Basic English Curriculum for Teaching ESL - Grammar

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.

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.

The next page includes the speaking, listening and vocabulary objectives that are central to every curriculum.