Teaching Question Tags

If we want to ask for information we usually use the standard question form. However, sometimes we just want to keep a conversation going, or confirm information. In this case, question tags are often used to solicit input or confirmation to what we are saying. Using question tags well also promotes a keen understanding of the use of various auxiliary verbs. Aim: Developing active and passive knowledge of the use of question tagsActivity: Gap-fill followed by sentence matching and, finally, an oral practice exercise to promote active usage of question tagsLevel: Pre-intermediate to intermediate Outline: Activate target area by asking students simple yes/no questions insisting on the correct use of the auxiliary verbs. For example: Do you play tennis? - Yes, I do. Have you been to England - No, I havent.Introduce the idea of question tags by asking students questions using information that you already know about them. For example: You are studying English, arent you? - He didnt go to New York last year, did he?Explain the usage of question tags to students and when they are more preferable than direct questions.Divide students into groups of 3 - 4 and have them complete the gap-fill exercise.Give each group the sentence halves (which you have cut into strips prior to the lesson) and ask them to match them.Correct the sentence matching as a class.Focus on pronunciation by demonstrating the different meaning indicated by a rising voice (asking for more information) and a dropping voice (confirming information).Practice using the question tag examples with both types of intonation.  A sk each student to write his/her name on a piece of paper followed by five simple statements about him/herself. For example: I have been married for four years. I live in San Francisco. etc.Collect the statements and re-distribute the sheets to different students. Make sure that the students keep the sheets upside down until they are called on.Each student then uses the statements to form question tag questions asking the student who has written the statements. For example: You have been married for four years, havent you? You live in San Francisco, dont you? Question Tag Exercises Put the following question tags in to the correct gaps. Each question tag is used only once. isnt it?, has he?, were you?, arent you?, doesnt he?, do you?, is she?, didnt you?, did she? She didnt watch the film last night, ________Its great to see each other again, __________He comes every Friday, _________Youre married, __________You went to Toms last weekend, _________You dont like tripe, ___________She isnt much of a cook, ________He hasnt lived here long, ________You werent invited to the party, __________ Match The Sentence Halves Sentence Question Tag They enjoy playing footballShe isnt thinking of movingHell go to universityShe hasnt studied for very longJack bought a new car last weekThey arent seriousYou live in an apartmentShe doesnt speak RussianThey wont shut upHe isnt concentratingThey hadnt visited you beforeThis music is fantastic is shedoes shehad theydont theywont hedont youwill theyhas shedidnt heisnt itare theyis he Answers They enjoy playing football, dont they?She isnt thinking of moving, is she?Hell go to university, wont he?She hasnt studied for very long, has she?Jack bought a new car last week, didnt he?They arent serious, are they?You live in an apartment, dont you?She doesnt speak Russian, does she?They wont shut up, will they?He isnt concentrating, is he?They hadnt visited you before, had they?This music is fantastic, isnt it?