Some skills to do exercises on conditional (for weak students)

SỞ GIÁO DỤC VÀ ĐÀO TẠO THANH HOÁ 
TRƯỜNG THPT TRIỆU SƠN 6
SÁNG KIẾN KINH NGHIỆM
SOME SKILLS TO DO EXERCISES ON CONDITIONAL 
(FOR WEAK STUDENTS)
Người thực hiện: Nguyễn Hiếu Thảo
Chức vụ: Giáo viên
SKKN thuộc lĩnh mực (môn): Tiếng Anh
THANH HOÁ NĂM 2016
INDEX
Content
Page
I. The openning
1. The reasons for choosing topics
2. Research objectives
3. Research subjects
4. Research methodology
II. Content
1. Background theory:
2. Real situation before applying the experience idea :
3. Some skills to do exercises on conditional sentences (for weak students)
3.1. Grammar
3.1.1. Conditional sentence : type 1 
3.1.2. Conditional sentence : type 2 
3.1.3. Conditional sentence : type 3 
3.2. Some skills to do exercises on conditional sentences
3.2.1. The first type: Give correct form of the verbs in brackets 
3.2.2. The second type: .Rewrite the sentences by using conditional 
4. Effectiveness of teaching experience initiatives for educational activities , with myself, my colleagues and my school.
III. Conclusion
1. Experience Lessons:
2. Recommendation:
IV. Reference
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I. The openning
1. The reasons for choosing topics
	Conditional sentences is one of the important English grammatical structures of the high school English program in general as well as the English program 10, 11, 12 (basic curriculum).
This grammar section was taught at secondary education ( Grade 9 ). In English 10, 11 and 12 programs. Conditional sentences continue to be taught at the basic level in Unit 8, 9, 11 (Tieng Anh 10), Unit 7 (Tieng Anh 11) and Unit 5 (Tieng Anh 12). This grammar points are fully taught from intermediate level to advanced one with various type of exercises .
In the GCSE examination, college entrance examination and, conditional sentences are available whereas the majority of students at high school in the countryside in general and especially students at Trieu Son 6 high schools. They have not mastered basic knowledge of grammar points because of the following reasons :
- Firstly, it is difficult grammar section, English studying environment is not good in the countryside .
- Secondly, student’s input is not high, most of students are lazy in learning English. Their studying purpose is to get a certificate for upper secondary education.
- Third, If the teachers do not classify different types of exercises, lack of teaching experience, students often confuse to recognize types of conditional and they have difficulties in doing this sort of exercise. If the teachers give speech to this grammar section ineffectively, it may be difficult for students to use conditional in other skills such as listening or speaking.
Actually, teaching and learning conditional sentences at our school is limited this leads to the majority of students have difficulties in using conditional sentences to do exercises, tests as well as expressing their thoughts in speech or writing 
For these reasons, I have chosen the theme "Some skills to do exercises on conditional sentences in Tieng Anh 10, 11, 12" to conduct research and apply for teaching and learning conditional sentences more effectively.
2. Research objectives
With the successful research, this topic will help teachers and students at Trieu Son 6 high school get the following results in teaching and learning:
- How well organized and efficient for students to learn and do conditional sentences through unit 8, 9, and 11 in 10th grade English program standards, unit 7 in 11th grade English program standards and unit 5 in 12th grade English program standards.
- Guiding students to learn and practice so that they get skills to do some types of exercises on conditional sentence better in general. They can also do well these sort of exercise in high school exams as well as the college entrance exam .Morever, students know to use conditional sentence effectively in communication.
3. Research subjects
The topic was carried out on students of class 10A1, 11C4, 12B4 at Trieu Son 6 high school in the academic year 2015 - 2016
4. Research methodology
a. Experimental Methods: Firstly, Teacher has his students learn grammar ,then teacher asks students to do two main types of exercise in the text book of English program standards.
b. Survey methods: Teacher examines the students in the classes where they are are teaching with skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing.
c. Statistical Methods: Teacher counts the results of the students in the class he is teaching through regular and periodic tests.
II. Content
1. Background theory:
 Nowadays, with the development of science and technology as well as economic integration requirements in the world, English is considered as the language of globalization.
 The teaching and learning English in schools becomes extremely important. English is a means to give students access to new scientific achievements. Morever, English helps expand their knowledge about the country and cultures of many countries in the world. Especially, English is a tool for communication, cooperation and economic development, so learning English at school is now focused and demanded. So how to teach English at schools effectivly?
