Summary
Delve into the fascinating debate between prescriptivism (grammar as a set of fixed rules) and descriptivism (grammar as an evolving system based on usage). This B2 lesson examines how language is standardized, the role of language purists, and how variations occur. Through video analysis and engaging discussions, learners will understand these concepts and their implications for communication. The lesson also offers focused practice on correctly using subject and object pronouns in various contexts, especially in compound phrases.
Activities
Grammar pet peeves discussion: Students share personal experiences with grammar correction, discussing "pet peeves" and the difference between "correct" and "natural" language to reflect on their own attitudes.
Language about language introduction: Learners encounter key vocabulary related to linguistic concepts by reading sentences and deducing the meaning of terms like prescriptivist, linguistic, standardized, and purists from context.
Video analysis on grammar approaches: Students watch a video to understand the core differences between prescriptivism and descriptivism, how language was historically standardized, and the nature of spoken versus written language.
Vocabulary in context matching: This activity reinforces understanding of terms from the video, such as prescriptivism, descriptivism, linguistic universals, standardization, variations, and language purists, by matching them to their definitions.
Grammar focus on subject and object pronouns: Learners study the rules for subject pronouns (e.g., I, he, she) and object pronouns (e.g., me, him, her), particularly in compound phrases, with examples and sentence completion exercises.
Preposition practice with pronouns: Students reinforce their understanding of object pronouns by completing sentences where pronouns follow prepositions like "for," "between," and "to."
Pronoun error correction challenge: Learners apply their knowledge by identifying and correcting errors in sentences involving subject and object pronouns, enhancing their proofreading skills.
Dialogue completion with pronouns: Students practice using subject and object pronouns in a communicative context by filling in the blanks in a dialogue about the lesson's video content.
Personal reflection and discussion: Participants reflect on their stance on prescriptivism vs. descriptivism, write a paragraph using compound subjects/objects, and discuss their ideas with a partner.
Vocabulary focus
The lesson introduces key terms essential for discussing language ideologies, such as prescriptivist, descriptivist, linguistic, standardized, language purists, establish, variations, track, and negotiated. Students will learn to differentiate between approaches like prescriptivism (fixed rules) and descriptivism (observed usage), and understand concepts like linguistic universals and language standardization.
Grammar focus
The primary grammar focus is on the correct usage of subject pronouns (I, you, he, she, it, we, they) and object pronouns (me, you, him, her, it, us, them). Emphasis is placed on their application in compound subjects and objects (e.g., "My sister and I," "The teacher gave it to Sarah and me") and after prepositions, ensuring students can confidently choose the correct pronoun form.
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