Focus On Grammar

Through controlled and communicative exercises this text helps students to bridge the gap between identifying grammatical structures and using them. Each unit progresses through four steps: grammar in context, grammar presentation, focused practice and communication practice. Includes circling, matching, filling-in-the-blank, underlining, correcting, completion, short answer and writing exercises.

Focus on Grammar and Meaning explores how to teach grammar effectively to second or foreign language learners aged 5–18. It provides teachers with research insights that will help them to reflect on their classroom practice and enable them to experiment with different ways of teaching grammar. Taking a ‘systemic-functional’ approach, the authors emphasize the importance of linking language and meaning in teaching. Key research studies on grammar instruction are featured, examples from real classroom practice are examined, and activities are provided to help teachers relate the content to their own teaching context. Additional online resources at www.oup.com/elt/teacher/fogm Luciana C. de Oliveira is Associate Professor of TESOL and Applied Linguistics at Teachers College, Columbia University, New York. Mary J. Schleppegrell is Professor of Education at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

The grammar of focus has been studied in generative grammar from its inception. It has been the subject of intense, detailed cross-linguistic investigation for over 20 years, particularly within the Principles and Parameters framework. It is appropriate at this point, therefore, to take stock. Appraisal at this particular point is all the more legitimate because it comes at a time of general evaluation of the results of the profound activity that has characterized the Principles and Parameters framework. This general assessment has produced a radical new direction within that framework. The volume starts off with an introductory chapter that aims to provide an outline for the assessment, to be followed by an overview of the evolution of the study of focus in generative grammar, and a recapitulation of the principal issues associated with focus. These issues are taken up in the remaining chapters of the book, where various grammatical means of marking focus (as well as grammaticalization of focus marking) are analyzed in a wide variety of languages.

Recent SLA research recognizes the necessity of attention to grammar and demonstrates that form-focused instruction is especially effective when it is incorporated into a meaningful communicative context. Designed specifically for second-language teachers, this text identifies and explores the various options for integrating a focus on grammar and a focus on communication in classroom contexts and offers concrete examples of teaching activities for each option. Each chapter includes a description of the option, its theoretical and empirical background, examples of activities illustrating in a non-technical manner how it can be implemented in the classroom, questions for reflection, and a list of useful resources that teachers can consult for further information.

"A unique four-step approach, moving students from context into communication [with] the full integration of language skills providing a complete program for language learners [and] a variety of ongoing assessment tools [to] ensure that progress is measurable."--Page 4 of cover.

This Value Pack consists of two items: Focus on Grammar 3 Student Book with MyEnglishLab (catalog price $54.98) Focus on Grammar 3 Workbook ($22.99) If you bought these items separately, you would pay $77.97. The special Value Pack price is only $64.99 (nearly $13.00 in savings!). � Focus on Grammar maintains the proven pedagogy that makes it the most popular contextualized grammar series worldwide. Its unique four-step approach takes students from context to communication -- blending content, reading, writing, listening, speaking and critical thinking in a complete program, and preparing students to understand and use English more effectively. � Centered on thematic instruction Focus on Grammar allows students to interact with grammar in realistic contexts and moves them beyond controlled practice to authentic communication. � New features include: Updated high-interest readings in multiple genres that expose students to the form, meaning, and use of grammar in natural contexts. Key vocabulary is taught, practiced, and recycled throughout each unit, to ensure acquisition. Fully redesigned grammar charts and notes that provide greater clarity. Explicit pronunciation activities to improve fluency and accuracy. Expanded listening tasks allow students to develop a range of listening skills. Flexible, ongoing assessment -- including unit reviews, diagnostic and achievement tests, and test-generating software -- allows students to monitor their own progress and teachers to track students' mastery. (Test and test-generating software available in the Teacher's Resource Pack, available separately.) MyEnglishLab: Focus on Grammar, an easy-to-use online learning and assessment program, offers online homework and individualized instruction anywhere, anytime. Allows teachers to assign extra practice, organize homework, and track students' progress using a flexible gradebook. Includes hundreds of new automatically graded activities and assessments that support and go beyond the material in the Student Book. MyEnglishLab: Focus on Grammar, includes the complete Student Book listening program as well.