GRAMMAR

GRAMMARTYPES [PRESCRIPTIVE, DESCRIPTIVE, FORMAL AND FUNCTIONAL]

METHODS [INDUCTIVE AND DEDUCTIVE]

SELECTION AND GRADATION OF STRUCTURESWHAT IS GRAMMAR?

Grammar is A description of the structure of a lang. and the way in which linguistic units such as words and phrases are combined to produce sentences in the language. It usually takes into account the meanings and the functions of these sentences have in the overall system of the lang. - Longman Dictionary of Applied Linguistics

It is the practical analysis of a lang. , its anatomy.- Dr. SweetAccording to Chomsky, it is simply a system of rules that in some explicit and well defined way assign structural descriptions to sentences.

Grammar is a system that gives certain rules governing the use of lang. in general and its constituent elements like phonology, morphology, semantics, syntax etc. in particular.TYPES OF GRAMMARPRESCRIPTIVE GRAMMAR [FORMAL/ THEORETICAL/ NORMATIVE GRAMMAR]

DESCRIPTIVE GRAMMAR [FUNCTIONAL/ INCIDENTAL]

TRANSFORMATIONAL GENERATIVE GRAMMAR

HISTORICAL GRAMMAR

COMPARATIVE GRAMMAR

STRUCTURAL GRAMMAR

NOTIONAL- FUNCTIONAL GRAMMAR

PRESCRIPTIVE GRAMMARIt prescribes rules for correct use of language in writing and speech.

The grammar taught in classes was called formal grammar

Rules were laid down at the beginning and use and practice followed.

The ever changing nature of English lang. is neglected in teaching formal grammar.

For dead langs. , it is appropriate, but for living langs. Like English it is inappropriate.

FEATURESTraditional

Written lang. is considered as the basis for the formulation of rules, not the spoken form.

Rules are considered rigid and not to be desecrated.

Any innovation or deviation from the set rules is considered ungrammatical and sinful.

Methodology of teaching is deductive from general rules to particular instances.

Helps to promote the ability to describe lang.DESCRIPTIVE GRAMMARThe rules of grammar collected from the native speakers are encoded, described and used in functional contexts.The learner first uses the lang. and gradually comes to the awareness of rules inductively.It is the grammar that functions spontaneously in speech.Functional grammar learnt incidentally as against theoretical or formal grammar.FEATURESFavours the ability to use lang.Describes grammar more in terms of functions, than forms.Lays emphasis on the usage of language.Use of lang. is promoted irrespective of grammatical correctness of lang.Natural development of correct lang. without any deliberate efforts.METHODSINDUCTIVE METHODMore effectiveBegins from the simple and moves to complex and from particular to general.The teacher presents a text item with examples and illustrations in a systematic order, leading to a general principle.They themselves can draw conclusions from individual examples and arrive at generalizations.Student centered.DEDUCTIVE METHODStarts from a rule and provides to make observations to test the validity of the rules.A rule of grammar is stated and examples are illustrated.Form and correctness of lang. is emphasized, whereas function, meaning and appropriacy neglected.Subject- centered.SELECTION AND GRADATION OF STRUCTURESSelection may be done by the teacher, in respect of grammatical items, vocabulary and structures.Selection and gradation should be based on frequency, teachability, range of applicability, usefulness etc.SELECTIONThe selection of lang. items should be based on these principles.Frequency of lang. item- its occurrenceRange of applicabilityCoverage- a word conveying a no. of meaning, eg. Meals- dinner, breakfast etc.Availability- actual objects available in the class room.TeachabilitylearnabilityGRADATIONMeaning- putting the lang. items in order of presentation.Involves grouping and sequenceAccording to W. R Lee, the basic principle of grading is Teach first those sentences structures, the use of which can be made clear by means of visible actions in the classroom.(a) GROUPINGGroup according to the sound (Phonetic Grouping )Grouping according to words used in the same situation (Lexical Grouping )Patterns of sentences which are similar should be taught together. (Grammatical Grouping )Words that convey similar meanings are grouped together. (Semantic Grouping )How the selected items fit with each other sounds into words, words into phrases, phrases into sentences and sentences into contexts. (Structure Grouping )(b) SEQUENCELexical sequence which words follow whichGrammatical sequence means, which structure follows which S.V.O.Semantic sequence every word has a number of meanings. They are put in order and are taught at different occasions.