Linguistics, Language and Development

Description

A language is primarily a tool for communication, yet many textbooks still treat English grammar as simply a set of rules and facts to be memorized by rote. This new textbook is made for students who are frustrated with this approach and would like to understand grammar and how it works. For example, why are there two future tenses in English? What are auxiliaries, and why are they so confusing? Why are English motion verbs hard to use? Why are determiners so important in English? These and many other frequently asked questions are answered in this handy guide. Student learning is supported with numerous exercises, chapter summaries, and suggestions for further reading. An accompanying website offers further resources, including additional classroom exercises and a chance to interact with the author. It is the essential grammar toolkit for English language and linguistics students and future teachers of English as a Second Language.

This book has been written for, and in consultation with, students preparing for careers as English language professionals. Most such students worldwide are preparing to teach English as a foreign or second language in TESOL, TEFL, or TESL programs. However, “English Grammar,” “The Structure of English,” or other similar course titles are taught in various academic programs, including communication studies, journalism, linguistics, and applied linguistics, to name a few. Therefore, a previous or concurrent course in introduction to linguistics or phonetics would be helpful but is not strictly necessary as a prerequisite to a course that uses this book.