I�m preparing 15 didactic units for my syllabus for 1st year of Bachillerato (16-17 years students) for the competitive exam in Spain and I have a doubt:

 

my first idea was placing the reported speech units (one for statements and the second for questions and commands) at the end of the year, but I realised that the two units devoted to modal verbs fit better at the end as regards as the vocabulary and activities. So my question is: do you think that there is any problem if I place the reported speech units before the passive and the modals?

 

My doubt emerges because passive also deals with modals, as well as reported speech so it would be better place them before, but students are supposed to know them from previous years and if I arrange the topics again it would take me a lot of time and the exam is in a month.

 

I have look up sveral books and in most of them indirect speech is at the end.

 

So what do you think?

 

Thanks in advance.

1) You are right... reported speech is usually placed at the end... but I don �t really know way. I �ve asked myself that question many times. Reported speech is something that we need badly in order to communicate. Whenever we have a discussion, or we are asked to retell what we did (last summer.. etc.) So.. personally, I think it would be beneficial to teach it before.

2) I understand what you say about modals.. but actually, when you teach reported speech, you don �t really deal with modals in depth. You just point out the backshift changes. 

I would say change things around provided you feel comfortable with it and have an explanation supporting your decision.

I hope I was able to help you out... and let �s see what other people say!

Carolina

Ex: It is said that...

      She is known for... 

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