Teaching Subject-Verb Agreement: A Fun and Effective Method

Subject-verb agreement is a fundamental rule in English that forms the basis of proper sentence structure. While it might initially seem simple for regular verbs, mastering it can be a challenge, especially for students at the early stages of learning. In this article, we will explore a fun and effective method to teach subject-verb agreement to students, particularly those in Cambodian schools and American ESL classrooms.

Understanding Subject-Verb Agreement Basics

Subject-verb agreement is a crucial grammatical concept that ensures the subject and verb in a sentence match in number (singular or plural). Typically, a singular subject takes a singular verb, and a plural subject takes a plural verb. This rule, although straightforward for some verbs, can be tricky for beginners. For example:

1. The lesson seems hard.

2. The lessons seem hard.

In these two sentences, adding or removing the 's' changes the number of the subject and the verb accordingly.

A Fun and Memorable Teaching Method

Teaching subject-verb agreement in a fun and engaging manner can significantly enhance a student's understanding and retention of the rule. This approach has been successfully employed by educators, particularly those working with Cambodian students over several years. The method involves simple yet effective rules and visual aids that make the concept memorable and straightforward.

Establishing the Rules

Subject-verb agreement only applies in very specific circumstances, primarily affirmative statements or exclamations in the present tense. Therefore, for questions, negative statements, commands, or anything in past or future tenses, there's no need to worry about subject-verb agreement.

The Core Rule

The fundamental rule of subject-verb agreement can be summarized in a few short phrases:

Ssingular subject (he, she, it): the verb should be singular (has, does, is). Plural subject (I, you, we, they): the verb should be plural (have, do, are).

Reinforcing these rules through repetition and interactive activities can help students internalize the concept. For example, you can use a memory aid that involves drawing a smiling snake on the board shaped like an 'S'. This 'S' the snake will "cry" every time the rule is forgotten. Changing the snake's expression depending on whether the rule is followed or not can make the lesson more engaging.

Practical Application

To apply this rule, you can create interactive games or puzzles where students have to match the correct form of the verb with the subject. This can be done in several ways, such as:

Creating flashcards with sentences on one side and their correct verb forms on the other. Using story prompts to have students complete sentences with the correct verbs. Engaging in role-playing activities where students act out scenarios involving different subjects and verbs.

By making subject-verb agreement a game, students are more likely to remember the rules and apply them correctly in their writing and speaking.

Conclusion

Teaching subject-verb agreement doesn't have to be a chore. By leveraging simple rules, engaging visual aids, and interactive activities, you can help students grasp this essential grammatical concept in a fun and effective manner. Whether you're a teacher in a Cambodian classroom or an ESL instructor in the United States, these methods can make a significant difference in your students' ability to use the correct verb forms.