Towards finding a difficulty index for English grammatical terminology

Terminology ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 236-261
Author(s):  
Mehrdad Yousefpoori-Naeim ◽  
Sasan Baleghizadeh
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
Grammar Teaching ◽  
English Grammar ◽  
Test Rank ◽  
History Of ◽  
Difficulty Index ◽  
First Time ◽  
English Students

Abstract Despite going through some ups and downs, grammar teaching has always been one of the central issues in the history of second language teaching. In order to teach grammar, teachers frequently get involved in metalanguage, which has grammatical terminology as one of its major components. Since the nature and use of grammatical terminology in language teaching has remained a considerably under-researched area to the day, the present study, originally a doctoral dissertation, was an attempt to find a difficulty index for a more or less comprehensive list of English grammatical terms, collected from various sources of English grammar. For this purpose, frequency of terms in a researcher-built corpus of EFL/ESL pedagogic grammar textbooks and English students’ familiarity with the terms were used as the two main criteria for calculating the difficulty index. A corpus of 14 grammatical textbooks was created, and then each of the 459 terms in the list was searched for in the textbooks to calculate their frequencies as well as ranks in the corpus. Student familiarity with the terms in the list was also measured through a productive test of grammatical terminology administered to 72 BA students of English at Shahid Beheshti University in Iran. Based on the results, the traditional dichotomy of scientific versus pedagogic terminology was questioned, arguing for an additional category, non-pedagogic term. Accordingly, 173 (37.7%) of the terms in the list never appeared in the corpus and thus were labelled non-pedagogic. Terms with a large corpus/test rank were reanalyzed to find out about the reasons for the gap. Furthermore, the distribution of terms across the corpus textbooks revealed that as the level of the books rises, the number of terms also increases, indicating the direct relationship between second language proficiency and metalingual knowledge. Most importantly, more than 10 major and minor trends in the use of grammatical terminology in pedagogy were explored and suggested. Finally, as the output of the study, 6 equivalent objective tests of pedagogic grammatical terminology were developed for the first time in the literature.

CALL, the foreign-language undergraduate and the teaching of grammar: a linguistic and political battlefield

ReCALL ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 4 (7) ◽  
pp. 3-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Metcalfe
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Second Language Learning ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
Recent History ◽  
Present Generation ◽  
The Social ◽  
History Of

The recent history of the teaching of grammar, both for first- and second-language learning, has produced highly polarised and acrimonious debate. The repercussions have extended beyond the boundaries of linguistics into the social and political domain. The present generation of foreign-language undergraduates has been profoundly (if unknowingly) affected by this debate, as reflected in their approach to the learning of grammar, and any consideration of the methodology of language teaching, including that of CALL, must take account of it.

Teaching Chinese as a foreign language: A classroom study on the timing of grammar around a task

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa Baralt ◽  
Marcela López Bravo
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Hong Kong ◽  
Second Language Acquisition ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
The United States ◽  
Common Belief ◽  
Focus On Form ◽  
Cambridge University ◽  
Grammar Teaching

AbstractContrary to common belief, there is a place for grammar teaching in task-based language teaching (TBLT). It is still an unresolved debate, however, what the most effective timing of grammar teaching is around a task. Citing theory, some methodologists argue against grammar in the pre-task phase (e. g., Willis 1996. A framework for task-based learning. Harlow: Longman; Willis and Willis 2007. Doing task-based teaching. Oxford: Oxford University Press), while others argue for it (e. g., DeKeyser 1998. Beyond focus on form: Cognitive perspectives on learning and practicing second language grammar. In C. Doughty & J. Williams (eds.), Focus on form in classroom second language acquisition, 42–63. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; Lightbown 1998. What have we here? Some observations on the influence of instruction on L2 learning. In R. Phillipson, E. Kellerman, L. Selinker, M. Sharwood Smith & M. Swain (eds.), Foreign language pedagogy research: A commemorative volume for Claus Faerch, 197–212. Clevedon: Multilingual Matters and Nunan 2004. Task-based language teaching. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press). Still other methodologists have suggested that a pre-task grammar explanation renders TBLT more culturally appropriate in Confucian-heritage teaching contexts (e. g., Carless 2007. The suitability of task-based approaches for secondary schools: Perspectives from Hong Kong. Schools: Perspectives from Hong Kong. System 35. 595–608; Luk 2009. Preparing EFL students for communicative task performance: The nature and role of language knowledge. Asian Journal of English Language Teaching 19. 67–90). None of these claims have been tested empirically. The present paper attempts to contribute to that gap by reporting on a case study that took place in a Chinese as a foreign language classroom in the United States. We examined how a Chinese teacher’s grammar teaching in the pre- versus post-task phase differentially affected the task outcome, as well as the teacher’s and learners’ beliefs of which was most effective. One Chinese teacher and 12 learners participated in the study. Results showed that the task outcome was comprised of more language production, accuracy, and modified output, as well as 15 times more interactional turns, when the grammar was explained in the post-task phase. However, the teacher overwhelmingly valued a grammar explanation in the pre-task phase. Learners were equally divided. We discuss how the methodological timing of grammar shaped discourse differently for the pragmatic ends of tasks, and make suggestions for Chinese teachers new to TBLT.

