Grammar and Sentences “It is impossible ..to teach English grammar in the schools for the simple reason that no one knows exactly what it is” Government Report 1921

AIMS To develop an understanding of grammar To be able to use appropriate language confidently and precisely to discuss grammar To relate grammatical understanding to your own teaching and supporting roles within the classroom and with reference to the adult curriculum.

By the end of the session you will be able to: To recognise the importance of grammar in language and hold a workable definition of grammar and the teaching of it Hold a workable definition of sentences Identify word classes and sentence types Identify the differences between sentences, clauses and phrases Link your knowledge to the core curriculum

What is our group definition of grammar?

Opinions about teaching grammar Learning about grammar is first and foremost a question of learning its grammar It is the language teacher’s responsibility to know as much as possible about the language itself. Grammar is best learner deductively-that is,by studying rules and then applying rules to examples. Grammatical terminology is best avoided in the classroom. Language should always be studied in its typical contexts of use, rather than in isolation.

What is a sentence? A group of words that starts with a capital letter and ends with a full stop. A string of words that carries completeness of thought A set of words expressing a statement, a question or an order,usually containing a subject and a verb. The largest structural unit in terms of which the grammar of a language is organised. A number of words making a complete grammatical structure,in writing begun with a capital letter and ended with a full stop or equivalent.

What are the elements of a sentence? Match the following Subject gives further information (completes) other information Verb identifies what or who is the clause topic Object adds extra information about time,manner,place or time of the situation Complement identifies who or what is affected by an action Adverbial the clause element that typically expresses an event,action or state From Scott Thornbury, About Language

3 types of sentences Simple Compound Complex

3 types of sentences Simple The cat sat on the mat. Compound The cat sat on the mat and the mouse looked on. Complex The cat,which was grey, sat on the mat. What are the differences between them?

What if you are not a sentence? You are a phrase You are a clause and could be a main clause (independent) or a subordinate clause (dependent) Guess the clauses in the sentence below “ I’m going to play the piece by Mozart and she will play the piece by Chopin although she has not practised.”

Sentence Elements Matching game Subject Verb Object Complement Adverbial Gives further information about some other element Identifies what or who is the topic of the clause or agent of the verb Adds extra information about time,manner or place etc. of situation. Identifies who or what is affected by an action Element that typically expresses an event,action or state

What words make sentences? The 8 word classes Noun Preposition Pronoun Conjunction Verb Determiner Adjective Adverb Find examples of these word classes in the Kate Winslet text