Traditional versus Functional Grammar

[yas61]

My question is:- How much is traditional grammar effective especially in present era where more attention is focused on functional grammar????

[Casiopea]

Welcome.

Hmm. First, I'll need a wee bit of clarification. Is your question in reference to Halliday's Functional Grammar or to the long-standing debate on Prescriptive and Descriptive grammars?

[EREFA]

tHE INFLUENCE OF TRADO-GRAMMER IS WANING.
DO YOU CONTINUE TO SAY:
1. WHERE ARE YOU GOING TO OR TO WHERE ARE YOU GOING ETC

[Jack in Tokyo]

Originally Posted by Casiopea

Welcome.
Hmm. First, I'll need a wee bit of clarification. Is your question in reference to Halliday's Functional Grammar or to the long-standing debate on Prescriptive and Descriptive grammars?

Sorry this is not completely on topic but I jumped at the opportunity to discuss Halliday's Functional Grammar.
I have just completed a M.Ed (TESOL) with a emphasis on Halliday's Functional Grammar and I have been teaching in Tokyo for ten years. Although my study has been interesting and has given me additional insight into English the practical application of SFL is problematic. In class I have introduced, in a simple way, participants, processes etc. However,I have found it very difficult to locate anybody in the EFL world, at the chalkboard, who is using SFL. It seems to be mostly used in discourse analysis by university lecturers and professors. Would you like to comment on this.
Regards,
John Curran

[Tdol]

If you scrape away the layers of whatever is in vogue now, it doesn't take long to get to the traditional grammar that underpins most textbooks. Given this state of affairs, it is likely to remain this way for a while yet.

[Jack in Tokyo]

Tdol,
I agree completely with you - scrape away.......etc. My favourite grammar book is 'Understanding English Grammar' by Kolln & Funk - now in 7th. edition.
How about you? I have tried many textbooks and approaches in Japan and am still looking for a better way. Some elements of Systemic Functional Linguistics help. What works best for you?
John

[Tdol]

I haven't based a course around a single textbook for some time- I take from here and there.

[Jack in Tokyo]

I must say you are very economic in your replies. Not much given away there and no cause for eyestrain.
John

[Tdol]

Sorry- I am often laconic as I have to whizz through the forum dealing with lots of other things. Also, I teach over the internetand haven't been in a classroom for a while, and the dynamics of internet work are very different.

[Jack in Tokyo]

Thanks for that.
I have sent messages occasionally to Dave's Internet and there are sometimes laconic one-liners that p..me off - not helpful at all.
John