Teaching comparative and superlative adjectives can sometimes feel like a standard grammar lesson, but it’s crucial to equip English as a Second Language (ESL) learners with the tools to express degrees of difference effectively. To make this grammar point more dynamic and memorable, especially focusing on intensifiers like “far,” incorporating engaging activities is key. This article delves into a practical and enjoyable lesson plan designed to teach comparatives and superlatives, with a special emphasis on using “far” to add emphasis and nuance to these grammatical structures.
Understanding Comparatives and Superlatives: Building Blocks of Comparison
Before diving into intensifiers, it’s essential to ensure students have a solid grasp of the basic forms and functions of comparative and superlative adjectives. Comparatives, as the name suggests, are used to compare two things, highlighting the difference between them. Think phrases like “bigger than,” “faster than,” or “more interesting than.” Superlatives, on the other hand, are used to compare three or more things, identifying the extreme – the “biggest,” “fastest,” or “most interesting.”
These grammatical forms are not just about memorizing rules; they are about enabling students to articulate comparisons in everyday conversations and writing. Starting with clear explanations and relatable examples is paramount.
The Power of ‘Far’: Intensifying Comparisons
Once students are comfortable with the basic comparative and superlative forms, introducing intensifiers elevates their language proficiency. Intensifiers are words that strengthen or weaken the meaning of adjectives or adverbs. “Far” is a powerful intensifier, particularly effective in emphasizing superlatives and comparatives.
When used with superlatives, “by far” or “easily” underscores that something is definitively the most or least among a group. For example, instead of simply saying “Mount Everest is the highest mountain,” saying “Mount Everest is by far the highest mountain” adds significant emphasis to its supreme height.
Similarly, “far” can intensify comparatives, highlighting a significant difference. Phrases like “far more interesting,” “far bigger,” or “far less expensive” demonstrate a considerable gap between the items being compared. Other intensifiers like “much,” “a great deal,” “a lot,” “a bit,” and “a little” offer varying degrees of emphasis, allowing for nuanced expression.
Engaging Lesson Activity: The Farewell Certificate – A Practical Application
To make learning about “far” with comparatives and superlatives interactive and relevant, consider adapting a lesson centered around creating “farewell certificates.” This activity not only reinforces grammar but also fosters a positive classroom environment.
Preparation: Noun Sorting for Contextual Practice
Begin by writing a variety of nouns on the whiteboard. These nouns can range from concrete items like “cities,” “countries,” and “vegetables” to more abstract concepts. To make it relatable, include countries represented by students in the class, along with a mix of familiar and less familiar options (e.g., China, Italy, Hungary, Australia, Iceland, Fiji). Adding relevant figures like “recent US presidents” or “UK prime ministers” can also spark interest and discussion.
Have students work individually or in pairs to classify these nouns into logical groups. This warm-up activity activates prior knowledge, encourages collaborative discussion, and provides a bank of nouns for subsequent grammar practice.
Presentation: Teacher-Led Grammar Focus
Following the sorting activity, transition to a teacher-led presentation focusing on the grammar points. Provide clear example sentences illustrating the formation and spelling rules for comparatives and superlatives. Use concept checking questions (CCQs) to ensure students understand the meaning and usage.
Specifically, introduce intensifiers for both comparative and superlative forms. Highlight “by far” and “easily” for superlatives, and “far,” “much,” “a great deal,” “a lot,” “a bit,” and “a little” for comparatives. Explain how “far” enhances the degree of comparison.
Practice: Sentence Building with Intensifiers
Next, have students practice constructing their own sentences using the nouns from the sorting activity and the newly introduced intensifiers. Encourage them to create sentences comparing and contrasting items within the categories they identified. For instance, using “cities,” students could compare two cities using comparatives with “far” or identify the “largest” city using superlatives with “by far.”
Production: Farewell Certificate Creation
The culminating activity is the creation of farewell certificates. Each student creates a certificate with their name at the top. These certificates are then passed around the class. Each student writes a complimentary sentence on each certificate, describing the certificate recipient using a superlative or comparative adjective, ideally incorporating intensifiers like “far.”
For example, a student might write, “You are by far the most helpful classmate” or “You have the most creative ideas.” This activity provides meaningful and personalized practice with the target grammar, reinforcing the use of comparatives, superlatives, and intensifiers in a positive and communicative context.
Why This Lesson Resonates: Engagement and Practicality
This lesson plan is effective because it moves beyond rote memorization and connects grammar learning to a real-world, engaging activity. The noun sorting provides context, the teacher-led presentation clarifies the rules, and the certificate activity allows for personalized and communicative practice.
The use of “far” and other intensifiers adds a layer of sophistication to students’ language, enabling them to express nuances in comparisons. The farewell certificate activity creates a positive and memorable learning experience, ensuring that students not only understand the grammar but also enjoy using it.
Conclusion: Empowering ESL Learners with Comparative Language
Teaching comparatives and superlatives, especially with intensifiers like “far,” is crucial for developing ESL students’ ability to express comparisons accurately and effectively. By incorporating engaging activities like the farewell certificate lesson, educators can transform grammar lessons into dynamic and memorable learning experiences. Encourage your students to use “far” and other intensifiers to add depth and precision to their comparative language, empowering them to communicate with greater confidence and nuance in English.
