Korean Job Discussion Forums

FUBAR · Joined: 21 Oct 2003 Location: The Y.C.

This past week I have allowed my highschool students to study for their final exam. During this time a few of them have asked me questions pertaining to their exam which are to English grammar. For the most part the questions haven't been that difficult to answer. But, I have come to realize that I need to brush up my grammar skills a little.

Does anyone know the name of a small quick reference grammar book that I can purchase at Kyobo bookstore?

Thanks in advance.

gypsyfish · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Location: Seoul

Not small, but good.

Martin Parrot's book. It's at school (I'm, not) but the title is something like Grammar For Teachers.

Mosley · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

The COLLINS GEM little grammar book was a handy thing to keep in one's breast pocket....

TECO · Joined: 20 Jan 2003

Michael Swan Practical English Usage by Oxford.

I really like this reference book.

It was a required text for CELTA.

HamuHamu · Joined: 01 May 2003 Location: Seoul

Zed · Joined: 20 Jan 2003 Location: Shakedown Street

HamuHamu · Joined: 01 May 2003 Location: Seoul

I did my CELTA with International House.

Parrot was our main reference book, but Swan was the 2nd in-line.

I think they just preferred Parrott's book because, as I said, it has the "Areas of Difficulty" for each grammar point, and thus was a good help for us in planning our lessons. That said, it was a bit of a Catch-22, because anytime we stated what our "expected difficulties" were for the lesson, they always caught someone with the "You just took that from Parrott, you didn't think of anything YOURSELF.." Mad

I also have Swan's book, but I don't find it as clear and easy to sort through.

Zed · Joined: 20 Jan 2003 Location: Shakedown Street

I might have to check that out. I found Swan a little ambiguous in areas as well but generally good.

TECO · Joined: 20 Jan 2003

I haven't had any problems with Swan's book - really helpful.

There is also a "student's" Edition of this book.

I don't know the other one you're talking about - I'll have to check it out. But so far, Swan's book is what I've been using. I have had to learn how to use the book though. A little confusing at first.

I used Swan during my CELTA to prepare to high light grammar and I had no problems.

I keep it in my office at work and still use it as a reference.

thorin · Joined: 14 Apr 2003

I kind of wish the Swan index gave the page number instead of the topic number, but once you get used to it, it's a highly useful reference.

gypsyfish · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Location: Seoul

Swann is okay, but I stand by Parrott for the above listed reasons.

noelinkorea · Joined: 09 Apr 2003 Location: Shinchon, Seoul

I had a similar problem to the OP, and I went to Kyobo bookstore and found a great book. It's called "An A - Z of English Grammar and Usage: New Edition" by Leech, G. et al . The book is more than 600 pages and cost just 16 000 won...cheap as! The best thing about the book is that it covers everything, and it's all in the clear-cut descriptions and basic English - this kept it simple for me and my students. I have found that it explains everything well enough for my students' understanding. It enumerates all of the essential grammar points and exceptions.

Here is an Amazon link (for some reason it is rather expensive on the website, but again on 16 000 won at Kyobo):

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0582405742/qid=1103975552/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/102-3749685-7880950?v=glance&s=books