The Teacher's Grammar of English

The Teacher's Grammar of English is a comprehensive reference guide for ESL/EFL instructors teaching English grammar to second language learners. The book combines grammatical explanations with pedagogical strategies and classroom techniques. The text presents grammar topics systematically, starting with basic concepts and progressing to more complex structures. Each chapter includes examples, exercises, teaching suggestions, and common student errors to address. Ron Cowan incorporates research findings from second language acquisition studies to inform the teaching approaches presented in the book. The work draws connections between theoretical linguistic concepts and practical classroom applications. The book stands as a bridge between academic grammar study and real-world language instruction, emphasizing the importance of understanding both the rules and the teaching methods needed to convey them effectively to students.

Readers describe this as a technical, research-based grammar reference designed for ESL/EFL teachers. Many note its comprehensive coverage of English grammar features and clear explanations of how to teach them. Likes: - In-depth explanations of grammar rules with linguistic research - Practical teaching suggestions and exercises - Clear organization and layout - Useful reference charts and tables - Strong focus on common student errors Dislikes: - Dense academic writing style - Can be overwhelming for new teachers - Some find it too theoretical - Price point ($50-60) considered high - Small font size and text-heavy pages Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (46 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (89 ratings) One ESL teacher noted: "This book explains not just what the rules are, but WHY they work that way - invaluable for anticipating student questions." A frequent criticism: "Great content but reads like a linguistics textbook. Could be more accessible for newer teachers."

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🔷 The book introduces complex grammar concepts through authentic language samples drawn from the MICASE corpus (Michigan Corpus of Academic Spoken English), making it especially relevant for teaching academic English. 📚 Ron Cowan developed this grammar guide based on more than 35 years of teaching English to speakers of other languages at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. 🎓 Unlike traditional grammar books, it specifically addresses the needs of ESL/EFL teachers, helping them understand not just what grammar rules are, but why students make certain mistakes. 🔍 The book includes unique "Grammar Myths" sections that debunk common misconceptions about English grammar rules that even native speakers often believe. 📊 Each chapter contains detailed pedagogical suggestions and assessment tools, making it both a reference grammar and a practical teaching manual—a dual purpose that few grammar books serve.