Job Discussion Forums

[basiltherat]

Hi
Does anyone have any advice on/experience with teaching the English Articles ? Is it a good idea to teach the numerous intracacies of each, do you think ? Or is it better to have students get accustomed to their usages through natural progression. The definite article seems to have numerous exceptions in usage; so much so that it becomes mind-boggling.



The car has transformed the way we travel.
(No Article) Cars have transformed the way we travel.

A car has 4 wheels
(No Article) Cars have 4 wheels

A camera has a lens.
The camera was first introduced in ...(year)....
(No Article) Cameras were first introduced in .... (year) ....
(No Article) Cameras have lenses (?)
(No Article) Cameras have a lens.

Thanks for any comments

regards
basil

[Glenski]

Aside from various idioms and slang, articles seem to be the last thing that people get perfected.

Look at the book "Three Little Words, A An and The". It's about sixty pages long. Plenty of intricasies to teach (and get lost in).

[China Dim Drone]

I heard it on TV.

I heard it on the TV.

I heard it on the radio.

* I heard it on radio.

[basiltherat]

so i guess the conclusion is as i suspected.
thanks
basil