FUNCTIONS
During the study of this unit I have learned that communication itself is based on functions that means on purpose. There are several examples of functions: apologizing, greeting, clarifying, etc. Those funtions have to be used into a context and we can make use of different exponents in order to communicate with others.
Through
functions and exponents we can express also levels of formality which means to know how, when, where, to whom
we have to say something.
Levels of formality: [FORMAL – neutral –
INFORMAL] = register
We can use
those levels according to the situation, and it is called appropriacy.
Toremaind,
we need to be clear of what function is. A function is a reason why we
communicate or the purpose, which may be: Apologizing, Inviting, Greeting,
Agreeing, Advising, Reporting, Refusing, etc.
So, we
could provide our Students with a list of sentences with combining grammatical
structures and a functional approach to make it meaningful for our students. To
this, we may ask them to create situations where they should use them. As a
result, they will get used to it and it will be difficult to forget.
To the same
token, the language we use to express a function is called an exponent. An
exponent can express several different functions. It all depends on the context
it is used in so it will change its levels of formality, such as formal,
informal, or neutral.
As a
result, we may adapt different activities such as role-plays; use the Overhead
projector to display videos, etc.
Combining functions
and grammar helps to give grammar meaning and context. It also helps learners
to learn functions together with grammatical structures that they can then
transfer to other contexts for use.
References:
YouTube
Teaching Grammar: Understanding Structures and Functions
- Functions of Language
Jessy, I agree with you when you mention that is important the correct use of language. Levels of formality are necessary to differentiate how well our students can manage language.
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