Teaching IB Commentary - Language

IB a written comparative commentary where one or often both passages are non-literary. While the passage sources will be different, commentary and comparative commentary skills are easily learnt. A simple method and accompanying checklist will prove invaluable to teacher and student alike.

Look, see, watch

Similar words, related meanings, widely different uses. How does a teacher show the differences?

Early learners and writing in English

Adult learners in an English class are often eager to begin writing as soon as they star their oral lessons. While younger learners may not have the same urge, often their parents have it for them! So how does the TESOL teacher introduce writing with an early learner which is both appropriate and does no harm?

Prepositions of place and of time

Non-English speakers often struggle with the uses of in / at / on. As soon as they think they have an understanding, they come across something which does not make sense.

English Language and the study thereof

To be honest, English teachers teach three distinct but related subjects: the use of English, the study of English Literature and the study of English Language. Far too frequently, English teachers are prepared in the first two of these, but they have at best a passing knowledge of the third. The study of English language includes dialects, advertising and commercials, the language of power and so on. A knowledge of semantics, sociolinguistics, pyscholinguistics, philology inter alia is invaluable and will unlock English to teacher and student alike.