scholarly journals Is Grammar Still Important Learning the English Language on Tertiary Level? The Analysis of Students’ Attitude

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. p1
Author(s):  
Ramunė Vitalija Ilgūnaitienė
Keyword(s):  
Language Proficiency ◽  
English Language ◽  
English Language Proficiency ◽  
Foreign Languages ◽  
Grammar Teaching ◽  
English Grammar ◽  
Motivation For Learning ◽  
Teaching Learning ◽  
Interest And Motivation ◽  
Insight Into

Lecturers of Vytautas Magnus University Institute of Foreign Languages have noticed that students’ English grammar comprehension as well as their interest and motivation for learning it have dropped significantly. It was decided to carry out the research and find the answers to the topical questions. Do students thoroughly understand the importance of grammar in language acquisition context? What are the factors predisposing the diminishing value of grammar? What is the students’ insight into the grammar teaching/ learning process in level C1? The questionnaire was compiled and on the basis of a comparative – quantitative method the conclusions were drawn that students do not think that grammar plays an important role in learning the English language, they suppose that their grammar competence is sufficient to be fluent in English, thus, there is no need to continue learning grammar in level C1. If we do not make an attempt to solve this problem, it might lead to a dangerous outcome- the level of the English language proficiency may fall down drastically.

scholarly journals Image Schema-Based Instruction in English Grammar

2016 ◽  
Vol 2015 (1) ◽  
pp. 285
Author(s):  
Mayu Shintani
Keyword(s):  
Teaching Methods ◽  
Cognitive Linguistics ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
Private University ◽  
Schema Theory ◽  
Grammar Teaching ◽  
English Grammar ◽  
Image Schemas ◽  
Image Schema ◽  
Based Instruction

Cognitive linguistics has been aimed at revealing the very nature of language for the last several decades. One of the field’s most significant contributions has been the abstraction of the general patterns, or image schemas, underlying grammatical concepts. In this paper, we propose that English grammar-teaching methods adopting image schema theory offer strong benefits for language teaching. As schematic explanations given to learners are more visible and comprehensible than ordinary verbal-based ones, this method offers a clearer and more engaging way to understand the target grammar. We also present data collected from experiments conducted with more than 400 native Japanese-speaking students at one national and one private university that support the effectiveness of this method. 認知言語学は産声をあげてここ数十年の間，人間の言語の真の姿を明らかにすることに専心してきた。この学問分野がつまびらかにしてきた数々の言語現象のうち，最も有益な成果のひとつにイメージ図式理論の構築があげられる。イメージ図式とは文法および語彙構造のひな形となるものである。本論文は認知言語学のイメージ図式理論を応用した英文法教材の学習効果を一国立大学と一私立大学に学ぶ400人以上の日本人学部生を対象に行った実験結果をもとに実証的な知見から論じている。

scholarly journals The Premature Use of English Grammar by EFL Learners

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 103
Author(s):  
Nur Mukminatien
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Second Language Acquisition ◽  
Language Acquisition ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
Writing Performance ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
English Grammar ◽  
Error Corrections

The roles of conscious learning and error corrections have been questioned since the development of communicative approaches to language teaching, along with theoretical and empirical insights from Second Language Acquisition (SLA) research. Whether overt learning really helps the learner produce better L2 performance is a mystery. This article describes the premature use of English Grammar by EFL learners as shown on their writing performance. It also reviews theoretical insights from SLA theories to uncover the mystery.

