Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Barbara Nykiel-Herbert
Department of English
Youngstown State University
Youngstown, Ohio
nykielherbert@yahoo.com
Learning English as a foreign language:
an impossible task?
• ineffective methodologies
• large classes
Language components:
grammar
vocabulary/morphology
sounds
writing system/spelling
Language skills:
speaking
listening
reading
writing
Grammar: what is its place in the EFL
classroom?
Grammar has become the “dirty word” of language teaching.
Language teachers love grammar; students hate it.
Grammar bashing is unjustified. Grammar is the engine of
language: it generates meaning relationships among lexical
items:
- The dog bit the boy.
- The boy bit the dog.
- Who bit the dog?
- Who did the dog bite?
Substitutions:
go to the movies/drive to the coast
Friday night/Sunday afternoon
study for a test/see my parents
Conversational Model 2
Current
For example, no young person in the UK or US would say, “It’s raining
cats and dogs!” or “Heavens to Betsy!”
• Socially appropriate
For example, don’t greet your boss with ’Wassup, dog? [What’s up,
friend?] and don’t invite him to chill in your crib. [come over to your
house.]
• Properly collocated
For example, impenetrable darkness; top priority; preventive measures;
suffer consequences; character assassination; debilitating illness
Some examples of word usage errors
You can lie down on the beach and enjoy suntan. But
don’t forget to bring a bottle of suntan lotion in good
quality.
A7K 773 It's not beyond some people in churches to lift a phone
and get young people up.
ABV 1844 But the husband continues: `;… but let us get one
thing clear --; I haven't done anything wrong!';
AMW 561 Now don't get the impression that the Club is devoted
to enlarging the egos of `;would be Wimbledon champions';.
AN2 61 The original engine I have kept as a spare and would
like to convert it to run on unleaded petrol, could you please
inform me where to get drawings or information on conversion.
British National Corpus: Bibliography
For example,
Will this be cash or charge?
Sorry, we do not accept American Express.
Do you have a Macy’s credit card? Would you like to apply for
one today?”
Would you like your receipt in the bag?
You may exchange it within 30 days with the receipt.