10 Questions
Why is knowledge of linguistics important for language teachers?
To explain interference problems faced by language learners
What can happen if a language teacher is not aware of the phonetic inventory of a student's native language?
The teacher may not correct pronunciation errors effectively
How does the absence of certain sounds in a native language affect English language learners according to the text?
It causes them to substitute similar sounds
Why is it important for teachers to understand how grammatical units differ across languages?
To tailor instruction to meet diverse language structures
How does English express plurality compared to Tagalog according to the text?
Through separate words rather than inflections
What is the difference between the verbs 'kumain' and 'kumakain' in Tagalog?
Aspect
How can understanding morphology help students decipher the meaning of words?
By understanding word formation rules
What recurring morpheme is found in words like 'embarrassment' and 'government'?
{-ment}
When asking permission from someone older or in a higher position, which modal should be used according to the text?
May
Why is knowledge of discourse structure important when teaching exchanges or conversations?
To be aware of appropriate language use in different contexts
Study Notes
Language Teachers' Knowledge and Competence
- Teachers' understanding of language and language teaching are intertwined, and their competence in linguistics helps them explain language to students and anticipate learning difficulties.
- Knowledge of phonology is essential for explaining interference problems in English language learners, such as Filipino learners substituting /p/ and /b/ for /f/ and /v/ due to the absence of these sounds in Philippine languages.
Phonology and Sound Systems
- Each language has its own inventory of phonemes, which may differ from those of another language, resulting in approximations of target sounds.
- Examples of phoneme differences include the absence of /f/ and /v/ in Philippine languages, leading to substitutions like /pæn/ for /fæn/ and /bæn/ for /væn/.
Grammar and Sentence Structure
- Grammatical units like morphemes, words, phrases, and clauses behave differently across languages.
- Examples of grammatical differences include:
- English expressing plurality and tense through inflections (-s/-es and -ed), whereas Tagalog expresses plurality using separate words (e.g., mga bata for 'children').
- Tagalog verbs having no tense, only aspects (perfective and imperfective), which may explain Filipinos' difficulties with English tenses.
Morphology and Word Formation
- Knowledge of morphology helps teachers and students understand word formation rules and parse words into smaller parts.
- Examples of morphological analysis include:
- Segmenting words like embarrassment, government, and disillusionment to identify the recurring morpheme {-ment} and its meaning as 'state or condition'.
- Deriving meaning from word formation patterns, such as recognizing the meaning of {-ment} in words like 'state of being embarrassed' or 'state of governing'.
Discourse Structure and Language Use
- Teachers' knowledge of discourse structure and larger units of language use is essential for teaching exchanges or conversations.
- Examples of discourse structure include:
- Using modals to express formality and politeness in social functions like asking permission, with a focus on appropriacy in selecting modals.
- Using may instead of can when asking permission from someone older or in a higher position, as in "May I use the office computer?"
Test your knowledge on the interconnection between linguistics and English language teaching. Explore how teachers' understanding of language behavior influences their ability to explain concepts and address learning challenges.
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