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Countable and Uncountable- Language Learning Discussion

A LESSON PLAN FOR ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHERS

Practising count and non-count nouns and learner training as students discuss good ways to learn English, also good practice for the language of advice.

By: Alex Case
Level: All Levels
Theme: General
Study Area: Nouns
      Page: /

Lesson Plan Content:


Countable and uncountable language learning discussion

Ask for and give advice on language learning using the nouns below. If a word doesn’t have “-s” after it, that means “-s” would be incorrect. Using “a/ an” with a singular form of the words with “-s” is of course fine.

vocabulary

words

phrases

 

grammar

tenses

 

body language

gestures

 

literature

poems

 

fiction

novels

 

non-fiction

biographies

 

press

magazines

newspapers

 

written communication

emails

texts/ SMS messages

 

spoken communication

phone calls

teleconferences/ videoconferences

 

cooking

recipes

labels on ingredients

 

research

research papers

 

information online

websites

 

jargon/ terminology

abbreviations (e.g. acronyms)

 

software

(smartphone) apps/ applications

 

packaging

cereal boxes

 

food

menus

 

academic literature

academic papers

academic journals

 

punctuation

commas

apostrophes

 

equipment

DVD player instructions

laptop computer manuals

 

transport

air tickets

travel websites

 

homework

essays

grammar exercises

 

education./ training

exams/ tests

certificates/ qualifications

 

humour

jokes

 

Ask about anything above which you don’t understand or would like to hear other people’s advice about, sharing your experiences, problems and recommendations each time.

 

 

Without looking above for now, add “-s” to the words below which can take a plural ending. The words are in the same sections as above, so each group has at least one word which can’t take “-s”, but they are mixed up. If you aren’t sure, try:

  • Putting “some” before the word and seeing if it sounds better with “-s” or without “-s”
  • Making a question with that word and seeing if it sounds better with “How much…?” or “How many…?”
  • Putting a number in front of that word and seeing if it sounds right

 

phrase

vocabulary

word

 

grammar

tense

 

body language

gesture

 

literature

poem

 

fiction

novel

 

biography

non-fiction

 

magazine

newspaper

press

 

email

text/ SMS message

written communication

 

phone call

spoken communication

teleconference/ videoconference

 

cooking

label on ingredient

recipe

 

research

research paper

 

information online

website

 

abbreviation (e.g. acronym)

jargon/ terminology

 

(smartphone) app/ application

software

 

cereal box

packaging

 

food

menu

 

academic journal

academic literature

academic paper

 

apostrophe

comma

punctuation

 

DVD player instruction

equipment

laptop computer manual

 

air ticket

transport

travel website

 

essay

grammar exercises

homework

 

certificate/ qualification

education./ training

exam/ test

 

humour

joke

Check your answers with the first worksheet. Can you find any rules/ patterns about which kinds of words are uncountable?

When there is a general category and specific examples above, which one is usually uncountable? Can you think of any other pairs of general categories and specific examples which illustrate the same grammar (e.g. “baggage/ luggage” and “suitcase”)?

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