spell ____? / How do you pronounce? / Where is the nearest bank? / What does "X" mean?, etc.
Offering: Can I help you? / Would you like some ...? etc.
Requesting: May I have a coffee? / Could you help me? etc.
Inviting: Would you like to come with me?
Suggesting: Shall we go out this evening? / Let's have some lunch. / Why don't we play some tennis? etc.
Asking for descriptions: What is he like? / What does it look like? etc.
Buying and selling: Which size are you? / How much does it cost? etc.
Asking for directions: Excuse me, where is the train station? / Where is the nearest bank? etc.
The language of travel: Hotels, restaurants, trains and planes, etc.
Giving advice: You should see a doctor / I think he should work harder. etc.

By Kenneth Beare, About.com Guide

Main menu

Lesson plan

Teaching Methodology

Classroom games