Gobles, Michigan TESOL Online & Teaching English Jobs

This unit gave clear descriptions of the most basics parts of speech of English Grammar. I found this lesson very helpful to give me ways to explain grammar and word usage to others in a very clear and simple manner, with terminology and rules (and exceptions) that are easy to understand and put into use. I have already taught a number of specialized English classes where I focus mainly on pronunciation and conversation. If I need to explain a word usage, and the students ask me why it is used that way, I often tell them that the easiest thing to remember is that every word has its own rule! While it is true that the magnitude of singularities and unique situations in the structure of the English language grammar make it difficult to teach general rules, I can see that teaching some simplified general rules can greatly enhance and speed up a student’s learning. I think the reason for this is that these rules create, in essence, a starting point for the student’s memory. They can connect many “regular” words to these basic rules. And then even the exceptions have something to connect to in the brain. The text in this unit often pointed out things that are difficult for non native learners, and things that they easily confuse. I found this very helpful, and it helps me to be aware of those possibilities when teaching. This unit is the first “grammar” unit, and it focuses on recognizing and classifying the basic parts of speech, which are as follows: 1. NOUNS A. Usage: names people, animals, places, things, qualities, states B. Main Types: common, proper, compound, abstract, collective C. Plurals: usually add an “s”, but there are many exceptions D. Countable vs. Uncountable Nouns, and some that can be both 2. ADJECTIVES A. Usage: describe nouns such as people and things B. Adjective groups: generally follow the order of size>age>color>material>noun C. Comparisons (comparatives): General rule: adj + “...er than”; for 2+ syllables: “more” + adj + “than” D. Comparisons (superlatives): General rule: adj + “...est”; for 3+ syllables: “most” + adj 3. ARTICLES A. Indefinite indicates an indefinite noun, referring to any member of a group. B. Indefinite articles are singular: “a” is used before a noun/adj that begins with a vowel sound; “an” before a consonant sound C. The determining adj “some” is used for plural general words D. Indefinite articles are used to indicate membership of a category or group E. The definite article “the” is used for singular and plural definite nouns, or for something which is unique F. There are specific rules for the geographical use of “the”. G. There is a symbol for the “zero article” used when teaching how general nouns do not use an article H. There are a number of countable nouns that are often treated as uncountable and used with a prep instead of an art. 4. VERBS A. Verbs are what the subject does. Verbs are either transitive or intransitive B. Transitive verbs are always followed directly by an object, except when describing what a person is doing. C. Intransitive verbs can not be followed directly by an object. It simply does an action. D. Some verbs can be either transitive or intransitive depending on usage E. Infinitives are the base form of the verb, preceded by the word “to” F. Some intransitive verbs are followed by an infinitive to denote consequence of an action G. Four principle verb forms: base, past simple, past participle, present participle; some regular, many irregular H. Three auxiliary verbs - do, have, be - In combo with another verb will help form a tense or expression 5. ADVERBS A. Add meaning or information to the action, quality or state denoted by a verb. B. 5 main types of adverbs: manner, place, time, degree, frequency C. Other notable types: comment/attitude, linking, viewpoint, adding/limiting D. Degree adverbs can also modify adjectives and other adverbs E. Most are formed by adding “-ly” to an adjective F. Adverb normally placed after object of transitive verb but immediately after an intransitive verb G. Adverbs of frequency are placed right before the main verb H. Multiple adverbs are generally ordered by place > manner > time I. Most common mistakes lie in spelling and position 6. GERUNDS A. The “-ing” form of a verb used as a noun B. Some certain verbs are usually followed by the gerund form when another verb is used C. Prepositions are sometimes followed by a gerund if an action is indicated 7. PRONOUNS A. Used instead/in place of more precise nouns/noun phrases B. Types: personal, possessive, reflexive, relative C. Common points of confusion: subject/object pronouns; possessive pronouns/adj 8. PREPOSITIONS A. Show the relationship between a noun/pronoun and some other word in the sentence B. Difficult grammatical point due to a lack of uniformity in placement C. Main types: time/date, movement, place/position 9. CONJUNCTIONS A. Join words of the same class B. Join clauses of sentences.