Cutting-edge in its approach and international in its authorship, this fourth monograph in a series sponsored by the Chinese Language Teachers Association features eight research studies that explore a variety of themes, topics, and perspectives important to a variety of stakeholders in the Chinese language learning community. Employing a wide…

A theory introduced by Ronald Langacker is used to analyze the English modal auxiliary verb system. The theory synthesizes generative semantics and notions from cognitive psychology, and posits a close link between form and meaning and denies the existence of autonomous syntactic and semantic components in linguistic structure. The intent of the…

This book includes 85 ideas for the teaching of grammar, contributed by teachers of English as a Second Language from varied countries. The ideas are organized in 10 sections that include specific aspects of grammar and grammar topics at the discourse level. These include: noun phrases and clauses (adjectives and nouns, articles, subject-verb…

Proposes that a traditional rule of French grammar concerning the impersonal expression (il + est + adjective + de + infinitive) is so oversimplified as to be fallacious and untenable. (MSE)

This elementary school, intermediate level curriculum guide for English as a second language (ESL) contains introductory sections on the program's educational objectives and philosophy, outlines for 10 units on basic elements of grammar, and an appendix. Each unit outline includes a listing of structural items, cultural concepts, lexical items,…

An approach to teaching the paradigmatic and reciprocal uses of the "se" construction in Spanish is presented. A system of eight basic categories of the paradigmatic reflexives is outlined, including "do-it-yourself," reciprocal, reflexive of change, consumer, reflexive of interest, optional, change of meaning, and reflexive-only classifications.…

Instructional materials for the preterite tense in Spanish are based on Robert Terry's technique of using familiar stories in the foreign language, written in the present tense, which students must place in the past by changing verb forms. The objective is to avoid the disadvantages of simply translating verb tenses and to allow the student to get…

Instructional materials for the passe compose and imperfect tenses in French use the technique of presenting familiar stories in the foreign language, written in the present tense, which students must place in the past by changing verb forms. The objective is to avoid the disadvantages of simply translating verb tenses and to allow the student to…

Theoretical assumptions and consequences of the Markedness Differential Hypothesis (MDH) are compared with the Contrastive Analysis Hypothesis, and empirical evidence favoring the former is reviewed. Pedagogical implications of the MDH, a strategy for interlanguage-intervention, and several problems revealed in the literature are discussed. (MSE)

This discussion of English participles is intended to aid teachers of English as a second language in both understanding and teaching their use. The forms, functions (as verbs and adjectives), and meanings of participles are first outlined, and an approach for presenting this information to students is detailed. It begins with establishing a…

The use of small cards containing grammatical forms for classroom second language practice is explained, and suggestions for designing card sets are made. The technique involves pairing students, providing each with a different but related card, and requiring them to work together to answer each other's question. Cards may contain a variety of…

The earlier composition is introduced in language instruction, the sooner students see it as a means for self-expression. However, beginning students have not learned enough grammar to produce intelligible compositions and intermediate students frequently have difficulty in synthesizing what they have learned. Thus the teacher must try to correct…

Derivations of the term "gerund" are examined as they pertain to native English speakers learning French, Italian, and/or Spanish. The form's etymology is chronicled from Latin, and its current usage in student textbooks in the three languages is examined. A solution to the terminological confusion surrounding the term is proposed. (41…

The instructional techniques and materials for classroom use presented are based on a three-tiered model for the practice of grammatical structures that avoids the common problem of trying to elicit normal, spontaneous conversation. Situations are devised that by their nature tend to evoke only particular structures. The first tier of the model…

The third in a series of three volumes comprising a college-level course in Kikuyu, a Bantu language, this document contains four essays on the structure of the Kikuyu language, transcripts of taped paradigms, nine conversations, sixteen texts, and a glossary. The four essays, which are intended to supplement grammatical explanations, cover the…