Showing posts with label Second conditional. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Second conditional. Show all posts

28.4.13

IF YOU WERE ME AND LIVED IN… MEXICO by Carole P. Roman


As explained in the subtitle, A Child's Introduction to Cultures Around the World, this is the first book in a non-fiction collection about life in other countries from a child's perspective. 

The first country to be introduced is Mexico.

The author's main purpose is to give an idea about life and culture in Mexico to young readers: its capital city, language, festivals, monuments, food, etc.

It could be also used as a starting point for elementary school students to do some individual or group research about other countries and it's a good excuse to learn the 'second conditional'.

Grammar and Geography brought together to let the children investigate and appreciate the many cultures that inhabit our planet.

Colorful illustrations and a pronunciation table complete the whole experience.

Don't miss the next issues: France,Turkey, South Korea, Norway and Kenya are on the way!




I design series of activities based on a communicative method that will help children to practice the grammar they're learning at school.

Many ESL activities, I see, are nothing more than 'fill in the blank' exercises that only teach kids how to fill in blanks and miss the whole point of learning to speak and understand a new language.

It's much easier and more fun to learn by doing, and you'll be surprised at how quickly you'll see valuable results!!! 

You can get my activities on my online store:


19.3.13

Writing tip nº 5: WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF…? (2nd Conditional)


This writing technique proposed by Rodari in his 'The Grammar of Fantasy' uses hypotheses to make up stories.

It's quite easy because you only have to randomly choose a subject and a verb, possibly logically disconnected one from another. 

For example: 
bath / fly
toy / speak
cow / give an interview
mountain / walk
Oklahoma City / is surrounded by the sea
candies / rain
Rollerblades / travel through time
etc.

More ideas:

What would happen if a cow was interviewed by Oprah?
What would happen if you could walk on a rainbow?
What would happen if your school was a boat?
What would happen if you could speak Chinese?
What would happen if all the cars in your city couldn't move?
What would happen if you could pop into your favorite program right through your own TV?

Your students can answer the question using their imaginative skills and create really amusing and fun stories.

The more they can talk about their own lives and experiences the more they will be able to enhance their essays.

Actually, why don't you use this writing tip to create an unusual school bulletin? 
It would be challenging and entertaining!

In the picture: What would happen if a glass elevator got into an Earth orbit?
Illustrator: Ashlyn Anstee


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