The Effect of Teaching Word Formation Theory to English Students

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 7
Author(s):  
Miranda Enesi
Keyword(s):  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
English Word ◽  
Word Formation ◽  
English Language Teaching ◽  
Formation Theory ◽  
Building Process ◽  
History Of ◽  
English Students

The word-formation theory is often avoided in English language course books and little research is conducted on the pedagogical status of word-building process. However, many researchers and lecturers have realized the effect of teaching word-formation theory in English languages course books. English language lecturers have noted that vocabulary is very important in various subjects of English language branch curricula. For this reason, we must admit that the processes of word-formation, through which every language vocabulary can be enriched, are very important in English language teaching and learning. Word formation components such as prefixes, suffixes, etymology, history of words and other required materials in composing the vocabulary of English language are tested in Aleksandër Moisiu University. The results have revealed a significant and successful effect of teaching Word formation theory, this way showing the colossal importance of this important language aspect in every English language edition course book. This paper has two aims: first to review types of English word-formation and, second, to discuss the absence and the need for word-formation theory in English language course books. Keywords: Word formation, prefixes, suffixes, words, vocabulary.

scholarly journals Using Authentic Materials in the Foreign Language Classrooms: Teacher Attitudes and Perceptions in Libyan Universities

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdulhakim M. Belaid ◽  
Dr. Liam Murray
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
Large Body ◽  
Authentic Materials ◽  
Teachers Perceptions ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Efl Teachers ◽  
Language Classrooms ◽  
The Many

<p>Looking through English as a foreign/ second language EFL /ESL literature, the researcher found a large body of references encouraging the idea of exploiting authentic materials in the process of language teaching. Such strong and positive attitudes toward using such materials could be attributed to the many advantages in improving and developing learners’ language proficiency. Moreover, authentic materials work on intensifying and developing learners’ second language motivation. The current paper is an attempt seeking to recognize deeply and understand the Libyan EFL teachers’ perceptions, attitudes and reactions toward using authentic materials in teaching English within Libyan state universities. EFL teachers from Azzaytuna; Azzawia; Al-Merghib; and Tripoli Universities participated in the current study. The results revealed that most EFL teachers hold positive attitudes to using authentic materials in language teaching. Some EFL teachers furthermore, emphasised on their regular use of the materials in their language classes, which would positively reflect on learners’ language proficiency.         </p>

scholarly journals The Effectiveness of Using Games for Developing Young Learners’ Grammar Competence

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 49-61
Author(s):  
Polona Lilić ◽  
Silva Bratoz
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
Foreign Language Teaching ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
Teaching English ◽  
Grammar Teaching ◽  
English Grammar ◽  
Young Learners ◽  
Teaching Grammar ◽  
Meaningful Communication

The main aim of this paper is to explore the effectiveness of using games in teaching English grammar to young learners. Today there is an overall agreement among researchers in foreign language teaching and language acquisition that grammar should be taught at all levels of instruction, including to young learners, bearing in mind that it should be considered in the context of meaningful communication. The paper first presents a review of the literature in the area of grammar teaching and using games for language teaching purposes. The second part presents the results of an experimental study aimed at testing the hypothesis that activities based on grammar games are a more efficient strategy for teaching grammar than more traditional ELT activities. The results of the experiment prove the efficacy of using grammar games in teaching grammar to young learners.

Tweede-Taalonderwijs Op Maat

1988 ◽  
Vol 31 ◽  
pp. 103-115
Author(s):  
Liza van den Bosch
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
Educational Measurement ◽  
Language Test ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Teaching Materials ◽  
Second Language Teaching ◽  
Educational Activities ◽  
Set Up

The Institute for Educational Measurement (Cito) and Tilburg University have developed an instructional device for second language teaching to adults. It consists of: - a diagnostic language test - a set of teaching materials The diagnostic language test is based on a psycholinguistic model for language proficiency in which several linguistic levels are distinguished (Levelt & Kempen, 1976): phonological level, lexical level, morphological level, syntactic level and text level. The diagnostic language test consists of eleven subtests with which lexical, morphological, syntactic and textual skills can be examined. If test results show lack of proficiency, the additional set of teaching materials can be used in various ways to set up educational activities.

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