Functional English Grammar: An Introduction for Second Language Teachers

by Graham Lock

Book Overview

This book explores how English grammar enables speakers and writers to represent the world, to interact with one another, and to create coherent messages. This book provides second language teachers with a functional description of English grammar, in which grammar is viewed as a communicative resource. Each chapter includes a focus on areas of difficulty for second language learners, numerous authentic examples, tasks that allow the reader to apply the concepts introduced, and discussion questions. A final chapter covers issues in the learning and teaching of grammar, and reviews methodological options for the second or foreign language classroom. Assuming no previous study of linguistics or English grammar, this book is suitable for self-study or as a textbook in teacher education programs.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0521459222
• ISBN13: 9780521459228
• Release Date: October 1995
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Length: 312 Pages
• Weight: 1.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.0" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

Actually Pretty Cool!

Straight up, I really like this book. I have seen a few functional grammar books, or books that have "leaned" in that direction, and they have either been very close to Murphy-esque stuff or have been very complex, like Halliday's formidable tome. Lock seems to have found a balance of function and understandable content. The book is logically organised and represents good chunks of information arranged according to various functions. Noun groups, ("representing things"), various verbs, complex sentences, speech acts and a whole tonne more are there. Each chapter has a decent amount of detail, lots of examples illustrating the point and giving everything a good overall coverage. The bottom line is that there is virtually no strain on the reader in getting their head around it all. Lock is very succinct and wastes no paper or words. All in all, Graham Lock's "Functional Grammar" is a great resource for teachers, and one that should be counted on the bookselves of anyone wanting a good functional explanation of grammatical aspects of English. As mentioned, I REALLY like this book and found it very useful.