Module 1 Describing Language

Unit 1 Grammar
What is grammar?

• Refers to how we combine, organize and change parts of words, words and
group of words to make meaning

• Used unconsciously when we speak, listen, read or write.

• Used to describe language (particularly as teachers)

• Includes a large number of forms and uses.

What are grammatical forms?

• Refer to how words are made up and presented in speech or writing.

• The gerund = ‘infinitive + -ing’ (I like playing football)

• The plural of regular nouns = ‘base word + -s’ ( I have many friends)
Grammatical Forms

• Parts of speech:

• Grammatical structures

• Words (with affixes)

Parts of speech

1. nouns
2. verbs
3. adjectives
4. adverbs
5. determiners
6. prepositions
7. pronouns
8. conjunctions and
9. exclamations
Parts of speech or word class

describes

• how words behave in sentences

• how they operate and combine grammatically with other words

The tall girl ran very fast ( ) Tall ran very fast ( )
well organized ( ) good organised ( )
a car park ( )
Parts of speech Functions

The form of some parts of speech varies according to the function the
parts of speech have in a sentence.

The boy thought he would never grow old; he’s older

than most of his friends.
Parts of speech Functions

children
noun
Function(s) of nouns
• to name people, place, things, qualities, ideas, or activities
• to act as the subject/object of the verb
• countable, uncountable, proper, common, abstract, collective noun
Parts of speech Functions (table on pg.9)
Parts of speech Functions (table on pg.9)
Parts of speech Functions (table on pg.9)
 E
X
C
D L
V E R B P A
T R M
A E A E A
D R R P T
J M N T O I
E I O I S O
C O N J U N C T I O N
T E N L T
I R E I
V O
A D V E R B P R O N O U N
Grammatical Functions

•Grammatical structure
Past continuous/ progressive
He was running.

Subject + Past (be) + -ing form of verb

Grammatical Functions (table on pg. – 10)
Grammatical Functions

Affixes with base words give grammatical information

• boy / boys
• work / worked
• girl / girl’s
Grammatical Functions

• Prefixes + root word + Suffixes

make new words / add a meaning / change part of speech
• appear / disappear
• friend / friendly
• care / careful / carefully
Grammatical Use

refers to how grammatical structures are used to convey meaning

She is doing her homework.

• doing her homework at the moment

• an arrangement for the future (used for firm and intentions)
• temporary actions which she didn’t do before
Grammatical Use (table on pg. – 11)
Grammatical Use (table on pg. – 11)
Grammatical Use (table on pg. – 11)
Key concepts and language teaching classroom

• Grammar rules describe the way that language work but they are not fixed.

• Grammar rules traditionally describe written language rather than spoken

language. (e.g. contractions)

• Very often, speakers of a language can speak and write it well without
consciously knowing any grammatical rules or terms.
Key concepts and language teaching classroom

• Make students aware of patterns and practice them.

• Just learning grammar rules, terms and structures doesn’t teach learners
how to communicate. Language teaching focuses on functions, language
skills and communication.

• It is important that exercises and activities focus on form, and use to give Ss
practice of both. Leaners need to develop accuracy in both form and use.
Follow-up activities - 1

• Put these words into the correct category below. Some may belong more
than one category.
Follow-up activities – 1 KEY
Follow-up activities - 2

• Use prefixes and suffixes to make maps as in the example, from these
words: decide, luck, able
Follow-up activities – 2 KEY
Follow-up activities - 3

• Complete the table with an example, a term or a description of form.

Follow-up activities – 3 KEY
Follow-up activities - 4

• Read through the text below and identify the uses of the grammatical forms
underlined.
Follow-up activities – 4 KEY
Reflection

• Think about these teachers’ comments. Which do you agree with and why?
Reflection

• Think about these teachers’ comments. Which do you agree with and why?
References
• TKT Glossary .pdf
References
• PPT