ESL Past Tense Lesson: Did vs. Didn't
Domingo Takes a Trip to the Dentist. ESL Students Practice the Past Tense Use of "did" and "didn't."
Recently Domingo, an ESL student in Boston who hails from the Dominican Republic, took a trip to a Boston hospital to have his teeth looked after. He had a tooth drilled and filled. His dentist was a man; the dentist's assistant was a woman. Neither spoke Spanish. Although Domingo's English is still halting (his first language is Spanish), he was able to communicate with his dentist, and tell his story in class.
Here are questions based on Domingo's story. To download the questions and use them in your own ESL class, go to the following address at box.net: Domingo visits the dentist.
There are a lot of advantages to using prosaic student-centered readings like these. For one, the stories students read in class are based on what they have experienced in their lives the day or week before. Second, students who read the stories read stories they have told the day or week before. The method adds relevance and immediacy to a class, and helps foster community in a class as students get to know one another.
1. Why was Domingo absent on Monday?
Because he went to the dentist. He has cavities and he needed to have one cavity filled.
2. Did the dentist remove one of Domingo's teeth?
No, he didn't. He drilled one tooth and filled it.
3. Did the dentist drill one of Domingo's teeth?
Yes, he did. He is going to drill more teeth next week.
4. Did the dentist fill a cavity in Domingo's tooth?
Yes, he did.
5. Was Domingo in the hospital or in a dentist's office?
He was at Boston City Hospital.
6. Did the dentist speak Spanish?
No, he didn't.
7. Was the dentist a man or a woman?
The dentist was a man.
8. Was the dentist's assistant a man or a woman?
The assistant was a woman.
9. Did the dentist's assistant speak Spanish?
No, she didn't.
10. How many cavities does Domingo have?
He has three. He had one filled on Monday.
11. Is Domingo going to the dentist again next week?
Yes, he is. He is going to have another tooth drilled. He has a cavity in the tooth. The dentist is going to fill the cavity.
12. Do you have cavities in your teeth?
Yes, I do. I have many. I have many cavities from childhood and adulthood. I eat too much candy.
13. Are you a dentist?
No, I'm not. I don't like dentists. I don't want to be one.
Published by Dave Williams
Outdoors writer Dave Williams lives in Arlington, Massachusetts. View profile
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