CELTA Pre Interview Task- Help Needed Please

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Dear All

I am in the process of completing the CELTA Pre-Interview task, but as I haven't studied grammar/language in detail for a long while I was really hoping if somebody would be really kind and help me a little. I have drafted my answers but would be grateful for any guidance or ideas.

The questions I am considering are as follows:
For each pair of sentences below. firstly state what the difference is, secondly state what method you would use in class to help students understand the difference. Think about different options like using visuals, giving examples, creating a context or scenario, mime, real objects, definitions etc.

1a) When I got there the party started.
b) When I got there the party had started
The difference in meaning is...

To help students understand the difference I would...

2a) to intervene
b) to interfere
The difference in meaning is...

To help students understand this difference I would...

I'd be really grateful for any ideas and would like to thank you in advance.:up:

Very best,
Zara
 

shroob

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Joined
Jul 15, 2010
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Student or Learner
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English
Home Country
England
Current Location
England
NOT A TEACHER.

Dear Zara,

I've just got my pre-interview task and am feeling quite daunted by it. Mine focuses on verb phrases.

Though to get back to you. I would answer it something like this:

1) The difference in meaning is that a) implies everyone at the party was waiting for you, perhaps it was a party thrown for you or even that it was a boring party until you got there and liven things up. Where as b) implies that the party had begun before you arrived.

To help students understand the difference I would perhaps suggest a little role play. For a) maybe have a group of students 'pretend' to throw a surprise party for another student. Have them walk through the door, then the 'party' begins. For b) perhaps have a student pretent to arrive late to a party.

2) The difference in meaning is slight. While both a) and b) suggest someone or something has got involved with an activity or event to change the outcome, a) could be beneficial or negative whereas b) generally has negative implications on the outcome of the event. For example if someone is dying, a doctor may intervene to save their life. You wouldn't say the doctor interfered. Interfere generally has a 'stopping' effect and negative implications.

To help students understand this I would again suggest role play of different scenarios and ask students to suggest which word they would use.
E.G. - The doctor......to save the mans life.
'Do not........with my work!' Yelled the angry businessman.
If it was not for the police who..........the robbers would have escaped.

Hope this helps.

Like I said, I am not a teacher and have not passed a CELTA course, and am doubtful I will anytime soon. I'm just a native who likes helping out on this forum when I can.
 
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