Some methods in teaching conditional sentences for the tenth form english class at Nguyen Quan Nho high school

THANH HOA DEPARTMENT EDUCATION AND TRAINING
NGUYEN QUAN NHO HIGH SCHOOL
EXPERIENCE INITIATIVE
SOME METHODS IN TEACHING CONDITIONAL SENTENCES FOR THE TENTH FORM ENGLISH CLASS AT NGUYEN QUAN NHO HIGH SCHOOL
Author: Nguyen Thi Chau
Position: Teacher
Experience initiative: English field
 THANH HOA 2017
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 TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Introduction
2
1.1. Rationale
2
1.2. Aims and objectives of the study
2
1.3. The scope of the study
2
1.4. Methods of the study
3
1.5. Design of the study
3
2. Development 
4
2.1. Chapter 1: Theoretical background
4
2.1.1. Conditional sentence type I
4
2.1.2. Conditional sentence type II
5
2.1.3. Conditional sentence type III
6
2.1.4. Mixed conditional sentence type II and III
6
2.2. Chapter 2: Inversions in Conditional Sentences
6
2.3. Chapter 3: The other ways of expression in conditional sentences
7
2.4. Chapter 4: some types of exercise used in Conditional Sentences
8
3.Result after applying the research
11
4. Conclusion
12
5. Exercise
13
References
18
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1. Rationale
 Our society is more and more developing and the process of integration and globalization are taking place more and more quickly. This requires that we have the same language to communicate and work together. It is English that is the most widely used language in the world. It has been used in all spheres such as external activities, world trade, and science Mastering English is advantageous and even compulsory for all of us today. It is therefore necessary to learn English language. To be proficient in English, moreover, the important thing is to master English grammar.
 Conditional sentence is a very important part of English grammar. Learning Modal Verbs is not very interesting. In secondary curriculum Conditional sentence or Conditional clause - If clause is systematically taught in all of grades 10,11,12.Exercises of these conditional clauses can easily found in Language Focus Parts, in structures of GCSE exam, in test of gifted students or IELTS; TOEFL; TOEIC and so on. In addition, using 3 types of conditional sentences in spoken or written English such as: letters, forms, essays or daily communication is very popular. 
 For above-mentioned reasons, I have decided to study Conditional Sentences. 
In my study, I would like to clarify the use of Conditional Sentences as well as all problems involved in this clause and offer and some applications to teaching Conditional Sentences.
1.2. Aims and objectives of the study
This paper sets the aims and objectives as follow: 
- Bring an insight into English Conditional Sentences.
- Give English students or teachers’ deep understanding of Conditional Sentences 
- Point out some mistakes learners may make when using Conditional Sentences.
- Suggest some activities for teaching- learning of Conditional Sentences to make learners understand better and more interested in learning them.
1.3. The scope of the study
 In this paper, because of our limited time and knowledge, I only study concept, types, characteristics, usage and function of Conditional Sentences. I also mention to the inversions and variants of Conditional Sentences and suggest some exercises for upper- secondary school students. 
1.4. Method of the study
I use a combination of different methods
- Collecting materials: Data are taken from various reference books, which related to modal verbs. Information sources are also accessed from Internet.
- Analyzing and synthesizing:
Data are analyzed to choose important information about Conditional sentences. After that, synthesize them.
- Consulting our supervisor and other experienced teachers.
1.5. Design of the study
The study consists of four parts:
1. Introduction
Information about the rationale, aims and objectives, scope, method and design of the study are provided.
2. Development
 This part includes 4 chapters:
 Chapter 1: Theoretical background
 I mention concept, types, characteristics, usages and functions of 4 basic types of Conditional Sentences and variants (if have)
Chapter 2: This chapter is presented with inversions of Conditional Sentences
Chapter 3: The other ways of expression in conditional sentences
Chapter 4: 
I would like to study some types of exercise used in Conditional Sentences and some mistakes learners may make when using them
3.Conclusion
I conclude what I have mentioned in my study paper.
4. Exercises 
2. DEVELOPMENT
2.1. Chapter 1: Theoretical background
2.1.1. Conditional sentence type I
2.1.1.1. Form:
 Clause 1 (the simple future) + if + Clause 2 (the simple present)
 If + Clause 1 (the simple present)+, + Clause 2 (the simple future) 
2.1.1.2. Usage and examples:
 – Describe what might happen in the present or in the future.
 It is possible and also very likely that the condition will be fulfilled.
For example: 
I will visit Ho Chi Minh City if I have time.
If I have time, I will visit Ho Chi Minh City.