 Exploring new teaching methods and improving teaching and learning effectivly is essential and important not only for those working in education management but also for teachers of English.
 In high school English program, the conditional sentence is an important part of knowledge that always appears in the GCSE exam and universit entrance exam. To do well types of exercises on conditional sentences, students must master the basic issues related to the conditions, and the type of exercise variations of conditional sentences in English. Particularly, for weak students who are not good at English need a simple way to learn. If they do not understand the use of the conditional sentences, and all kinds of exercises on conditional sentences they will have difficulties in periodic exams. Therefore, mastering the use of conditional sentences, doing exercises related to conditional sentences is an essential and important issue to students at high school.
 Moreover, according to the traditional teaching methods: teachers give speech, students listen and record passively what teachers say. Therefore, grammar lessons become very stressful, students lack creativity and thinking during lesson. Whereas, current text book requires learner central. Teachers and students need to be more active in teaching and learning. So how to develop students’ thought, creativity, teahers need to improve their lesson plans with various methods, improve their pedagogic ability.
 From exists above together with my experience in the process of teaching , I chose the subject to perform. When performing this subject I try to introduce and analyse two main types of exercises in the to help students especially weak student understand and do homework at the same time, help them to overcome the weaknesses of conditional grammar points .
2. Real situation before applying the experience idea :
 In standard English program textbooks, conditional grammar point spread and is widely distributed via the lesson of Reading, Speaking, Listening, Writing, and especially the Language Focus of unit 8, 9, 11 (Tieng Anh 10), Unit 7 (Tieng Anh 11) and Unit 5 (Tieng Anh 12):
 For students of our school, most of students find difficult to learn English. Students are farmer’s children, english learning environment is weak. Student’s input is rather low. In addition, actual teaching and learning conditions of the school is limited. Foreign language teachers is young in teaching experience, time for practising this grammar in the textbook is not much, this leads to the most students find difficult to apply for doing exercises, improving their other skills as well as exams.
With the existence of the above difficulties and limitations. So the results achieving in the process of teaching and learning is not high. That is evidenced by the results survey test on grammar problems before applying innovative experiences in teaching with the following statistics :
 Class
Total
Student
Very good 
Good
Average
Weak
Too weak
Quantity
%
Quantity
%
Quantity
%
Quantity
%
Quantity
%
10A1
41
0
0
7
17
18
44
13
32
3
7
11C4
39
0
0
6
15
16
41
12
31
5
13
12B4
37
0
0
7
19
15
40
11
30
4
11
( Attachment: Appendix 1 students’ test before applying teaching experience )
To troubleshoot and resolve the above situation I have studied, explored, and found out a number of measures in order to share with my colleagues the experiences of teaching conditional sentences. I hope to improve and enhance the quality of teaching and learning the grammar, to create dynamic grammar lessons, I also have specific instructions and details for the students to do various forms of exercises which is easy for students to understand, apply for their tests, exams and especially use in four skills: listening - speaking - reading - writing . Here are some specific measures .
3. Some skills to do exercises on conditional sentences (for weak students)
3.1. Grammar
3.1.1. Conditional sentence : type 1 ( real situations in the present or future )
a. Structure:
If clause
Main clause
- Present simple
- Present continuous
- Present perfect (if the action has already finished)
- Future tense
- Can/ may/ might/ must/ should + infinitive
- Present simple 
- Imperative
Ex: If Jane gets the job, she will move to Oxford
- If you have finished my homework, you may go out with your sister
- If you mix blue and yellow, you get green
- If you miss the bus, take a taxi
* Unless = If .not
Ex: Unless you work hard, you will fail the exam.
