Grammar for Teachers: A Guide to American English for Native and Non-Native Speakers (Springer Texts in Education)

Updated and revised with more examples and expanded discussions, this second edition continues the aim of providing teachers with a solid understanding of the use and function of grammatical structures in American English. The book avoids jargon and presents essential grammatical structures clearly and concisely. Dr. DeCapua approaches grammar from a descriptive rather than a prescriptive standpoint, discussing differences between formal and informal language, and spoken and written English. The text draws examples from a wide variety of authentic materials to illustrate grammatical concepts. The many activities throughout the book engage users in exploring the different elements of grammar and in considering how these elements work together to form meaning. Users are encouraged to tap into their own, often subconscious, knowledge of grammar to consciously apply their knowledge to their own varied teaching settings. The text also emphasizes the importance of understanding grammar from the perspective of English language learners, an approach that allows teachers to better appreciate the difficulties these learners face. Specific areas of difficulties for learners of English are highlighted throughout. Grammar for Teachers: A Guide to American English for Native and Non-Native Speakers is a result of my frustrations over many years of teaching graduate-level structure courses and not being able to?nd an appropriate grammar text for the pre- and in-service teachers enrolled in these classes. The students in these courses have represented a variety of teaching backgrounds: ESL and EFL teachers, native and non-nativespeakersof English,and mainstreamcontent-areateacherswith ESL students in their classes, to name a few. Some of these students have had a strong knowledge of English grammar, but often have dif?culties in applying their kno- edge to real-life discourse. Other students'exposure has been limited to lessons in “correctness,” and are generally unaware of which language features are central to teaching ESL/EFL learners. Some students are resistant to taking this course, but are required to do so, whether to satisfy speci?c degree requirements, for state or professional certi?cation, or for other reasons. A few students have had some l- guistics, many not. The challenge has been?nding a way to convey the essentials of AmericanEnglishgrammarclearly,toengagestudentsactivelyin theirownlearning and understanding of grammar as applicable to ESL/EFL learners, and to motivate them to undertake perceptive analyses of grammatical elements and structures, and of ESL/EFL learner needs and dif?culties. The overall aim of Grammar for Teachers is to make grammar accessible and comprehensible. "The purpose of Grammar for Teachers is to encourage readers to develop a solid understanding of the use and function of grammatical structures in American English. It approaches grammar from a descriptive rather than a prescriptive approach; however, throughout Grammar for Teachers differences between formal and informal language, and spoken and written English are discussed. Grammar for Teachers avoids jargon or excessive use of technical terminology and reviews essential grammar structures clearly and concisely." "The text encourages users to tap into their own, often subconscious, knowledge of English grammar and to make it a conscious knowledge they can apply to their own varied teaching settings. Grammar for Teachers emphasizes grammar from the perspective of learners of English, an approach that allows teachers to better appreciate the language difficulties learners of English face in ESL or mainstream classrooms. Discussions of areas of difficulties for learners of English are included throughout the text."--Jacket The purpose of Grammar for Teachers is to encourage readers to develop a solid understanding of the use and function of grammatical structures in American English. It approaches grammar from a descriptive rather than a prescriptive approach; however, throughout the book differences between formal and informal language, and spoken and written English are discussed. The book avoids jargon or excessive use of technical terminology. It makes the study of grammar interesting and relevant by presenting grammar in context and by using authentic material from a wide variety of sources. Annotation The purpose of this book is to encourage readers to develop a solid understanding of the use and function of grammatical structures in American English. It approaches grammar from a descriptive rather than a prescriptive approach