To avoid asking the futile question, "Do you understand?", Aitken teaches educators how to formulate targeted Concept Check Questions (CCQs). For example, for the sentence, "He has gone to Paris," the CCQs would be: Is he in Paris now? (Yes) Is he here? (No) Contextualized Drills
Just let me know which of these would help you most, and I’ll provide the support you need for your essay.
Coverage of complex structures beyond simple tenses.
Navigating the Challenges of English Grammar: A Deep Dive into Teaching Tenses by Rosemary Aitken teaching tenses rosemary aitken pdf
How the tense sounds in spoken English. She highlights contractions, weak forms, and natural sentence stress (e.g., how "have" reduces to /əv/ in the Present Perfect).
Aitken meticulously separates how a tense is structurally built (form) from what it is actually used to communicate in real life (function). For example, while the Present Continuous is commonly taught as "something happening right now," Aitken details how its function extends to future arrangements and temporary states. 2. Concept Questions (CCQs)
A past action with a direct consequence on the present (e.g., "I've lost my keys, so I can't enter"). To avoid asking the futile question, "Do you understand
Aitken introduces a visual system for drawing timelines on whiteboards that is unmatched in its clarity. Students see the difference between "I worked" (a closed block in the past) and "I have worked" (a line extending to the present) instantly.
Each chapter in the book follows a strict, logical layout to help teachers find information during lesson planning.
– Many editions include reproducible worksheets and flashcards, making it a practical “pick up and use” resource. (No) Contextualized Drills Just let me know which
Aitken’s book, originally published in 1991 and reprinted frequently since, focuses on bridging this exact gap. It is written directly for teachers—particularly those in TESOL training or those looking to refine their instructional delivery. The methodology shifts the focus away from rote memorization and toward meaningful communication. Core Components of the Book
Aitken, R. (n.d.). Teaching Tenses. (Pdf)