English for Speakers of Other Languages

9. Describe Spatial & Temporal Relations

Level: Beginner/Early Intermediate

Supporting Materials

How to Teach

How to Assess


Corresponding State Language Forms

None

At the end of this language function, students will be able to...

  • Describe habits and routines
  • Use clocks and calendars
  • Explain when something happens

Sample Language Patterns:

Describe habits and routines:
  • What do you do in the morning/ afternoon evening?
  • I she/he it we they ___( verb) after lunch.
  • Next, we (use sequence words)
  • First, we ___ (verb)…
Use clocks and calendars:
  • O’clock
  • Today is ___ (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday…).
  • Seasons
  • It is ___ (Noun for unit of time).
  • What do we do in the ___ (time period).
  • We ___ (verb) in the ___ (time period).
  • How often do/does ___ (noun)___ (verb)?
  • What does ___ (pronoun) do in the ___ (time of day)?
  • ___(Pronoun) ___ (verb) ___ (noun) after/before ___ (noun).
  • When do you ___ (verb or verb phrase)?
  • I ___ (verb or verb phrase) at/in ___.
  • How often do/does ___ (noun) ___ (verb)?
  • Do/does ___ (pronoun/noun) ___ (verb) a lot?
  • Yes/no
  • Do you know what time it is?
  • What time is it?
  • What day is today?
  • Days of the week
  • Months of the year
  • Half past
  • Quarter of…
  • Quarter till/after
Explain when something happens:
  • What do you do at/for Christmas?
  • I/we ___ (verb)…