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The focus of this unit is conditionals and reported speech. It explains the forms and usages of the five conditionals and gives examples and teaching ideas that can be used in the classroom. This unit also tackles the difference between direct and reported speech together with some ideas that can be used in teaching the topic.
Conditionals are made up of an ‘if’ clause and a main clause. The ‘if’ clause contains the condition to be satisfied while the main clause expresses the consequence.
The zero conditional refers to the present or something that happens always, and the consequence is real and possible. This talks about actions and things that are always true. The present simple is used in both clauses. In this conditional, the word ‘if’ can be replaced by the word ‘when’ with no change in meaning.
The first conditional refers to the present or future where the situation is real. This is used when we refer to a possible, probable or certain situation, once the condition has been satisfied. In this conditional, the ‘if’ clause is in the present simple, and the main clause is in the future simple. The structure is if + present simple and will + infinitive.
The second conditional refers to present or future hypothetical condition, and an unreal situation. This is used to talk about unreal, impossible things or hypothetical situations. In this conditional, the ‘if’ clause is in the past simple, and the main clause is in the present conditional. The structure is if + past simple and would/could/might + base form.
The third conditional refers to a hypothetical past condition, and a hypothetical past consequence. In this conditional, the ‘if’ clause uses the past perfect, and the main clause uses the perfect conditional. The structure is if + past perfect and would/could/might + past participle.
The mixed conditional refers to a hypothetical past condition, and a hypothetical present consequence. This used to refer to an unreal past condition and its probable result in the present. In this conditional, the ‘if’ clause uses the past perfect, and the main clause uses the present conditional. The structure is if + past perfect and would + base form.
The other topic discussed in this unit is reported speech. This is used when we want to tell someone what another person has said without using the exact words that the person used. When transforming direct speech to reported speech, it is important to consider the pronouns, place and time expressions, and verb tenses (backshift) of the sentences.
These two grammar subjects can be complicated for students to learn since there are many rules to consider. So the advice to take it slowly and introduce each one at a time. The teaching ideas for the conditionals, especially the What a question!, Nuclear bunker role play and What would happen if…?, would really be helpful in teaching the conditionals because they also develop the creativity and critical thinking skills of the students. For teaching reported speech, reporting verbs, intermediaries and media interviews are helpful activities to use in the classroom.
