Advanced Grammar Review: participle clauses, subjunctive moodAdvanced Grammar Review:

Here’s an advanced ESL lesson focusing on refining grammar skills through an in-depth review of complex structures and error correction techniques:

Grammar Polishing: Refining Complex Structures and Self-Editing

Introduction:

Welcome back, grammar virtuosos! Today, we’ll embark on a journey to polish our advanced grammar skills. We’ll delve into intricate structures like participle clauses and the subjunctive mood, while also honing our self-editing abilities to ensure our writing is clear, concise, and error-free.

Part 1: Participle Clauses – Adding Depth and Detail

• Participle Clauses: Clauses that begin with a present participle (verb + -ing) or past participle (verb + -ed/-en) and function as adjectives.
• Types:
  • Present Participle Clause: The man running down the street is my neighbor.
  • Past Participle Clause: The book written by J.K. Rowling is a bestseller.

Activity: Participle Clause Practice

• Combine the following sentences using participle clauses:

1. The girl is wearing a red dress. She is my sister.
2. The car was parked in the driveway. It was damaged in the storm.

Part 2: The Subjunctive Mood – Expressing Wishes and Possibilities

• Subjunctive Mood: A verb mood used to express hypothetical or non-factual situations, wishes, demands, or suggestions.
• Forms:
  • Present Subjunctive: It is important that he arrive on time.
  • Past Subjunctive: I wish I were on vacation.

Activity: Subjunctive Scenarios

• Complete the following sentences using the correct subjunctive form of the verb:

1. The doctor recommended that she _____ (take) vitamins.
2. If I _____ (be) you, I would accept the job offer.

Part 3: Error Correction and Self-Editing – Refining Your Craft

• Common Grammar Errors:
  • Subject-verb agreement
  • Verb tense consistency
  • Article usage
  • Preposition choice
  • Pronoun reference
• Self-Editing Strategies:
  • Read your work aloud to catch errors in flow and clarity.
  • Use a checklist of common grammar errors to guide your review.
  • Break down complex sentences into simpler ones to check for accuracy.
  • Get feedback from a peer or instructor.

Activity: Editing Challenge

• I’ll provide a short paragraph with intentional grammar errors.
• Work in pairs to identify and correct the errors.
• Discuss your corrections as a class.

Wrap-up:

• By mastering complex grammar structures and honing our self-editing skills, we can elevate our writing to a professional level.
• Remember, practice makes perfect! The more you write and edit, the more confident you’ll become in your grammar abilities.

Homework:

• Choose a piece of writing you’ve recently completed.
• Review it carefully for errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
• Revise and edit your work to improve its clarity and accuracy.

Additional Tips for Teachers:

• Provide ample examples and exercises for students to practice with complex grammar structures.
• Offer targeted feedback on individual writing samples.
• Encourage students to use online grammar resources and style guides for reference.