All articles by Jonathan Marks

Article

Pronunciation skills: Syllabic l

This lesson practises the pronunciation of syllabic l. It occurs in many words with the spelling ‘consonant + le’, and also when the contraction ‘ll occurs after a consonant sound, as in that’ll do. 

Article

Pronunciation skills: Stress in compound nouns

This lesson focuses on stress patterns in compound nouns. Students form compounds to fit definitions then practise them by asking questions.

Article

Pronunciation skills: Adverbs of frequency

Adverbs of frequency such as always and sometimes are a familiar teaching point. This lesson by Jonathan Marks practises some of these phrases with a particular focus on their stress patterns.

Article

Pronunciation skills: Sound and spelling

This lesson plan by Jonathan Marks focuses on homographs and homophones, as well as other pairs of words whose pronunciation learners tend to find confusing.

Article

Assimilation and elision

This comprehensive article by Jonathan Marks explains the most common types of assimilation and elision.

Article

Grammar: mood and modality 2

Jonathan Marks explains the difference between mood and modality.

Article

Grammar: mood and modality 1

Jonathan Marks explains the difference between mood and modality.

Article

Grammar: passives

Some advice and suggestions for practising the passive in a conversation class.

Article

Pronunciation skills: Who does what?

Jonathan Marks offers a pronunciation activity, with a helpful key for teachers, that focuses on pronouncing stress in compound nouns.

Article

Pronunciation skills: syllables

Focus on pronouncing syllables in words.

Article

Methodology: teaching pronunciation

Advice and suggestions on how to teach pronunciation, in particular 'dark l'.

Article

Vocabulary: teaching make and do

Advice and teaching suggestions of how to overcome the confusion between 'make' and 'do.'

Article

Methodology: new ways to teach listening

Practical suggestions of new ways to teach listening.

Article

Lesson Share: Spelling: Spelling test

A handy activity to revise previous spelling errors.

Article

Methodology: teaching pronunciation: l and r

Advice an suggestions of how to help students overcome the confusion in pronunciation between L and R.

Article

Lesson Share: Pictures: Musical involvement

A short activity using music which prompts discussion.

Article

Methodology: teaching intonation with Japanese students

Advice and suggestions on how to teach intonation with Japanese students.

Article

Lesson Share: Pictures: Musical interviews

A warmer involving music and role play.

Article

Pronunciation skills: How many syllables?

This lesson by Jonathan Marks focuses on plural nouns and 3rd person singular verbs which are spelt with the ending -es. It helps students to develop an awareness of when this ending represents an additional syllable (e.g. age / ages) and when it doesn't (e.g. behave / behaves).

Article

Methodology: the grammar translation method

A discussion on the use of the grammar translation method in English teaching.