= If you don’t work hard, you will fail the exam.
b. The use
Conditional type 1 is used to express real or probable situations in the present or future, general truth (main clause is used in present simple), instructions or commands (main clause is used in imperative)
Note: If clauses either precede or follow the main clause. If they precede the main clause, we separate them with a comma 
Ex: If you get up late, you will miss the bus
BUT: you will miss the bus If you get up late
If there is a slight possibility of something happening, we can use should
Ex: If you should ever go to Colombia, visit the Museum of Gold in Bogota
In this case, “If” can be omitted, “should” comes before the subject (inversion)
Ex: should you ever go to Colombia, visit the Museum of Gold in Bogota
3.1.2. Conditional sentence : type 2 (unreal situations in the present or future)
a. Structure:
If clause
Main clause
- Past simple
- Past continuous
- Would/ could/ might + infinitive
Ex: If he were still living with his parents, he would be able to save more money
- If I won a lot of money, I would spend most of it travelling round the world
- If there were a guitar here, I could play a music
- If I were you, I would study harder
b. The use
Conditional type 2 is used to express unreal or imaginary situations in the present, events that are unlikely to happen in the future, to give advice
Note: 
- We use “were” instead of “was” in type 2 conditional sentences in formal English
Ex: If he were not so lazy, he would be more successful
- “If” can be omitted when it is followed by “were”: “were” comes before the subject (inversion)
Ex: Were she taller, she would be a volleyball player
- We can use “will/ would” in the If-clause (type 1+2 conditional sentences) to express desire, willingness, politeness, insistence, annoyance, uncertainty or to make a request.
Ex: If you will keep on being so noisy, I will have to report you
 I would appriciate it if you would turn the radio down
3.1.3. Conditional sentence : type 3 (unreal situations in the past)
a. Structure:
If clause
Main clause
- Past perfect simple
- Past perfect continuous
- Would/ could/ might + perfect infinitive
Ex: If he had known your phone number, he would have called you
- If he had been more careful, he would have passed the driving test
- If I had remembered your birthday, I would have come
b. The use
Conditional type 3 is used to express actions that didn’t happen, criticism or regret
Note: “If” can sometimes be omitted, “had” comes before the subject (inversion)
Ex: If you had arrived earlier, you would have met your grandmother
-> Had you arrived earlier, you would have met your grandmother
3.2. Some skills to do exercises on conditional sentences
3.2.1. The first type: Give correct form of the verbs in brackets 
3.2.1.1 Exercises
Exercises 1. Put the verb in brackets intothe correct form. Add ’ll/will or ’d/would if necessary. (Tieng Anh 11 page 87)
1. I (drive) _____ to work if I had a car.
2. Where in Vietnam would you like to live if you (can) _____ choose ? 
3. If the weather (be) _____ good, we will have lunch outside.
4. If the company offers me a job, I think I (take) _____ it
5. Many people would be out of work if that factory (close) _____ down
6. If you finish before 4:30, I (come) _____ and pick you up.
Exercises 2. Put the verbs in brackets into the correct form. (Tieng Anh 11 page 88)
1. They would have paid you more if they (be told) _____ of its value.
2. If I (realise) _____ that Greg wanted to get up early, I would have woken him up.
3. If you had had breakfast, you (not/be) _____ hungry.
4. If they had had enough money, they (buy) _____ that house.
5. If she (study) _____ harder, he would have passed the exams.
Exercises 3. Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verbs in brackets. (Tieng Anh 12 page 60)
1. If you had sent the application on time, they might (call) _____ you for an interview. I can’t understand why you didn’t.
2. If John (install) _____ an alarm, the thieves wouldn’t have broken into his house. 
3. I (make) a film with him if I had been a famous director, but I was not.
4. If you had told me earlier, I (give) it to you.
5. We would have sent you a Christmas card if we (have) _____ your adress.
3.2.1.2. Solution: - After having students learn or learn by heart the structures of conditional
a. Step 1: Teacher asks students to realize type of conditional by looking through the given clauses, students have to indicate the given clause in each sentence is if clause or main clause. 
Exercises 1. Put the verb in brackets intothe correct form. Add ’ll/will or ’d/would if necessary. (Tieng Anh 11 page 87)
1. I (drive) _____ to work if I had a car.
 if clause (past simple)
2. Where in Vietnam would you like to live if you (can) _____ choose ? 
 main clause (would+S+V)
3. If the weather (be) _____ good, we will have lunch outside.
 main clause (S+will+Vinf)
4. If the company offers me a job, I think I (take) _____ it
 if clause (present simple)
5. Many people would be out of work if that factory (close) _____ down
 main clause (S+would+Vinf)
6. If you finish before 4:30, I (come) _____ and pick you up.
if clause (present simple)
Exercises 2. Put the verbs in brackets into the correct form. (Tieng Anh 11 page 88)
1. They would have paid you more if they (be told) _____ of its value.
main clause (S+would have+Vpp)
2. If I (realise) __ that Greg wanted to get up early, I would have woken him up. 
 main clause (S+would have+Vpp)
3. If you had had breakfast, you (not/be) _____ hungry.
 if clause (past perfect)
4. If they had had enough money, they (buy) _____ that house.
 if clause (past perfect)
5. If she (study) _____ harder, he would have passed the exams.
 main clause (S+would have+Vpp)
Exercises 3. Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verbs in brackets. (Tieng Anh 12 page 60)
1. If you had sent the application on time, they might (call) _____ you for an 
 if clause (past perfect)
interview. I can’t understand why you didn’t.
