3.) Syntax – Comparative Language a.) Find five syntactic issues that speakers of the language you chose may have difficulty with in English due to differences between the two languages. For example, in Spanish adjectives are usually placed behind the adjective they modify, for example “camisa roja,” shirt red, whereas in English adjectives are placed before the noun they modify, red shirt. Because of this syntactic difference between the two languages, second language speakers may invert the adjective and noun. b.) Out of the five syntactic differences you find between English and the language you chose, pick two to come up with strategies to teach to those specific issues.

QUESTION

3.) Syntax – Comparative Language
a.) Find five syntactic issues that speakers of the language you chose may have difficulty with in
English due to differences between the two languages.
For example, in Spanish adjectives are usually placed behind the adjective they modify,
for example “camisa roja,” shirt red, whereas in English adjectives are placed before the
noun they modify, red shirt. Because of this syntactic difference between the two
languages, second language speakers may invert the adjective and noun.
b.) Out of the five syntactic differences you find between English and the language you chose,
pick two to come up with strategies to teach to those specific issues.

ANSWER

Strategies for Teaching Syntactic Differences between English and [Chosen Language]

Introduction

When learning a new language, understanding its syntactic structure is crucial for effective communication. English learners coming from different language backgrounds may encounter specific difficulties due to syntactic differences between their native language and English. In this essay, we will explore five syntactic issues that speakers of [chosen language] may face when learning English. Furthermore, we will focus on two of these issues and present effective strategies to teach and address them.

Syntactic Issues between English and [Chosen Language]:

Adjective Placement

In [chosen language], adjectives are commonly placed after the noun they modify, whereas English follows a pattern of adjective-noun placement. This distinction can lead to confusion among learners, resulting in the incorrect ordering of adjectives in English sentences.

Verb Conjugation

Some languages, like [chosen language], may have intricate verb conjugation systems with different forms for each subject pronoun. In contrast, English verbs generally have fewer conjugation patterns (Wikipedia contributors, 2023). This difference can cause learners to struggle with selecting the correct verb form based on the subject.

Sentence Structure

Languages vary in their preferred sentence structures. For instance, [chosen language] may follow a Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) order, while English typically uses a Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) order. This variance can lead to sentences that are grammatically incorrect or sound awkward to native English speakers.

Gender Agreement

Certain languages, including [chosen language], often have gender agreement between nouns and adjectives. English, on the other hand, does not commonly employ gender agreement (Maciuszek et al., 2019). Learners may find it challenging to adapt to English’s lack of gender distinctions, resulting in errors when using adjectives or articles.

Preposition Usage

The usage and placement of prepositions can differ across languages. Learners of English from [chosen language] may struggle with understanding the appropriate preposition to use in different contexts, leading to errors in sentence structure and meaning.

Teaching Strategies for Selected Syntactic Issues

 Adjective Placement

To address this issue, instructors can employ visual aids, such as charts or diagrams, showcasing the correct order of adjectives in English. Engaging in activities that require learners to match adjectives with their respective nouns can help reinforce the correct adjective-noun word order. Additionally, providing ample practice through sentence-building exercises and interactive games will enhance learners’ understanding and retention of this syntactic difference.

Verb Conjugation

Teaching verb conjugation in English can be approached through a step-by-step method. Begin by introducing the basic verb forms (infinitive, present, past, and participle) and their usage (Walden University Writing Center, n.d.). Employing interactive exercises, such as fill-in-the-blank activities and verb tense transformations, allows learners to practice selecting the appropriate verb form based on the subject. Encouraging regular practice and providing feedback on errors will contribute to learners’ mastery of English verb conjugation.

Conclusion

Syntactic differences between English and [chosen language] can pose challenges for language learners. By acknowledging these differences and implementing effective teaching strategies, instructors can facilitate the acquisition of English syntax. Visual aids, interactive activities, and targeted practice sessions are essential tools to address specific syntactic issues, such as adjective placement and verb conjugation. By equipping learners with the necessary knowledge and practice, they can overcome these hurdles and communicate more effectively in English.

References

Maciuszek, J., Polak, M., & Świa̧Tkowska, N. (2019). Grammatical Gender Influences Semantic Categorization and Implicit Cognition in Polish. Frontiers in Psychology, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02208 

Walden University Writing Center. (n.d.). https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/grammar/verbforms 

Wikipedia contributors. (2023). Grammatical conjugation. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grammatical_conjugation