The Subjunctive mood = VERBS WITH ''That''.

So, I have had a request from a student, Nathalie would like to know what the mystical ‘’yodafied’’ language is; that we at times use in more formal speech or writing.

Her request :

‘’Could you explain when we need to use "That"? For example, "I have received the following request. Could you confirm that I can approve it?" Do I need to use "that" or not?’’

How about: Could you confirm that it be approved? 

The verb '' To confirm'', is both transitive < Obj > and intransitive < No Obj > - meaning, you can use ''confirm'' with or without an object.

Examples: Could you confirm + the approval. I would like to approve the following request -Could you please + confirm? or Could you confirm + that + I (should) approve + it.

LET’S DELVE INTO A SOMEWHAT BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE SUBJUNCTIVE MOOD !

We use the magical subjunctive if expressing a sense of urgency or importance – such as requesting permission or making a suggestion:

Examples:

I recommend that he study his grammar regularly. ( Note that we drop the ‘’s’’ or ‘’es’’ when using the subjunctive in the third person.)

The teacher suggests that we be focused when listening to explanations. ( Advice/ A desire that the teacher has. Note the use of ‘’be’’ when using the subjunctive in the present tense.)

I wish I were you/ I wish I were happier (Subjunctive hypothetical ( unreal possibility.) - used in the second conditional.)

I propose that we eat earlier. ( Doubtfully going to happen / just a suggestion.)

FORM: subject + suggest/propose/confirm/recommend + (that) + subject + subjunctive

Three true forms : all the better to remember : 

1. I suggest that you  + ask + Bernadette > Suggest that someone do something

2. I suggest reading more books! > Suggest doing something

3. I suggest a visit to South Africa - it is amazing here ! > Suggest something

Use the subjunctive - which is a part of grammar used after or with certain verbs:

Advise, ask, command, demand, desire, recommend, suggest, urge, confirm, pray, propose + that …

NOTA BENE: The subjunctive, when used with the third-person form of the verb - the ‑s is omitted/ not included.  AGAIN: When using the verb to be in the subjunctive, the present tense is be, and the past tense is were.

EXAMPLES:

‘’If I were you – I would ask more questions in class!’’

‘’ He proposed that she be quiet while listening to the teacher!’’

‘’It is suggested that he/she/ it use the subjunctive correctly.’’

‘’I recommend that you eat healthily. ‘’

‘’Could you confirm that I can approve the request?’’

The Subjunctive is used after the following expressions: ( ‘’THAT’’ is in parentheses because it is OPTIONAL ! No, you do not need it – YES, it sounds very strange – though, that is crazy English as it stands ! )

It is best (that) ( she confirm the approval.)

It is essential (that) ( we confirm the application approval.)

It is urgent (that) ( you confirm the meeting.)

It is vital (that) ( the approval be confirmed.)

It is a good idea (that) (we approve this.)

It is a bad idea (that)

It is imperative (that)

It is important (that)

It is recommended (that)

It is crucial (that)

It is desirable (that)

VOILA ! I do hope +  that + you found this post of help!

Interview with ELF English about teaching children AND my introductory video / written introduction :

Bernadette Is a TEFL Bernadette certified teacher from Port Elizabeth, South Africa. 
Bernadette has a wealth of experience, due to working for various online companies where she won the award for Private lessons three years in a row. She is certainly a most passionate and unique teacher, having worked in the field of education since 2010, where she started off with teaching child art. After earning her TEFL qualification in 2011 - she decided to move into the field of Teaching English as a Foreign language, full-time.
Bernadette has a special flair for communication, utilizing an eclectic methodology - her approach to pedagogy is related to student’s needs - whether it be task based activities with a communicative approach, Grammar orientated sessions, General conversational strategies or Pronunciation and elocution lessons.


Motivation and bolstering confidence, is a key aspect in her classroom, as is encouraging a positive self-evaluation. Bernadette has had tremendous success in preparing students ahead of the TOEIC, TOEFL and IELTS exams. She has worked with Business students, preparing them ahead of presentations, meetings and related Business topics- Telephoning, Negotiations and Business Correspondence. Her aim is to provide lessons in a comfortable and caring environment - she has a love for people, the creative arts - especially painting in oils, music as a medium for learning and helping students attain realistic goals.


What resources do you use while teaching children via skype? 

I enjoy using a variety of tools and resources, much like what is used with my adult students - we all need motivation and a nurtured interest when it comes to language learning - colours and pictures are necessary, even for adult students! I generally stick to using power point, to keep lessons structured, whilst utilizing the eclectic methodology alongside of the PPP method - Presentation, Production, Practice. Is to observe To learn.
The key is to make sure that your presentation is interactive and eye - catching! This will help younger students stay focused

How do you keep children motivated and interested?

Be passionate as a teacher! Make lessons interesting - I base lessons on everything from expressing feelings through to describing food and activities / learning songs. One has to discover what the interests of the child really are and how you are going to feed those. I do believe that reviewing past materials, is essential to a child's progress. It's not necessarily about what has been covered in class nor the amount, however it is what the child is able to do after instruction and the prior mentioned repetition.


"If they can not learn the way we teach, we teach the way they learn" 
- O. Ivar Lovaas

I must say that always including hand actions and suitable body language aided by pictures and melody, maximize the chances of remembering vocabulary and more. The key is to keep children entertained - the best way in which to do so, is to think like a child. Children are easy to motivate once they become accustomed to you - building trust and keeping up with a playful attitude goes a long way when motivating children.

What are some of the difficulties for children learning via Skype?

I find that concentration is a challenge for children of all ages - so keeping instructions relatively short and simple is essential to productivity. We have to bear in mind that students at this age do find it difficult to maintain attention for too long or to recall lengthy instructions. Computer literacy at a very young age is ever - improving, all the same - a teacher needs to be prepared to take control of the session through screen sharing and use of a multitude of tools to make sessions interactive and easily accessible. Videos, colours, flash cards and voice modulation all play a role in teaching children effectively.

LOOK, SEE AND WATCH !

Happy New Year, darling students !

I thought we could start the new year with a blog post on some commonly confused words. This post was inspired by my dear student, Marina – we shared a session about this topic a few days ago.

I think that I did mention to her that I most often hear mistakes when students use the following words: Look, See and watch :

Do you know the difference between see, look at, and watch? Do you catch yourself making the same mistakes time and time again?

Let’s fix that !

See is a sense, something we refer to as an inactive word. Imagine yourself lying in bed -  when you open your eyes and notice items round you, you do it without thinking.

Example - I see my yellow curtains, I can see the bed, I can see my guitar , a chest of drawers, apples, a microwave and I can see my floor ! ( I do not need to concentrate! )

Look at, involves concentration – you have to direct your attention to what you want to observe - it is an active word. You must want to do it.

Example - Look at the computer screen. Look at the pdf I sent you – focus on it.

When we use look with an object, we say look + at + object, for example: Look at the sky ! Look at how pretty the sky is ! Look at the gorgeous South African mountains.

Watch is a tad more interesting, we think of things that move! It is also an active word. Some typical things that we watch are : Television, movies/ films, videos, a show, a play etc.

We watch things that are going to move, or change in some way. And we watch the movements and changes.

Example- Let's watch television. Watch the children – they are playing in the garden. Watch coral the cat running - she looks so funny!

Would you like to practice using these words? Schedule a lesson with me !