Diary School

Lipson Community College

Lipson Community College

Using the "Learn Verbs" books

We received the book in January with a request to review it - well, a free book is always worth it. We had our apprehensions as to how glitzy can a grammar book be? I mean don't they all promise to improve pupils' results and engage their interest?

So, imagine my shock when after three lessons with a mixed ability year 10 group, the majority of pupils could write the verb 'tener' in three tenses- past, present and future. It is the way this book colour codes each tense which makes it easy for the pupils to learn. With this success, I transferred the information onto PowerPoint and presented it at the start of each class as the register was taken, after which pupils were asked for the English of each verb. This again showed the majority of pupils had taken in the information.

I sent a letter home to parents explaining what the book entailed and prepared a one-off sample lesson for parents to attend. I had a turnout of 20 parents who were amazed at how easy the book was to use. In March, the book was put to the test of the dreaded OFSTED inspector. Unexpectedly, she came into my year 10 class as they were studying the pictures during the roll call - she looked quite stunned as to how many of the verbs the pupils were able to remember. I proceeded with my lesson and during the feedback session she praised this method and thought it was the way forward in MFL teaching.

Initially we agreed to keep the book for year 10's but year 11 was introduced to the book at Easter as a revision tool. They were tested at the start of each lesson on a particular tense and if unsure were given 20 seconds to concentrate on the coloured verb table and then reciting it. There was a remarkable improvement in each pupils progress.- I only wish we had have had access to the book before Christmas in order to aid them with their coursework- But with this said the school achieved an 86% A* - C pass rate on the Spanish results and 100% pass rate A* - G. I can honestly say that these results are thanks to the "Learn Verbs" book and the hard work of teachers at the school.

Footnote:-
We have now received the new format French and the students are finding it even easier to learn the verbs and we now have more free time.

Lynda McTier,
Lipson Community College

Lipson Community College

Lipson Community College

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