AJ2203 Grammar A

Faculty of Education
Autumn 2018
Extent and Intensity
0/2/0. 2 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Renata Jančaříková, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
doc. Mgr. Olga Dontcheva-Navrátilová, Ph.D.
Department of English Language and Literature – Faculty of Education
Contact Person: Jana Popelková
Supplier department: Department of English Language and Literature – Faculty of Education
Timetable of Seminar Groups
AJ2203/01: Mon 11:00–12:50 učebna 42, R. Jančaříková
AJ2203/02: Mon 8:00–9:50 učebna 56, R. Jančaříková
AJ2203/03: Wed 8:00–9:50 učebna 6, R. Jančaříková
AJ2203/04: Thu 8:00–9:50 učebna 54, R. Jančaříková
AJ2203/05: Thu 16:00–17:50 učebna 6, R. Jančaříková
AJ2203/06: Wed 15:00–16:50 učebna 54, R. Jančaříková
AJ2203/07: Wed 12:00–13:50 učebna 32, R. Jančaříková
Prerequisites
B2 level and higher.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The course 'Grammar A' is designed for the 1st year students and as such it summarises and develops the students' knowledge of English grammar. The entry level is expected to be at least B2. As it is the first grammar course in the programme, the aim is also to help students adapt to a university style of teaching.
The main objective of the course is to consolidate and further develop the students' knowledge of grammar by presenting grammar as a system whose elements are interconnected and influence each other. Grammar is studied as a complex whole with focus on functions and meanings and mutual comparison of grammar features that help students understand the grammar system as such. The course also includes basic linguistic terminology, the knowledge of which is essential for the students' independent work with the course materials and recommended sources as well as their future studies (courses in English syntax mainly). Students will be able to (SWBAT) compare sentences in terms of grammar and meaning, as well as compare Czech and English grammar where such comparison is noteworthy; SWBAT correct mistakes in sentences and explain their corrections; SWBAT provide explanations and examples of their own to illustrate the grammar points discussed; SWBAT analyze stretches of language and justify choices of structures, tenses, articles, etc., and identify the speaker's attitudes and intentions.
The course is based on 'A Student's Grammar of the English Language' by Sidney Greenbaum and Randolph Quirk as the main study material. Chapters discussed include: A general framework, Verbs and auxiliaries and The Semantics of the verb phrase, i.e. Chapters 2,3,4.
Learning outcomes
Students will be able to: analyse a simple sentence (sentence elements and phrases);
distinguish between types of verb (transitive, intransitive, linking);
understand the difference between finite and non-finite forms and clauses;
use English tenses in context and understand differences between tenses;
idenify and explain the verbal categories of tense, voice and mood and aspect;
make examples of their own to demonstrate understanding of the above
identify and correct mistakes in the use of the above
Syllabus
  • 1. Basic syntactic terminology: sentence and sentence structure; sentence elements; types of phrase (e.g. noun phrase and verb phrase); types of verbs (transitive, intransitive, linking); sentence v. clause; simple vs. multiple sentence (complex vs. compound)
  • 2.Basic linguistic terminology (general): markedness; types of reference (generic vs. specific); open v. closed word classes (including new words in English); pro-forms; ellipsis; assertive vs. non-assertive use
  • 3. Main verbs - finite vs. non-finite forms, verb phrases and clauses; spelling changes; irregular verbs; verb phrase structure
  • 4. Primary auxiliaries - be, do and have, and their uses and functions; subject vs. object vs. adverbial questions
  • 5. Modal auxiliaries - marginal modal auxiliaries (dare, need, used to, would for past habits); modal idioms; semi-auxiliaries (modality in detail is covered in syntax courses in 2nd year)
  • 6. Passive - structure and meaning; reasons for using the passive; comparison with the passive in Czech; reasons for using the passive; agent; passive in all tenses
  • 7. Reported speech - reported statements, commands, questions; sequence of tenses
  • 8. Present tenses - present simple vs. present continuous; tense vs. time (present tense with past reference); mutural comparison and practice; + Subjunctive
  • 9. Past tenses - past simple vs. past continuous; used to vs. would; mutual comparison and practice
  • 10. The perfect - present perf. simple and cont.; past perfect simple and cont. and comparison with past tenses
  • 11. Expressing future - structures used to express the future in English, i.e. going to vs. will, future continuous, future perfect, be to, be about to, etc.
Literature
    required literature
  • QUIRK, Randolph and Sidney GREENBAUM. A Student s Grammar of the English Language. 1. vyd. London: Longman, 1990, 490 s. ISBN 0-582-07569-6. info
  • CHALKER, Sylvia. A student's English grammar : workbook. First published. Harlow: Longman, 1992, 186 stran. ISBN 0582088194. info
    recommended literature
  • ALEXANDER, L. G. Longman English grammar. Edited by R. A. Close. London: Longman, 1988, x, 374. ISBN 0582558921. info
  • DUŠKOVÁ, Libuše. Mluvnice současné angličtiny na pozadí češtiny. 3. vyd. Praha: Academia, 2003, 673 s. ISBN 8020010734. info
  • MURPHY, Raymond. Essential grammar in use : a self-study reference and practice book for intermediate students : with answers. 2nd ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2003, x, 350. ISBN 052143680X. info
  • POVOLNÁ, Renata. Grammar. 1. dotisk 1. vydání. Brno: Masarykova univerzita v Brně, 2002, 99 stran. ISBN 8021023112. info
  • HEWINGS, Martin. Advanced grammar in use with answers : a self-study reference and practice book for advanced learners of English. 1st pub. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1999, ix, 340. ISBN 0521498694. info
  • PRODROMOU, Luke. Grammar and vocabulary for first certificate. Harlow: Longman, 1999, 319 s. ISBN 0-582-40018-X. info
  • SIDE, Richard and Guy WELLMAN. Grammar and vocabulary for Cambridge advanced and proficiency : fully updated for the revised CPE. Harlow: Longman, 2002, 288 s. ISBN 0582518210. info
  • SWAN, Michael. Practical English usage. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991, Nestr. ISBN 0194274039. info
  • SPARLING, Don. English or Czenglish? : jak se vyhnout čechismům v angličtině. 1. vyd. Praha: Státní pedagogické nakladatelství, 1989, 274 s. info
Teaching methods
Homework, self-study, class discussion, pair work, group work, on-line discussions, online quizze
Assessment methods
Requirements:
1.ATTENDANCE - compulsory 80%
2. HOMEWORK/ SELF-STUDY/ CLASS PARTICIPATION- the work in class is based on the materials that the students study prior to the seminar; SELF-STUDY is absolutely essential in the course
3. MOODLE SELF-TESTS(11 tests)- done by the deadlines specified (see the moodle course)
4. 2 PROGRESS TESTS - Topics 1-4; Topics 5-9
5. FINAL TEST in the exam period (70%)
Methods of assessment: progress tests, online quizzes, final test, online discussions
For more info and details of assessment, see the moodle course.
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
Listed among pre-requisites of other courses
Teacher's information
http://moodlinka.ics.muni.cz/course/view.php?id=2774
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2017, Autumn 2019, autumn 2020, Autumn 2021, Autumn 2022, Autumn 2023, Autumn 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2018, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/ped/autumn2018/AJ2203