2.1.1.3.Basic variations:
 – Express objective possibility
 Clause 1 (might/do +V) + if + Clause 2 (the simple present)
If + Clause 1 (the simple present) +, + Clause 2 (might/do +V) 
For example: It's sunny. We may get a headache if we go out without a hat.
	 It's sunny. If we go out without a hat, we may get a headache. 
 – Express permission
 Clause 1 (may/can + V) + if + Clause 2 (the simple present)
 Clause 1 (the simple present) +, + Clause 2 (may/can + V) 
For example: You can go home now if you finish your test.
 If you finish your test, you can go home now.
 – Express request, proposal
Clause 1 (must/should + V) + if + Clause 2 (the simple present)
 If + Clause 1 (the simple present) +, + Clause 2 (must/should + V) 
For example: You must do the exercises if you want to get good marks.
	 If you want to get good marks, you must do the exercises. 
2.1.2. Conditional sentence type II
2.1.2.1. Form:
 Clause 1 (would + V) + if + Clause 2 (the simple past tense)
 If + Clause 1 (the simple past tense) +, + Clause 2 (would + V)
2.1.2.2. Usage and examples:
– Describe what is unreal in the present.
It is possible but very unlikely, that the condition will be fulfilled.
For examples:
If it were cold now, we wouldn't turn on the fans.
We wouldn't turn on the fans, if it were cold now.
(But it is hot and we have to turn on the fans.)
He would fly if he were a bird. 
If he were a bird, he would fly.
(But he isn't a bird and he can’t fly at all.)
 Note: According to traditional grammar we use “were” in all types of subject. Nowadays “was” is also used with he, she, it, I, and singular subjects.
2.1.2.3.Basic variations:
– Express possibility 
Clause 1 (might/ could + V) + if + Clause 2 (the simple past tense)
If + Clause 1 (the simple past tense) +, + Clause 2 (might/ could + V) 
For example: 
- He might succeed in his job if he tried.
	 If he tried, he might succeed in his job.
- My father could speak Spanish well if he lived in Spain.
 If my father lived in Spain, he could speak Spanish well.
2.1.3. Conditional sentence type III
2.1.3.1.Form:
Clause 1 (would have + Past part...) + if + Clause 2 (the past perfect)
If + Clause 1 (the past perfect) +, + Clause 2 (would have + Past part...) 
2.1.3.2.Usage and examples:
 – Describe what was unreal in the past.
 It is impossible that the condition will be fulfilled because it refers to the past.
For example: 
a. Miss Phuong wouldn't have won the first prize if she hadn't attended the beauty contest.
If Miss Phuong hadn't attended the beauty contest, she wouldn't have won the first prize. 
(But the fact that she attended and she won the first prize.)
b. We would have got good marks if we had prepared our last lessons carefully.
If we had prepared our last lessons carefully, we would have got good marks. 
(But the fact that we didn’t prepare our last lessons carefully and we didn’t get good marks at all.)
2.1.3.3.Basic variations:
Express subjectivity, permission
Clause 1 (could have + Past part...) + if + Clause 2 (had + Past part...) 
If + Clause 1 (had + Past part...) +, + Clause 2 (could have + Past part...) 
For examples: 
- I could have won a prize if I had taken part in the competition last week.
 If I had taken part in the competition last week, I could have won a prize. 
- You could have gone to the cinema if you had finished your homework last night.
 If you had finished your homework last night, you could have gone to the cinema. 
 - Express objective possibility
Clause 1 (might have + Past part...) + if + Clause 2 (had + Past part...) 
If + Clause 1 (had + Past part...) +, + Clause 2 (might have + Past part...) 
For examples: 
The last crop might have been better if it had rained much.
	If it had rained much, the last crop might have been better.
2.1.4. Mixed conditional sentence type II and III
2.1.4.1. Form:
Clause 1 (would + V) + if + Clause 2 (had + Past part...) 
If + Clause 1 (had + Past part...) +, + Clause 2 (would + V) 
2.1.4.2. Usage and examples
 - Describe a condition which was unreal in the past and a result which is unreal in the present
 For examples:
- If I had not stayed up late last night, I would not feel sleepy now.
I would not feel sleepy now If I had not stayed up late last night. 
(The fact that I stayed up late last night, so I feel sleepy now.)
- If I had followed your advice, I would have a job now.
I would have a job now if I had followed your advice.
(The fact that I didn’t follow your advice, so I don’t have a job now.)
2.2. Chapter 2: Inversions in Conditional Sentences
2.2.1. Conditional sentence type I
- Place “should” at the beginning of the sentence if it contains “should” 
EX: 
 If he should ring, I will tell him the news.
→ Should he ring, I will tell him the news.
