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The Open University

Grammar matters

The Open University via OpenLearn

Overview

Grammar matters because, combined with vocabulary choice, it is our main way of making meaning. This free course introduces you to one approach used to understand how meanings relate systematically to different aspects of grammar and shows how this deeper understanding can be applied to make everyday communication more effective.

Syllabus

  • Introduction
  • Learning outcomes
  • 1 Why does grammar matter?
  • 1 Why does grammar matter?
  • 1.1 Different reasons why grammar matters
  • 1.2 Meaning and consequences
  • 1.3 Functional grammar and its uses
  • 2 What do we mean by ‘meaning’?
  • 2 What do we mean by ‘meaning’?
  • 3 Ideational meaning – talking about what’s going on
  • 3 Ideational meaning – talking about what’s going on
  • 3.1 Representing events
  • 4 Interpersonal meaning – interacting with and relating to others
  • 4 Interpersonal meaning – interacting with and relating to others
  • 5 Textual meaning – organising messages to make sense in context
  • 5 Textual meaning – organising messages to make sense in context
  • 5.1 It’s all in the packaging
  • 6 Summary of the types of meaning
  • 6 Summary of the types of meaning
  • 7 Grammar in the real world
  • 7 Grammar in the real world
  • 7.1 Subject learning in schools
  • Conclusion
  • Glossary
  • References
  • Further reading
  • Acknowledgements

Reviews

3.9 rating at OpenLearn based on 21 ratings

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