Stephen van Vlack
Sookmyung Women`s University
Graduate School of TESOL
Approaches to English Grammar
Policy
Spring 2006
Overview: This three-hour-per-week course is designed to provide students with instruction and practice in how to approach the subject of grammar (linguistic structure) and principally through the English language. Students will be exposed to several different ways of thinking about grammar which differ from the standard modular view and will be expected to develop useful and effective ways for implementing such new ideas. In this way the class will be much heavier on the practice of getting students to understand some fundamental structural elements of English and lighter on the theory of grammar. In addition to focusing on skills, the classroom will serve as a model environment for the student teachers.
Objectives: This course has three main objectives: to get the students to think differently about what grammar is from a more integrated point of view, to have a better control and knowledge of English structural elements, and to develop specific techniques enabling them to be better teachers of grammar. By the end of the course all students should be able to explain grammar more clearly, and efficiently while at the same time integrating such knowledge into a generalized focus on language. Following this, any treatment of grammar should revolve around the meaning intended in the language. Students should be able to link grammar to the function or purpose of the intended message for more efficient and effective practice.
Text and Materials:
Summer reading:
Celce-Murcia, M. and S. Hilles. (1988). Techniques and resources in teaching grammar. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
There are three main texts for this course. We will be using all three of them in their entirety.
-Thornbury, Scott. (1999) How to teach grammar. Essex: Pearson Education.
ISBN: 0582 339324
-Yule, George. (1998) Explaining English grammar. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
ISBN: 0 19 4371727
-Lewis, Michael. (1997) Implementing the lexical approach. Hove: Language Teaching Publications.ISBN: 1 899396 60 8
The students will be doing presentations based on Yule (1998) while the instructor will be covering the other two books.
In addition to the main texts there will also be a large amount of other materials for which the students will be held responsible. These will come in the form of handouts and photocopies provided by the instructor. Do not lose them or forget to bring them to class.
Additional Materials: Students must bring to each class a folder to hold any papers that the instructor gives out.
Methodology
English Only: Students must conduct all course work in English. This means all writing, note-taking, and discussion must be in English. Use of Korean will result in a significantly lower participation grade.
Classroom: Various approaches will be employed in the classroom. Direct lecturing on the part of the instructor will kept to a minimum while group work, presentations, in-class activities, and direct and indirect questioning will be stressed. Remember students, the classroom is supposed to serve as a model. Be critical and observant of what your instructor does.
Attendance: Students are expected to attend all scheduled classes. Two or more absences will result in a significantly lowered final grade. Being late twice is counted as an absence. Arriving more than half an hour late is also counted as an absence. Students themselves are responsible for all material covered and assigned in class during their absence. If you are going to be absent and know it beforehand, make sure you contact your teacher as far in advance as possible.
Assignments
Homework: Students will be given homework for each class. Most of the homework will be either in the form of reading, getting a presentation ready, and grammar exercises. All assignments, unless you are told otherwise, must be typed and handed in during class on the day they are due.
Summer Reading Project: All students are expected to have read the summer reading book Celce-Murcia, M. and S. Hilles. (1988). A write up from the summer reading is due on the second week of the class (September 19th).
Exams
Midterm Exam: The midterm will come in the 8th week of class (October 31st). It will be given in class and will cover the material that has been covered in the first seven weeks of the class.
Final: The final will be a take home exam. It will cover all the material given in the course. It is due no later than December 22nd (this date is subject to change).
Grades: Final grades will be based on performance in the following categories.
Attendance 10%
Assignments 30%
Presentations 10%
Participation 15%
Midterm Exam 10%
Final 25%
Important Notes
-Late assignments will not be accepted for marks and missed in class work cannot be made up. If, however, you know in advance that you will be late or absent make sure you contact the teacher and maybe something can be worked out.
-The penalty for plagiarism and cheating is automatic failure. Don`t try it.
Instructor - Stephen P. van Vlack
Office - Sookmyung Professional Center 410
Tel. - 710-7761
E-mail - [email protected]
Website
There will be a website for this class. Each week both before and after class materials will be added to the site, so make sure you check it regularly. The address is: http://www.geocities.com/utlaagt