Assignment 2

Abstract

This paper is designed to analyze, compare, and evaluate the way one and the same grammar feature is tackled in two textbooks: New Headway and New Cutting Edge. It will describe that how same grammar features of Modal Verbs for Obligation and Permission is explained through two different approaches: Presentation-Practice-Production (PPP), Task-Based Learning (TBL). The goal of the paper is not to assign a priority to one single approach over the other, but to check their learning effects in regards to effectiveness and potency.

Assignment 2

Introduction

In teaching grammar, teachers use different approaches to explain grammatical structures to students, by relating it to their daily routine and in many other ways. In the unit 4 'Doing the right thing' of New Headway textbook, we find the approach of PPP for teaching Modal verb. On the other hand, in module 11 'Rules and Freedom' of New Cutting Edge textbook, we encounter the approach of TBL for Obligation and Permission. PPP “Presentation Practice Production” is a technique for teaching grammatical structures in a foreign language. This technique is divided into three key junctions, which move on from one step to another. A presentation phase is under the control of a teacher and he or she may use an audio tape, text or visual assistances for demonstrating a situation. In the phase of Practice, the role of teacher is to conduct activities for acknowledging students about their mistakes. In the last phase of production, the learner himself produces the written and oral texts from his understanding of language structure (Sharkey, 1995). On the other hand, TBL “task based learning” is a framework that affirms exposure of comprehensible input, usage of language, motivation for reading and listening and instruction of language (Willis, 1996). These conditions are really helpful in teaching under the classroom environment. The framework of TBL is based upon pre-task, task cycle and language focus. Both of the approaches will be analyzed, evaluated and compared in the discussion part for further understanding of their impacts on students.

Discussion Analysis

New Headway

This textbook is following the approach of Present-Practice-Produce “PPP”, which initially present the usage of particular Modal verbs that can be used for obligation and permission.

In the initial section of the unit 'Test You Grammar', we find that the book is offering to test the student's own understanding about modal verbs by looking at its example, before proceeding to further description.

After that, it targets three modal verbs have (got) to, can, and be allowed to through the oral conversation between Sarah and Lindsay taking about their likes and dislikes for being a teenager. In this part, the student needs to listen their conversation and fill the blanks in the given sentences.

The small section of grammar spot is really helpful in teaching and differentiating the usage of modal verb under obligation and permission. The point one, 'which two sentences mean the same?' focus on the similar meaning of the sentence, by using different modal verb.

Practice - controlled practice (involves changing the ...