Winning With Grammar – Part 1

Description

by Bonnie Paull

From the author:

I highly recommend these workbooks to anyone wishing to instruct adults in grammar in a way that is clear, simple, and not frustrating for a student or teacher.

This is a book about the English language and how to get better at using it.

What is language?

DEFINITION: Language means the use of either spoken or written words to express thought.

DISCUSSION: The word language comes from Latin. Latin was spoken hundreds of years ago in the country now known as Italy. In Latin, language meant tongue. All people of the world have language.

Students will find Workbook 1 very helpful since definitions depend both on meaning and grammatical usage. Students master the meaning of words and how they are used.

Question and confusions about English inhibit students’ natural desire to communicate. As these are handled, you will see improvements in students’ ability to speak and write English, which is the purpose for teaching grammar.

I got countless comments like, ‘I didn’t get this in school’ or, ‘NOW I know what that means!’ The best part is their writing improved.

In Workbook 2 students learn how to put it all together for clear and meaningful communication.

Insecurities about grammar and what is correct or incorrect can severely limit willingness and abili­ty to communicate with others. Many of my students have expressed this fear in words like these:

“I’m afraid to open my mouth at work. Everyone is pretty well educated. I’m afraid of making a mistake and being laughed at.”

“I write as little as possible. I have so many questions about right and wrong; I get all tangled up.”

“I don’t read much and I never write. I watch too much TV and that’s not OK. But I’m uncomfortable with written words.”

When these students finished Winning With Grammar, Basic Workbooks One and Two, their attitudes about themselves and the English language had totally changed. They gained confidence in themselves and their ability to communicate their thoughts by speak­ing and writing. This can happen to you.

An accomplished American writer, William Zinsser, gives us some words to remember:

“Far too many Americans are prevented from doing useful work because they never learned to express themselves. Contrary to general belief, writing isn’t something that only ‘writers’ do; writing is a basic skill for getting through life. . .Writing. . .isn’t a spe­cial language that belongs to English teachers or a few sensitive souls who have a ‘gift for words.’ Writing is thinking on paper.” (Writing to Learn; New York: Harper & Row Publishing Inc., 1988, pp. 10-11)

Word Corner Publishing, 227 pgs, paperback or download