2. If John (install) _____ an alarm, the thieves wouldn’t have broken into his house. main clause (S+would have+Vpp)
3. I (make) a film with him if I had been a famous director, but I was not.
 if clause (past perfect)
4. If you had told me earlier, I (give) it to you.
 if clause (past perfect)
5. We would have sent you a Christmas card if we (have) _____ your adress.
main clause (S+would have+Vpp)
b. Step 2: Basing on the given clause students indicate which sentence belongs to what type of conditional sentence (type 1, 2 or 3)
Exercises 1. Put the verb in brackets intothe correct form. Add ’ll/will or ’d/would if necessary. (Tieng Anh 11 page 87)
1. Conditional type 2
2. Conditional type 2
3. Conditional type 1
4. Conditional type 1
5. Conditional type 2
6. Conditional type 1
Exercises 2. Put the verbs in brackets into the correct form. (Tieng Anh 11 page 88)
1. Conditional type 3
2. Conditional type 3
3. Conditional type 3
4. Conditional type 3
5. Conditional type 3
Exercises 3. Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verbs in brackets. (Tieng Anh 12 page 60)
1. Conditional type 3
2. Conditional type 3
3. Conditional type 3
4. Conditional type 3
5. Conditional type 3
c. Step 3: After defining type of conditional sentence by basing on the given clause, students complete the sentence 
Exercises 1. Put the verb in brackets intothe correct form. Add ’ll/will or ’d/would if necessary. (Tieng Anh 11 page 87)
1. I would drive to work if I had a car.
2. Where in Vietnam would you like to live if you could choose ? 
3. If the weather is good, we will have lunch outside.
4. If the company offers me a job, I think I will take it
5. Many people would be out of work if that factory closed down
6. If you finish before 4:30, I will come and pick you up.
Exercises 2. Put the verbs in brackets into the correct form. (Tieng Anh 11 page 88)
1. They would have paid you more if they have been told of its value.
2. If I had realised that Greg wanted to get up early, I would have woken him up.
3. If you had had breakfast, you wouldn’t have been hungry.
4. If they had had enough money, they would have bought that house.
5. If she had studied harder, he would have passed the exams.
Exercises 3. Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verbs in brackets. (Tieng Anh 12 page 60)
1. If you had sent the application on time, they might have called you for an interview. I can’t understand why you didn’t.
2. If John had installed an alarm, the thieves wouldn’t have broken into his house. 
3. I would have made a film with him if I had been a famous director, but I was not.
4. If you had told me earlier, I would have given it to you.
5. We would have sent you a Christmas card if we had had your adress.
3.2.2. The second type: .Rewrite the sentences by using conditional 
3.2.2.1. Exercises
Exercise 2. Express these situations using conditional sentence type 2 (Tieng Anh 12 page 60)
1. Sarah doesn’t study hard. She hates school.
2. I can’t do the test. It is too difficult.
3. Peter doesn’t read a lot. He can’t find the time.
4. I can’t translate this. I don’t speak Korean	.
5. They don’t travel far a lot. They are afraid of flying.
Exercise 2. Write a sentence with if for each situation (Tieng Anh 10 page 119)
1. The accident happened because the driver in front stopped so suddently.
If the driver in front hadn’t  
2. I didn’t know that Lam had to get up early, so I didn’t wake him.
If I had known 
3. I was able to buy the car only because Hoa lent me the money.
If Hoa hadn’t ..
4. Mary was not injured in the crash because she was wearing a seat belt
If Mary hadn’t .
5. You did not have breakfast – that is why you are hungry now.
If you had .
6.I did not get a taxi because I did not have any money on me.
If I had . 
Exercise 3 Use the given information to make conditional sentences with if (Tieng Anh 10 page 120)
1. I wasn’t working at the restaurant last night. I didn’t wait on your table
2. They we