This document discusses analyzing language to understand how it works and anticipate problems students may have. It analyzes meaning, form, pronunciation, function, and appropriateness. For meaning, problems can arise from complexity, lack of concept in student's language, or multiple meanings. Form issues include word order, rules, parts of speech, regular/irregular forms, spelling, and overgeneralization. Pronunciation issues stem from interference from first language or spelling/pronunciation differences. Function and appropriateness refer to language use depending on purpose, situation, register, and formality. The document provides an example analysis of "I wish I had more time" and suggestions for language analysis.

1. Introduction to Language
analysis

2. What is analysing language ?

3. Why analyse language ?
 To find out how simple or complex an area of language is ,,,,

4. Why analyse language ?
 To enable us to anticipate problems students may have and
so to avoid unnecessary problems when itroducing the
language,,,
 To enable us correct students’ mistakes and to answear their
questions about language

5. What do we analyse ?
Meaning
Form
Pronunciation
Function
Appropriateness

6. Meaning
Problems can arise because ;
_ meaning is very complex , abstract or otherwise difficult to grasp
_ this concept does not exist in the student’s own language
_ a different meaning in the student’s own language produces
‘ L1 interference’
_ the language item has more than one meaning in English

7. FORM
Problems can arise due to ;
* word order
* gramatical rules e,g use of auxiliary verbs , 3rd person ‘s’ect
* the part of speech ( adjective , adverb ect )
* regular vs irregular ( e,g past simple , - ing forms ect,)
* spelling
* over-generalisation of the rule

8. PRONUNCIATION
Problems can arise due to ;
* student’s first language produces interference
* spelling vs pronunciation – silent letters ect
* contraction ( eg I’ve) and weak forms ( eg could have = /ev/
* word or sentence stress
* intonation

9. FUNCTION AND APPROPRIATNESS
Function means the purpose of the speaker
how and for what the language item is used ( e,g for giving advice,
making an offer , giving permission, speculating ect,,,)
Appropriatness maens where , when and with whom it can be used
* register – formal , informal or neutral
* how colloquial or specialised it is
* whether is written or spoken

10. SOLUTIONS
* present language in a clear situation
* give clear , simple explanation
* check meaning systematically
* do your research

11. I wish I had more time
Meaning
I want more time ( now or in the future)
i dont have enough time now
I’m unlikely to get more time

12. I wish I had more time
Concept checks
do i want more time now ? ( yes)
do i have enough time now ? (No)
do i think i’ll get more time in the future ? ( probably not)

13. I wish I had more time
Form
I wish I Had more time
Subject + wish +( that)+ subject+simple past tense
( there are two subjects and two verbs because there two clauses)

14. I wish I had more time
Form ; anticipated problem
we use the simple past tense
BUT
The meaning is the present or the future
BECAUSE
The situation is unlikely or impossible

15. I wish I had more time
Pronunciation ; anticipated problems
had = /haed/
it cant be contracted to I’d because its the main verb in this clause, not
an auxiliary
Stress - i wish i had more time

16. SOME SUGGESTIONS
 Do your own analysis first- examine the langauge before you consult
grammar book, then check with a grammar book that you find clear
and accessible
 check in your course book ,some course books have very user
friendly’grammar section
 Sometimes looking at books designed to help students with grammar
points may help you when start out- e,g Raymond Murphy’s English
Grammar in use
 Do grammar excercises yourself first as if you were a student-then try
to explain your choice of the answear to yourself before you try it out
on the students