There are many ways in which teachers can use Functional Grammar techniques when preparing lessons for their ESL learners. To help their ESL students identify key ideas and details in a linguistically complex text, teachers can first do their own analysis of the text. This will enable them to identify parts of the text that may be linguistically challenging for their students. They can begin by analyzing the dialogue of the text, pinpointing areas in which they may need to provide additional background information related to people, places, concepts or routines that may not be familiar to someone with a different cultural background. Next, the teacher may look for words or phrases that may cause confusion to their ESL students and make note
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While learning the principals of Functional Grammar, the students begin to decipher the linguistic variances that are common for the different fields of knowledge or subject areas. For example, scientific writing contains more technical and objective language whereas English writing often contains symbolic, literary, and subjective language (Balzarolo 21). Therefore, these students will know how to code switch when needed, meaning they will be able to make the conscious choice to use particular language that fits the subject area they are addressing. Furthermore, they will be able to transfer that knowledge to all walks of life as they will see how language varies across the different communities that they are a part of. They will begin to recognize how values and beliefs influence language choices and will notice the ways in which different cultures use language. This knowledge will help them not only in all subject areas, but in all of their daily interactions as well. As Michael Halliday …show more content…
In Functional Grammar, students are often asked to be detectives in a sense, searching for clues within the text that will help them to reach or support a conclusion. This enhances their critical thinking skills because they must decipher what the “clues” mean and form opinions on the purposes of the specific choices an author makes in his writing. Often students will find that their critical thinking ability strengthens in all of their academic areas from their practice of Functional
While learning the principals of Functional Grammar, the students begin to decipher the linguistic variances that are common for the different fields of knowledge or subject areas. For example, scientific writing contains more technical and objective language whereas English writing often contains symbolic, literary, and subjective language (Balzarolo 21). Therefore, these students will know how to code switch when needed, meaning they will be able to make the conscious choice to use particular language that fits the subject area they are addressing. Furthermore, they will be able to transfer that knowledge to all walks of life as they will see how language varies across the different communities that they are a part of. They will begin to recognize how values and beliefs influence language choices and will notice the ways in which different cultures use language. This knowledge will help them not only in all subject areas, but in all of their daily interactions as well. As Michael Halliday …show more content…
In Functional Grammar, students are often asked to be detectives in a sense, searching for clues within the text that will help them to reach or support a conclusion. This enhances their critical thinking skills because they must decipher what the “clues” mean and form opinions on the purposes of the specific choices an author makes in his writing. Often students will find that their critical thinking ability strengthens in all of their academic areas from their practice of Functional