Teaching the Modals in an ESL Class.

Autor/in	Ney, James W.
Titel	Teaching the Modals in an ESL Class.
Quelle	(1981), (32 Seiten)Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; Monographie
Schlagwörter	Leitfaden; Unterricht; Lehrer; English (Second Language); Error Analysis (Language); Morphology (Languages); Negative Forms (Language); Postsecondary Education; Semantics; Syntax; Teaching Methods; Verbs + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Lesson concept; Instruction; Unterrichtsentwurf; Unterrichtsprozess; Teacher; Teachers; Lehrerin; Lehrende; English as second language; English; Second Language; Englisch als Zweitsprache; Error analysis; Language; Fehleranalyse; Morphology; Morphologie; Post-secondary education; Tertiäre Bildung; Semantik; Teaching method; Lehrmethode; Unterrichtsmethode
Abstract	Generalizations regarding languages should be presented to students to aid them in mastering the surface forms they encounter. Hoffmen's analysis of modals postulates a root meaning and an epistemic meaning for modals and predicts that the root interpretation is generally excluded by the progressive and perfect tenses. This system may form the basis for the teaching of modals. However, other principles need be included if modals are to be presented adequately. First, past tense modals generally have the same meanings as present tense modals in similar environments although their meaning is tinged with a certain remoteness. Second, except for "can" and "will," the past time referent for most modals is formed by including the perfect tense marker in the verb phrase. Third, certain principles exist that govern the interpretation of modals. For example, in questions, "may" functions only with the meaning of permission and not with the meaning of possibility. The analyses are supported with detailed examples. Tables provide a synopsis of the meaning of English modals and a discussion of necessity and hypothesis with "must" and "should." The overall pattern for the description of modals presented in the article is a practical guide for teaching ESL students. (Author/JK)
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC