EDN 312
English Grammar for Teachers
Summer 2009
Catalog Description: This course is designed to explore language, English grammar,
mechanics, and usage from a pedagogical perspective. Students will explore the
structure of the English language with emphasis placed on how to teach grammatical
concepts to others.
Conceptual Framework: This course supports the key components of the College of
Arts and Sciences Mission Statement. The College of Arts and Sciences is committed
to excellence in teaching, scholarship and artistic achievement, and service. The
college supports the university's mission by providing quality undergraduate and
graduate programs taught by student-centered, professional faculty who consider their
scholarly practice, research, and creative activities essential complements of effective
teaching.
Course Objectives:
1. Students have an extensive knowledge of the structure and components of the
English language as a system of communication.
2. Students understand how to use their knowledge of the English language to facilitate
the English acquisition of others.
3. Students are able to use their knowledge of the English language to compare and
contrast linguistic features in order to facilitate second language acquisition.
4. Students are able to reflect on their own practices to improve the academic
outcomes of English language learners.
5. Students are able to assess and implement the most useful technologies to facilitate
educational opportunities and achievement of English language learners.
Course Outcomes/Projects:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Article reviews
Reading response journal
Grammar discovery paper
Investigations of websites designed to teach English grammar
Instructional Methods and Activities:
Students will learn in teams as well as individually to enhance course outcomes. Inquiry
and investigative techniques will be employed to gain knowledge from school and
community sectors. Community-based projects and activities will be implemented to
increase student awareness of course issues, concepts and knowledge base. Students
will be expected to engage in research and critical analysis projects.
Students will be expected to attend class either on-line or face-to-face dependent upon
the content delivery medium. Students will need to be proficient in their understanding
of computer access to enable them to interact with students, access databases.
Evaluation and Grading Assignments:
Evaluation of student performance will include assessment of products including on-line
communication, projects, class activities, and tests.
Grading is based on the successful completion of the course requirements. The
grading scale will be based on the following percentages.
A = 93 - 100
B = 83 - 92
C = 73 -82
D = 63-72
F = < 62
Texts
Hageman, J.A. (2003). Teaching grammar: A reader and workbook. Boston, MA: Allyn
& Bacon.
O’Connor, P.T. (2003). Woe is I: The grammarphobe’s guide to better English in plain
English. New York, NY: Riverhead Books.
Truss, L. (2006). Eats shoots and leaves: The zero tolerance approach to punctuation.
New York, NY: Penguin.
Related Sources for Resource Access, Development and Implementation
Anderson, J. & Spandel., V. (2005). Mechanically inclined: Building grammar, usage,
and style into writer’s workshop. Portland, ME: Stenhouse.
Freeman, D. & Freeman, Y. (2004). Essential Linguistics: What You Need to
Know to Teach Reading, ESL, Spelling, Phonics, Grammar. Portsmouth, NH:
Heinemann.
Klammer, T.P., Schulz, M.R. & Volpe, A.D. (2006). Analyzing English grammar. (5th
ed.). New York, NY: Longman.
Kolln, M. & Funk, R. (2006). Understanding English grammar. (7th ed.). New York, NY:
Longman.
McGarry, R.G. 2004. The Grammar of Why!: Essays into the Nature of English
Common Usage Grammar.
Noden, H. (1999). Image grammar: Using grammatical structures to teach writing.
Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.
Vaillette, N., & Stewart, T. (Eds.) (2001). Language files: Materials for an
introduction to language and linguistics. (8th edition). Columbus: Ohio State
University Press.
Veit, R. (1998). Discovering English grammar. (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Longman.
Weaver, C. (1996). Teaching Grammar in Context. Portsmouth, NH: Boynton/Cook
Publishers.