- Borrow “should” to place at the beginning of the sentence if it doesn’t contain “should”
EX:
 If I have a lot of free time, I'll play tennis.
→ Should I have a lot of free time, I'll play tennis.
EX: 
If she comes early, we'll start.
→ Should she come early, we'll start.
2.2.2. Conditional sentence type II
- Place “were” at the beginning of the sentence if it contains “were”
EX: 
If I were a bird, I would fly.
→ Were I a bird, I would fly.
EX: 
They would answer me if they were here.
→ Were they here, they would answer me.
- Borrow “were” to place at the beginning of the sentence and change the form of verb into “to infinitive” if it doesn’t contain “were”
 EX: 
If I learnt Japan, I would read Japanese books.
→ Were I to learn Japan, I would read Japanese books.
 EX: 
 If they lived in Australia now, they would visit the Opera House.
→ Were they to live in Australia now, they would visit the Opera House.
2.2.3. Conditional sentence type III
- Place “had” at the beginning of the sentence.
 EX: 
 If it had rained yesterday, we would have stayed at home.
→ Had it rained yesterday, we would have stayed at home.
EX:
 If he had trained hard, he would have won the match.
→ Had he trained hard, he would have won the match.
Note: In the negative form, “not” is placed after subject
 EX: 
 Had it not been so late, we would have called you.
2.3. Chapter 3: Other ways of expressions in Conditional Sentences
2.3.1. Unless
- When conditional clause expresses negative meaning, we can replace it by a clause beginning with “unless”.
Unless......... = If........... not
For example:
	+ I won't go out if I don't have a raincoat.
 → I won't go out unless I have a raincoat.
+ If I am not free, I won't go to the match.
→ Unless I am free, I won't go to the match.
2.3.2. Suppose/Supposing
For example:
	+ Suppose the news is true.
	+ Supposing it rains, what will you do ?
2.3.3. Provided (that)/ Providing (that)
For example:
	+ I’ll accept your invitation provided you go with me.
2.3.4. Assuming
For example:
	+ Assuming we have good weather, we shall be there by dusk.
2.3.5. Without
For example:
	+ Without his books, he would know nothing.
2.3.6. On condition that
For example:
	+ I shall go on condition that you go with me.
2.3.7. But for = “ If it were not for / If it hadn’t been for”: 
For example:
	+ My father pays my fee. But for that I wouldn’t be here.
2.3.8. Otherwise = Or = “ If this doesn’t happen / didn’t happen / hadn’t happened”
For example:
	+ We must be back before midnight; otherwise we’ll be locked out.
	= We must be back before midnight or we’ll be locked out.
	= If we are not back by midnight we’ll be locked out.
2.4. Chapter 4: some types of exercise used in Conditional Sentences and some mistakes learners may make when using them
2.4.1. Verb form
- In order to do exercises in this form, we have to base on one clause (if- clause or main clause ) which contains the correct form of verb
EX: 
If I had a lot of money, I (buy) a new car
→ would buy (we can see that If- clause contains “had”. It means that this sentence belongs to conditional sentence type 2, so the answer is “would buy”)
- However, the sentences where the correct forms of verbs in both clauses are required, we need to consider whether the real situations are in the present or in the past to use appropriate conditional sentences
EX: 
If I (not stay) up late last night, I (not feel) sleepy now
→hadn’t stayed/wouldn’t sleep (We can see that If- clause contains adverb “last night” which is in the past and main -clause contains adverb “now” which is in the present. It appears that this sentence belongs to mixed conditional sentence, so the correct answers are “hadn’t stayed/wouldn’t sleep”
2.4.2. Sentence transformation 
2.4.2.1. But for/without + noun + conditional sentences type II, III:
- We can use “ If it weren’t for + noun” instead of “ but for/without” in conditional sentence type 2 and “ If it hadn’t been for + noun” instead of “ but for/without” in conditional sentence type 3
EX1:
You help me every day so I can finish my work.
→ But for/without your daily help, I couldn't finish my work.
→ If it weren't for your daily help, I couldn't finish my work.
 EX 2:
 She encouraged him and he succeeded.
 → But for/without her encouragement, he wouldn’t have succeeded.
 EX 3:
 The teacher explained and we understood the matter.
 → But for/without the teacher's explanation, we wouldn't have understood the matter.
2.4.2.2. Rewriting sentences from “ Or, otherwise” sentences using “ if “
 The structure of this form is: 
“ command form + or/ otherwise + S will+ bare infinitive”
We transfer sentences by writing: 
“ If you don’t + bare infinitive, S will+ bare infinitive” (omit “or/otherwise”)
EX: 
 Hurry up, or you will be late. 
→ If you don't hurry, you will be late.
