All articles by Scott Thornbury
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Article
Grammar: have got
Scott Thornbury explains how 'have got' came to have its modern meaning and usage.
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Article
Awareness, appropriation and autonomy
In this article from the archives of English Teaching professional magazine, Scott Thornbury says that learning how to speak is as important as learning what to say.
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Article
Methodology: Coherence and cohesion
Can a cohesive text be incoherent? Is coherence subjective? Scott Thornbury takes a look at the difference between coherence and cohesion and suggests some practical ways that we can teach both in an EFL context.
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ArticleGrammar contrasts 2: past simple vs present perfect
An article explaining the difference between the present perfect and past simple tenses.
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ArticleVocabulary: 2000 most common words
A discussion about teaching the 2000 most common English words.
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Article
Grammar contrasts 3: will vs going to
An article explaining the difference between will and going to when talking about the future.
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ArticleMethodology: absolute beginners
An article offering suggestions and advice on teaching absolute beginners.
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Article
Minimal resources: Simple activities
These simple activities use minimal resources and can be used in any part of a lesson. They are easy to adapt (according to the class level and language point being taught) and can be used with other activities to form a full lesson, or as a 'filler' if you have ...
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Article
Grammar: stance markers and adverbials
An article giving examples and explaining the usage of stance markers and adverbials.
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Article
Grammar: affixes
An article offering advice and suggestions on how to teach affixes in a contextualized way.
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Article
Methodology: the natural approach
Practical advice on The Natural Approach and how to use it in the ELT classroom.
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Article
Methodology: beginners in company
Advice and suggestions of how to begin a Business English course.
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Article
Minimal resources: Building dialogue
Scott Thornbury gives us some great tips and ideas for building dialogue in speaking activities.
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Article
Grammar: two-syllable comparatives
An article discussing the usage of comparative and superlative forms of two-syllable adjectives.
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Article
Vocabulary: concord: my favourite fruit is/ are....
An explanation and advice on teaching subject - verb agreement.
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Article
Methodology: dealing with shy students
An article offering advice on how to deal with shy students.
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Article
Debate: The end of reading? - Part one: What are we teaching, reading or English?
Scott Thornbury questions the relevance of reading activities and whether they just teach us what we already know.