Contextualization

Introduction and Key Theoretical Concepts

English is the most widely spoken global language, it is the language of business, science, technology, diplomacy, and entertainment. Therefore, learning English is essential to communicate in this globalized world and to have access to a multitude of knowledge available in English.

Understanding different verb tenses in English is crucial to decipher and express a variety of situations. The English language has approximately 12 verb tenses, divided into present, past, and future tenses, each with four aspects: simple, continuous, perfect, and perfect continuous.

Each verb tense has a specific meaning and is used to express an action that happened in the past, is happening now, or will happen in the future, as well as to express routines, habits, facts, among other situations. Thus, verb tenses are a fundamental tool to express oneself accurately in English.

Contextualization

In the information age, digital literacy is as important as mastering the English language. The combination of these two skills allows access to an endless source of knowledge and opportunities. In practice, this means accessing information in real-time, participating in global communities, advancing in the workplace, and making meaningful connections beyond geographical borders.

The flexibility and versatility of the English language allow for expressing a variety of emotions, information, and nuances. Mastering the proper use of verb tenses will lead to clarity in communication and understanding complex messages in different contexts, from academic and professional to social and everyday.

Practical Activity

Activity Title: "Exploring Verb Tenses Through Cinema"

Objective:

Develop a comprehensive understanding of verb tenses in English through the analysis and discussion of dialogues from famous movies. In addition, students will develop time management, research, discussion, and presentation skills.

Project Description:

Students will be divided into groups of 3 to 5, and each group will be responsible for choosing a famous English-language film. The group should select scenes that represent different verb tenses and analyze in-depth how these verb tenses are used in the dialogue to express different scenarios and feelings.

The project should be completed in two weeks. After choosing the film and selecting the scenes, students must transcribe the dialogues and highlight the different verb tenses used. The analysis of these dialogues should include a detailed explanation of the verb tenses used and why they were used in the context of the scene.

Required Materials:

1. Internet access
2. Copies of the chosen film
3. English dictionaries and grammar resources
4. Presentation materials (PowerPoint, Google Slides, etc)

Step by Step:

1. Divide students into groups and have each group choose a film to analyze.
2. Students should watch the film and select scenes that contain dialogues with different verb tenses.
3. Transcribe the dialogues from these scenes and highlight the different verb tenses.
4. Analyze each highlighted verb tense, explaining its use in the context of the scene.
5. Prepare a presentation detailing the analysis of the use of verb tenses.
6. Present the analysis to the class, discussing the different uses of verb tenses in the selected scenes.

Project Deliverables:

1. Dialogue Transcription: Each group must present a detailed transcription of the dialogues from the chosen scenes, highlighting the different verb tenses used.

2. Written Analysis: A detailed analysis of each verb tense used in the dialogues. It should include a discussion of why the specific verb tense was used in the context of the scene and how it contributes to the understanding and interpretation of the scene.

3. Oral Presentation: Each group must give an oral presentation of their analysis to the class, using visual aids such as PowerPoint or Google Slides.

4. Project Report: At the end of the project, each group must submit a written report that includes the following topics:

   • Introduction: In this section, the group should introduce the chosen film and explain the project's objective.
   • Development: Here, the group should detail the methodology used for the project, explain the activities carried out, present the transcription of the dialogues, and the analysis of the verb tenses.
   • Conclusions: In this part, the group should summarize what they learned during the project, highlight the main challenges faced and how they were overcome, and discuss how the project contributed to the understanding of verb tenses in English.
   • Bibliography: In this final section, the group should indicate the sources they relied on to work on the project, including books, web pages, and videos.

The report should be written clearly and objectively, demonstrating the knowledge acquired by the students during the project and the understanding of verb tenses in English.