ASSIGNMENT: LANGUAGE RELATED TASKS
(Words: 750 – 1000)
Part 1 A- Form and Meaning
In the four pairs of sentences below, the speakers are expressing two different meanings (concepts).
Imagine you are trying to show form and meaning as clearly and simply as possible for your learners.
Choose 3 and for each pair of sentences:
• explain/highlight the grammatical form/structure of the underlined language point.
• explain briefly what you think the speakers are trying to express (meaning/use), referring to the context
given.
Example:
(a) When he arrived home, his wife locked the door.
(b) When he arrived home, his wife had locked the door.
Example Verb Form
a)
Past simple
Grammatical Form/Structure
subject + verb + -ed
(regular form)
Meaning /Use
In sentence (a) the event ‘lock’
happened just after the event ‘arrive’.
The past simple is used to express a
completed past action at a specific
time in the past.
b)
subject + had + past participle
In sentence (b), the event ‘lock’
happened before the event ‘arrive’.
The past perfect is used to express a
completed past action at an
unspecified time before another past
event.
Past perfect simple
Sentences:
1.
I saw Paul at the station this morning.
a) Yes, he catches the train every day.
b) Yes, he’s catching the train this week.
2.
Sam: Have you decided what to buy Sue yet?
Jo: a) Yes, I’m going to get her some perfume.
Sam: I don’t think she’d like that.
Jo: b) I’ll get her some wine then.
3.
Witness giving statement to police officer.
(a) I called an ambulance when I saw the accident.
(b) I was calling my wife when I saw the accident.
4.
Why is the picture so bad on your TV?
(a) Oh, it’ll be the aerial again.
(b) Oh, it might be the aerial again.
Part 1A - Form and Meaning:
Please complete this assignment in the spaces provided.
*Remember that the forms and meanings need to be clear for learners.
Verb Form
Grammatical Form/Structure
Meaning /Use
1 (a)
Present Simple
1 (b)
Present Continuous
(progressive)
2 (a)
‘going to’
Future
2 (b)
‘will’
Future
3 (a)
Past Simple
3 (b)
Past Continuous
(progressive)
4 (a)
Modal Verb ‘will’
4 (b)
Modal Verb ‘might’
Part 1B – Pronunciation:
Please complete this assignment in the spaces provided.
Consider pronunciation difficulties that learners might have with any of the example sentences 1-4, and state 3
different problems from 3 different sentences. You must choose from the underlined parts. Consider stress,
difficult sounds (use phonemes to show possible problematic sounds) and how words are linked together.
1.
2.
3.
References used:
I confirm that this is completely my own work.
Name: ______________________
Signature: ______________________
Part 2 - Checking Understanding:
Please complete this assignment in the spaces provided.
Write concept questions for 6 of the bold, underlined language items below (together with their expected
answers), which could be used in order to check students’ understanding. Draw pictures, diagrams or time-lines
where appropriate and remember the basic principles outlined in the concept checking input session. All visuals
should include a ‘task’ to involve the students. See the examples below.
Complete this assignment on the back of this sheet.
Note: You should assume that the teacher has already attempted to illustrate meaning of each language item
through visual or verbal technique (definition, picture, situation, mime, etc.) You are not trying to teach or elicit
the target language item, just check understanding.
1. He’s been a policeman for ten years.
2. He was wearing a helmet.
3. I had my photo taken.
4. Your clothes are filthy!
5. If he’d worked harder, he’d have passed his exams. *(no visuals needed)
6. He travelled around the world on his own.
7. She used to drink coffee.
8. He made up with his girlfriend. *(no visuals needed)
Examples:
Concept Questions & Expected Answers
Timeline, Picture or Diagram
E.g. She called as soon as she arrived home.
1 2

Did she arrive home? (Yes)

Did she call before or after she arrived

Is ‘arrived’ action 1 or 2? (1)
home? (After)

What is action 2? (She called)
When exactly did she call? (Immediately

How long was there between 1 and 2? (A

Past
after)
E.g. The platform was crowded.

Where can you find a ‘platform’? (Station)

What do you do on a platform? (Catch/wait
X X
Now
short time/seconds)
Which ones use a ‘platform’? (train and tube)
for the train)
Assessment Criteria for complete assignment: Part 1 and 2
Candidates can demonstrate their learning by:
a. analysing language correctly for teaching purposes
b. correctly using terminology relating to form, meaning and phonology when analysing language
c. accessing reference materials and referencing information they have learned about language to an
appropriate source
d. using written language that is clear, accurate and appropriate to the task.
Part 2 - Checking Understanding:
Please complete this assignment in the spaces provided.
No.
Concept Questions & Expected Answers
Timeline, Picture or Diagram
References used:
I confirm that this is completely my own work.
Name: ______________________
Signature: ______________________