Grammar 101

Metalanguage - The awareness of one’s own

language use

Learning Objectives

To review areas of grammar knowledge that are required to excel in upper primary levels.

To build the foundation for learning better and easier through the understanding of how metalanguage works.

IntroductionThe word 'meta' means 'self-awareness'For example, 'metacognition' means being aware

of one's own thoughts.Metalanguage then refers to an awareness of one's

own language as it is being used.Our metalanguage ability is directly related to our

knowledge of grammar and vocabulary since both these form the mechanics – the bedrock – of language.

Metalanguage in useAs an illustration, let’s read the following sentence: “The boys is noisy and must saw the principle soon.”Having metalanguage is to have an awareness that

something is not quite right. The way you read it, it sounds funny. Isn't it?

There are two errors: ‘boys is’ – boys are (Subject-verb agreement) and,‘must saw’ – must see (Modal Use)

Metalanguage explained

Metalanguage is the ability to sense that something is wrong with a sentence construction and explain it.

It takes proficiency in grammar – the rules on language use – to be able to know that a sentence is grammatically wrong and state the reasons.

Metalanguage in useHow then is this metalanguage developed?Through the consistent and persistent use of

language, your proficiency in it, trained and guided by an competent user like your trainer, increases. It bears repeating then that metalanguage is formed and becomes highly-refined over time after practice.

Metalanguage also involves a working knowledge of the terms used in language. If not, the errors you make will be nameless!

Developing MetalanguageThroughout this course, we will be developing some

key areas of grammar knowledge to know the rules in using English:

1) prefixes, suffixes, root words, parts of speech 2) tenses – past, past continuous and past perfect3) Subject-verb agreement – rules for nouns and verbs

in a sentence4) Connector – addition, exclusion, emphasis and

cause-effect5) Sentence formation – simple, complex, compound

ActivityIdentify and explain the errors in the following

sentences: 1) “It was great as it is fun swim.”2) “I would never forgot what 3) “Mark never recovered and was subconscious after

the accident.”4) “Although he is smart but he is lazy.”5) “The passer-bys all stood and watched.”6) “All the running and play has worn him out.”

Metalanguage's top 5 benefits1) It gives you a vocabulary for your mistakes so

you remember them.2) It helps you to communicate with your teacher

as you use a standard way of explaining errors. 3) It allows self-correction, having learnt the rules

of language, to identify and avoid them.4) It forms the basis for building further knowledge

in vocabulary and grammar5) It builds your confidence that you are learning

the correct things in language.

Discussion

1) What do you think is the reason why students make lots of grammar mistakes?

2) State two benefits of being proficient in metalanguage.

Discussion (with suggested answers)1) What do you think is the reason why students

make lots of grammar mistakes?They are not proficient in metalanguage – the

understanding of how grammar works so as to identify and explain grammar rules

2) State two benefits of being proficient in metalanguage.

1st – it gives us self-correction ability2nd – it gives us confidence when using language

In Summary• The ability of using language accurately

according to grammar rules carries great weightage in English Language.

• Metalanguage – or the ability to understand one’s own use of language – is built from a strong grasp of grammar rules.

• Good metalanguage – to be able to identify and explain grammar errors or poor language use – helps us in correcting our own language mistakes.