beginners' first English expressions!

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azamouri
Posts: 43
Joined: Sat Jul 21, 2007 7:56 pm
Location: Morocco

beginners' first English expressions!

Post by azamouri » Thu Jul 26, 2007 11:59 am

hello again,
I am writing a book about the English grammar. I need to know which is very useful:
to teach beginners expressions like:

what's your name?
how are you?
where do you live?
etc

or begin with content words (verbs, adjectives...) and function words (prepositions, pronouns...) to make these beginners able to build complete English sentences on their own?

metal56
Posts: 3032
Joined: Tue Mar 25, 2003 4:30 am

Re: beginners' first English expressions!

Post by metal56 » Thu Jul 26, 2007 12:21 pm

azamouri wrote:hello again,
I am writing a book about the English grammar. I need to know which is very useful:
to teach beginners expressions like:

what's your name?
how are you?
where do you live?
etc

or begin with content words (verbs, adjectives...) and function words (prepositions, pronouns...) to make these beginners able to build complete English sentences on their own?
Writing a book about English grammar? Are you qualified for that?

azamouri
Posts: 43
Joined: Sat Jul 21, 2007 7:56 pm
Location: Morocco

Post by azamouri » Thu Jul 26, 2007 4:33 pm

the book will be for beginners and intermediates. I collected the needed information and I am trying to paraphrase them into my style. I correct my mistakes. it will take at least 3 months to write my first draft then It will be available in at most one year.

the book will tackle the content words, function words and sentence building (subject-predicate analysis).

if there are any suggestions please write them!

Abdelhak

Stephen Jones
Posts: 1421
Joined: Sun May 18, 2003 5:25 pm

Post by Stephen Jones » Thu Jul 26, 2007 4:35 pm

if there are any suggestions please write them!
Take a couple of years to learn to use English grammar yourself.

azamouri
Posts: 43
Joined: Sat Jul 21, 2007 7:56 pm
Location: Morocco

Post by azamouri » Thu Jul 26, 2007 6:29 pm

thank you Mr. Stephan Jones for your suggestion. I decided to learn how to write a book by myself with the least borrowed information.
I am still waiting for an answer for the previous question about teaching beginners.

<<I need to know which is very useful:
to teach beginners expressions like:

what's your name?
how are you?
where do you live?
etc

or begin with content words (verbs, adjectives...) and function words (prepositions, pronouns...) to make these beginners able to build complete English sentences on their own?>>

metal56
Posts: 3032
Joined: Tue Mar 25, 2003 4:30 am

Post by metal56 » Thu Jul 26, 2007 9:16 pm

Stephen Jones wrote:
if there are any suggestions please write them!
Take a couple of years to learn to use English grammar yourself.
Good advice.

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Lorikeet
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Location: San Francisco, California
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Post by Lorikeet » Fri Jul 27, 2007 6:18 am

azamouri wrote:thank you Mr. Stephan Jones for your suggestion. I decided to learn how to write a book by myself with the least borrowed information.
I am still waiting for an answer for the previous question about teaching beginners.

<<I need to know which is very useful:
to teach beginners expressions like:

what's your name?
how are you?
where do you live?
etc

or begin with content words (verbs, adjectives...) and function words (prepositions, pronouns...) to make these beginners able to build complete English sentences on their own?>>
How can you write a book if you don't know what you want to teach? You need to make a plan of what you are going to do, and what exercises you plan, etc. Most people who write books have the plan in mind before they start.

metal56
Posts: 3032
Joined: Tue Mar 25, 2003 4:30 am

Post by metal56 » Fri Jul 27, 2007 7:15 am

Lorikeet wrote:
How can you write a book if you don't know what you want to teach? You need to make a plan of what you are going to do, and what exercises you plan, etc. Most people who write books have the plan in mind before they start.
How true. This poster's request sounds like "I want you to write a book for me".

Anuradha Chepur
Posts: 234
Joined: Sat Jun 10, 2006 8:33 am
Location: India

Post by Anuradha Chepur » Fri Jul 27, 2007 8:59 am

Get it ghost written.

metal56
Posts: 3032
Joined: Tue Mar 25, 2003 4:30 am

Post by metal56 » Fri Jul 27, 2007 9:09 am

Anuradha Chepur wrote:Get it ghost written.
That's the spirit.

:lol:

jotham
Posts: 509
Joined: Thu Nov 16, 2006 12:51 am

Post by jotham » Fri Jul 27, 2007 11:15 am

This poster's request sounds like "I want you to write a book for me".
That sounds like a divine idea.
I'm going to write a book about rabbits. It'll be simple — so I don't need no references, experiences, and all that jazz. I'll just pick y'alls brains.
Now...should I talk about their physiology (ears, tail)...or behavior (fast, proud)...or should I write about turtles instead?
Last edited by jotham on Thu Aug 09, 2007 11:18 am, edited 2 times in total.

azamouri
Posts: 43
Joined: Sat Jul 21, 2007 7:56 pm
Location: Morocco

misunderatanding

Post by azamouri » Fri Jul 27, 2007 4:37 pm

Hello guys,
may be you misunderstand me. I don't want you to help write the book but only tell me with what is the most plan, not content or information in grammar, to begin with expressions or tackling parts of speech in detail.

I didn't ask anyone to write me the book. Try to understand my question please. and try to answer without any sarcasm or irony.

Finally I repeat I want your opinions not data!

Thank you

jotham
Posts: 509
Joined: Thu Nov 16, 2006 12:51 am

Post by jotham » Sat Jul 28, 2007 2:59 am

I was just joshing. I don't think anyone misunderstands you or is upset about it. I think they were just amused; I couldn't keep myself from laughing reading everyone else's comments. Anyhow, I don't know what the difference is between content and function words. I think most textbooks try to strike a balance between expressions and grammar; both are key. The balance may differ depending on if your audience are kids or adults. I doubt you'd want strict grammar lessons with students spewing English like some computer translation program. Students would never know to say "Good morning" just being exposed to grammar alone. You'll probably want to supplement some grammar with a primary emphasis on everyday useful phrases. But don't quote me (or plagiarize me.)

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