Product Description

A classic developmental skills text for lower-intermediate to intermediate students of English, Fundamentals of English Grammar is a reference grammar as well as a stimulating and teachable classroom text. While keeping the same basic approach and material as in earlier editions, the Third Edition more fully develops communicative and interactive language-learning activities. Some of the new features are: *Numerous "real communication" opportunities *More options for interactive work in pairs and groups *Additional open-ended communicative tasks for both speaking and writing *Expanded error-analysis exercises *Interesting and lively new exercise material *New appendices for phrasaql verbs and prepositions The program components include the Student Book, Workbook, Chartbook, Teacher's Guide, and Companion Website. See also Fundamentals of English Grammar Interactive (a multimedia CD-ROM).

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #258707 in Books
• Published on: 2007-01-30
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 464 pages

From the Publisher
An intermediate grammar, revised edition of a best seller.

From the Back Cover
A classic developmental skills text for lower-intermediate to intermediate students of English, Fundamentals of English Grammar is a reference grammar as well as a stimulating and teachable classroom text.

While keeping the same basic approach and material as in earlier editions, the Third Edition more fully develops communicative and interactive language-learning activities. Some of the new features are:

• Numerous "real communication" opportunities
• More options for interactive work in pairs and groups
• Additional open-ended communicative tasks for both speaking and writing
• Expanded error-analysis exercises
• Interesting and lively new exercise material
• New appendices for phrasaql verbs and prepositions

The program components include the Student Book, Workbook, Chartbook, Teacher's Guide, and Companion Website.

Customer Reviews

contingent on appropriate use
This is not a good book if you are a student just beginning to learn English. For heaven's sake, don't buy this as a textbook unless the student for whom it is intended is very academic! However, it is an excellent resource for teachers, especially native English speakers. We don't know our own grammar from a hole in the ground.
I used the edition of this with the blue cover. It has the most wonderful diagrams I've ever seen showing how English verb tenses work. I can't find a picture of a blue one or I'd buy it again.

This book provides a good fundamental knowledge...
There seems to be a question as to the value of teaching students grammar from an academic standpoint. There has also been criticism of the academic nature of the Fundamentals of English Grammar by Betty Azar. I have read Stephen Krashen's books and I agree that students need comprehensible input and not just academic knowledge of English; however, from my experience as a language learner and teacher, I have discovered that students need a combination of both "form and function" of the language. Betty Azar's book, Fundamentals of the English Language, provides the "form" practice that students need to master these structures that carry meaning. After the students do the drill practices in Azar's book, I provide my own extension exercises which allow students to integrate these structures into their every day speech (function).

I have discovered that language at the intermediate level starts to move into the realm of the intangible, which means acquiring language is no longer easy to extrapolate from mere deduction. Language acquisition that comes from the deductive process at this and more advanced levels is often highly inaccurate in both form and meaning as students erroneously try to transform it back into what is familiar to them. Consequently, achieving accuracy becomes a very time-consuming endeavor which is difficult to manage in a large classroom. Given the time constraints on language learning and the increasing demand for understanding and communicating technical information, these "academic" structures are essential for acquiring language that is concise and unadulterated.

To enhance comprehension, I always do my own presentation of the material with my own examples and demonstrations before I ask the students to look at Azar's seemingly "academic" explanation. The oral and written drill practices contained in the book allow students to stay focused on accuracy so they can achieve mastery when they are asked to produce language of their own utilizing these targeted structures. If it is only conversational language that one wants to learn or to teach, sure, try some other book.

There is, however, another reason to teach students grammar structures: grammar tests are one mode the educational institutions use to screen students from higher education. Most, if not all, of the standardized tests given as prerequisites for college study are focused on grammar. (It's what they erroneously call "writing".) I feel to deny a motivated student mastery of the language at that level is denying them the tools they need for achieving success in our present system. Betty Azar's Fundamentals of English Grammar presents these structures in a very organized fashion, and my students who learn the material do very well on these tests and are able to continue with their educational goals.

Excellent resource for ESL or learners
Having taught English asa Second Language in Asia and the States as well as elementary school English and literacy, Azar is the best. Her examples are clear and interesting. The excercises are real to life. Her charts are invaluable to make things systematic and clear for all levels of students.