Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-lj6df Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-10-31T16:31:21.383Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

WHAT DOES FREQUENCY HAVE TO DO WITH GRAMMAR TEACHING?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 July 2002

Douglas Biber
Affiliation:
Northern Arizona University Douglas Biber, English Department, Box 6032, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 86011–6032; e-mail: douglas.biber@nau.edu.
Randi Reppen
Affiliation:
Northern Arizona University

Extract

Using frequency findings from corpus linguistics, this paper explores the relationship between the information presented in ESL-EFL materials and what is known about actual language use based on empirical studies. Three aspects of materials development for grammar instruction are discussed: the grammatical features to be included, the order of grammatical topics, and the vocabulary used to illustrate these topics. For each aspect, we show that there are often sharp contrasts between the information found in grammar materials and what learners encounter in the real world of language use. In our conclusion, we argue that a selective revision of pedagogy to reflect actual use, as shown by frequency studies, could result in radical changes that facilitate the learning process for students.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© 2002 Cambridge University Press

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)