LANG 2048 Working Grammar

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Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 102414

Coordinator David McInnes Opens in new window

Description How does grammar work? And how do languages function in different social contexts? This unit introduces students to a functional analysis of the English language, and relates the structure of English to its use in cultural and social contexts. It offers students of literature and training teachers an introduction to theories and forms of analysis that support much English language education in Australia. The functional model of language is used in a range of fields - including teaching in schools and universities, teaching ESL/EFL, and broader language research. Students will apply the functional analysis of English to a range of spoken and written texts from diverse literary, social and cultural contexts. This will help to provide grammatical skills and work-readiness, especially for students training to be professional teachers.

School Humanities & Comm Arts

Discipline English Language

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 1 10cp

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Level Undergraduate Level 2 subject

Restrictions Successful completion of 40 credit points of study in currently enrolled program.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
  1. Demonstrate their understanding of how language relates to the cultural and social contexts in which it is used
  2. Identify how texts are structured to achieve a range of social purposes
  3. Identify the features of functional grammar at clause, sentence and text levels
  4. Analyse grammatical structures and patterns in texts
  5. Provide interpretations of texts patterns through their relationship to forms of social and cultural meaning in literary and other texts

Subject Content

- Models of text and context including genre, context of situation including field, tenor and mode
- Analyses of The Grammar of The English clause for documenting Three kinds of meaning - Ideational, interpersonal and textual
- The analysis of clause level Structures for: Transitivity, Nominal groups, mood, modality and appraisal, theme/Rheme and given/new
- Interpretive frameworks for language features and patterns

Prescribed Texts

  • Butt, David, Rhondda Fahey, S. Spinks, and C. Yallop. "Using Functional Grammar: An Explorer's Guide. National Centre for English Language Teaching and Research." Macquarie University, Sydney (2000).

Teaching Periods

Structures that include subject