NC 314: ESL: Grammar - Advanced

• Use intermediate and advanced grammatical structures to construct simple, compound, and complex sentences and basic paragraphs/essays using: a. a variety of adjective clauses (who, whom, that, which, whose, where, when); b. descriptive phrases (with past and present participles); c. infinitives and gerunds; d. adverbial clauses and phrases (reason, purpose, time, contrast, condition); e. sentence connectors and transitions; f. noun clauses; g. quoted and reported speech (learning the sequence of tenses, reporting imperatives and questions, paraphrasing); h. unreal conditionals (present and past, real vs. unreal); and i. wishes.
• Identify and use learned grammatical structures in written and oral American English to perform complex life functions such as: a. using the Internet; b. interacting online; c. describing people, places, objects, and situations in detail; d. helping others; e. expressing complex states, feelings, opinions, ideas, wishes, preferences, abilities, agreement, disagreement, complaint, accusation, and defense; f. discussing unreal/hypothetical situations, achievements, controversial issues, moral obligations, problems, and solutions; g. explaining reasons, cause, effect, purpose, contrast, condition, advantages, and disadvantages; h. giving examples; i. narrating events and personal experiences in a connected discourse; j. justifying, defending and explaining actions, choices, preferences, expectations, and assumptions with reasons; k. paraphrasing; l. writing basic paragraphs/essays to express feelings, opinions, and ideas; m. using language in correct sociolinguistic contexts (i.e., polite language, language of request and refusal, imperative action, suggestion, clarification, etc.).
• Demonstrate comprehension of how various learned grammatical structures can alter meaning and effect of communication, including the use of: a. adjective clauses and descriptive phrases; b. infinitives and gerunds; c. adverbial clauses and phrases; d. sentence connectors; e. noun clauses; f. quoted and reported speech; g. unreal conditionals and wishes.
• Analyze and correct learned grammatical structures in simple, compound, and complex sentences.
• Use reduced and complete forms in appropriate written and oral context (i.e., short answers, tag questions, and contractions in informal speech and writing).

Grammar

1. Adjective Clauses, Descriptive Phrases

   1. Adjective Clauses
   2. Relative Pronoun as Subject
   3. Relative Pronoun as Object
   4. Relative Pronoun as Object of Preposition
   5. Place and Time in Adjective Clauses
   6. Whose in Adjective Clauses
   7. Adjective Clauses after Indefinite Pronouns
   8. Nonessential Adjective Clauses
   9. Essential vs. Nonessential Adjective Clauses
   10. Descriptive Phrases

2. Infinitives and Gerunds

   1. Verbs Followed by an Infinitive
   2. Verb + Object + Infinitive
   3. Causative Verbs
   4. Adjective + Infinitive
   5. Infinitives as Subjects
   6. Infinitives to Show Purpose
   7. Infinitives with Too and Enough
   8. Gerunds as Subjects
   9. Gerunds after Prepositions and Nouns
   10. Prepositions after Verbs, Nouns, and Adjectives
   11. Verbs followed by Gerunds or Infinitives
   12. Gerund or Infinitive as a Subject
   13. Gerund or Infinitive after a Verb: Differences in Meaning
   14. Used to/ Be used to/ Get used to
   15. Sense-Perception Verbs

3. Adverbial Clauses and Phrases, Sentence Connectors, So…That/Such…That

   1. Adverbial Clauses and Phrases
   2. Reason and Purpose
   3. Time Clauses and Phrases
   4. Using the –ing Form after Time Words
   5. Contrast
   6. Condition
   7. Sentence Connectors
   8. So…That/Such…That

4. Noun Clauses

   1. Noun Clauses as Included Questions
   2. Question Words Followed by an Infinitive
   3. Exact Quotes
   4. Exact Quotes vs. Reported Speech
   5. Reported Speech and the Sequence of Tenses
   6. Say vs. Tell
   7. Exceptions to the Rule of Sequence of Tenses
   8. Reporting an Imperative
   9. Using Reported Speech to Paraphrase
   10. Noun Clauses after Past-Tense Verbs
   11. Noun Clauses as Reported Questions

5. Unreal Conditionals, Wishes

   1. Unreal Conditionals –Present
   2. Implied Conditionals
   3. Real Conditionals vs. Unreal Conditionals
   4. Unreal Conditionals – Past
   5. Wishes

Analysis and Sentence Structure

1. Construct simple, compound, and complex sentences and basic paragraphs/essays.
2. Identify parts of speech, clauses, and correct versus incorrect sentence structures.
3. Correct errors on learned and prerequisite grammar points.
4. Identify when to change tense based on time reference.
5. Combine multiple verb sentences in a single narrative.

Functional Skills (including but not limited to)

1. Demonstrate ability to function in life tasks, such as using the Internet, interacting online, and helping others. 
2. Describe people, places, objects, and situations in detail. 
3. Effectively express complex states, feelings, opinions, ideas, wishes, preferences, abilities, agreement, disagreement, complaint, accusation, and defense.
4. Discuss imaginary/hypothetical situations, achievements, controversial issues, moral obligations, problems, and solutions.
5. Explain reasons, cause, effect, purpose, contrast, condition, advantages, and disadvantages.
6. Narrate events and personal experiences in a connected discourse.
7. Justify, defend and explain actions, choices, preferences, expectations, and assumptions with reasons.
8. Engage in extended social exchanges and conversations.
9. Give examples to support an argument and paraphrase to achieve greater clarity.
10. Write basic paragraphs/essays to express feelings, opinions, and ideas.
11. Demonstrate the ability to effectively use sentence connectors and transitions to produce cohesive, well-structured written compositions and speech.
12. Analyze information and situations with hypothetical outcomes to find solutions, make informed decisions, and reduce risk.
13. Use language in correct sociolinguistic contexts.
14. Make assumptions based on experience, analysis, and knowledge.
15. Relate expectations, intentions, hopes, wishes, and regrets in different contexts.

Semantic Topics (Possible topics to be covered)

1. Daily Routines and Personal Experiences
2. Online Interactions
3. Altruism and Philanthropy
4. Work, Career, Occupations, and Job Skills
5. Hobbies and Interests
6. History
7. Immigration
8. Cultural Differences
9. Children, Family and Relationships
10. Science
11. Science Fiction
12. Technology and Media
13. Environmental Awareness
14. Health and Wellness
15. Education and Learning
16. Travel and Adventure
17. Current Events and News