 2.3. If . not= Unless
- In case “if-clause” is in negative form, change it into affirmative form
- In case “ if -clause” is in affirmative form, change “ main-clause” into contrary form
EX:
- I won't visit you if I don't have time
→ Unless I have time, I won’t visit you.
- We'll go swimming if the weather is fine.
→ Unless the weather is fine, we won't go swimming.
 - If you don't attend the lecture, you can't say you understand it. 
→ Unless you attend the lecture, you can't say you understand it. 
Note: “unless” clauses mustn’t use negative forms.
 Ex: I will go out tonight unless I don’t have so much work to do (FALSE)
 2.4.2.3. Sentence transformation bases on real situations
- If the reason and consequence is in the present, we use conditional sentence type2 to rewrite sentences
EX:
 It rains, so we don’t go camping
→If it didn’t rain, we would go camping
- If the reason and consequence was in the past, we use conditional sentence type 3 to rewrite sentences
EX: 
 It rained yesterday, so we didn’t go camping
→If it hadn’t rained yesterday, we would have gone camping
- If the reason is in the present and consequence was in the past, we use mixed conditional sentences to rewrite sentences
EX:
 I didn’t have breakfast this morning, so I feel hungry now
→If I had had breakfast this morning, I wouldn’t feel hungry now
Note: 
- Real situation and if-clause have opposite meanings 
- Students often make mistakes in using mixed conditional sentences to rewrite sentences. Therefore students need to consider the verb forms of sentences in real situations carefully
 3. RESULT AFTER APPLYING THE RESEARCH 
My students’ knowledge of conditional sentences has been considerably improved since I applied this research for my teaching at Nguyen Quan Nho high school.They become creative and active in developing their grammatical abilities. They can solve forms of exercise involved conditional sentences quickly and correctly
I didn’t use these applications when I taught class 10A3 in 2014-2015 school year. Therefore, a number of students who master this skill are not very high. However, using some applications in 2016-2017 when I taught class 10A1 has brought significant effect on improving students’ grammatical ability, I asked my students to do a mini - grammatical test about conditional sentences. The result is very high.
The result at the end of school year 2014- 2015
 (not applied the research)
Grade
Number of
Student
Mark (from 8 to 10)
Mark (from 6.5 to 7.9)
Mark (from 5 to 6.4)
Mark (from 3.5 to 4.9)
Mark (from 0 to 3.4)
SL
TL
SL
TL
SL
TL
SL
TL
SL
TL
10A3
 41
2
5 %
9
22,5 %
16
40%
8
20 %
5
12,5 %
 The result at the end of school year 2016- 2017
(applied the research)
Grade
Number of
Student
Mark (from 8 to 10)
Mark (from 6.5 to 7.9)
Mark (from 5 to 6.4)
Mark (from 3.5 to 4.9)
Mark (from 0 to 3.4)
SL
TL
SL
TL
SL
TL
SL
TL
SL
TL
10A1
 41
7
17,5 %
12
29 %
15
36.5 %
4
9,5 %
3
7,5 %
 4. CONCLUSION
 In order to use English correctly and fluently, we should learn the basic rules of English grammar. English grammar in general and Conditional Sentences in particular is very complicated. Learners often have trouble solving exercises about English grammar. Furthermore, learning English does not mean just learning English grammar. Only when learners use English to communicate fluently can they really master it. Learning English grammar is difficult but using English proficiently is much harder. I have studied some basic theories of Conditional sentences and introduced some types of exercises about them with the aim of helping English teacher and students find it easier to use Conditional sentences
 In this study paper, first of all I have mentioned theoretical background of Conditional sentences including the notion, characteristics, usage and the basic variants of Conditional sentences. I also anticipate mistakes that learners may make when using Conditional sentences and suggest some solutions to them. In addition, I have focused on inversion of Conditional sentences, which is one of the most important parts popularly used in exams. Lastly, I suggest some types of typical exercises about Conditional sentences to help students understand them more clearly
 I am sure that teachers and learners will greatly benefit from my study. They can find it easy to learn Conditional Sentences. Nevertheless because of the limitation of knowledge, time and materials for my study that this study may include some mistakes and limitation is unavoidable.
 This is my first study and I have tried my best to complete it thanks to much enthusiastic help and encouragement from other teachers as well as my friends. I hope that my study paper will get as many comments and suggestions as possible in order that it will become the most useful and perfect material for students and teachers in learning and teaching Conditional Sentences.
5. EXERCISE
Some types of exercise about conditional sentences	
Exercise 1: Put the verbs in brackets into the correct forms of Conditional Sentences
1. Bring him another if he (not/like)............................ this one.
2. She (be)................... angry if she (hear)............................ this tom