All articles by Jonathan Marks

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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. 

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Assimilation and elision

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

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Grammar: mood and modality 1

Jonathan Marks explains the difference between mood and modality.

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Grammar: mood and modality 2

Jonathan Marks explains the difference between mood and modality.

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Grammar: passives

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

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Vocabulary: exercise 1 - make and do

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

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Vocabulary: exercise 2 - make and do

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

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Vocabulary: exercise 3 - make and do

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

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Vocabulary: exercise 4 - make and do

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

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Vocabulary: exercise 5 - make and do

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

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Vocabulary: exercise 6 - make and do

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

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Lesson Share: Grammar activities: Can do / can't do

An activity that is likely to lead to disagreement and discussion!

Lesson

Professional development: adapting your language for the learner

Advice on how to adapt your language for the learner.

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Methodology: seating arrangements

Advice and suggestions of how to overcome the problem of restricted seating arrangements.

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Grammar: differences between could and can

An article discussing the differences between could and can when expressing possibility.

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Pronunciation skills: what is it called?

Focus on pronouncing stress patterns in compound nouns.

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Lesson Share: Pictures: The character of music

A fun activity in which students pair up pieces of music with adjectives.