Table of Contents

Section 1: Language and you. What is your image of language? Talking about language. Territory to explore. Characteristics of language. What do you think about English? Correct or not? Teaching and learning English. Section 2: Systems, Structures and Meanings in English. Getting the language right. How words work. A matter of time. Verbs and time. Verbs: patterns of structure. Modals and modal meaning. Passive voice. Prepositions and phrasal verbs. Adverbs and adverbials. Nouns and their properties. Articles - definite and indefinite. Describing things. Comparing things. Pronouns - substituting. Clauses. Time and clause structure. Condition and concession. Cause, reason, purpose. Direct and indirect speech - who said what? Section 3: Beyond Grammar. Using English in Texts. Lexis: patterns. Vocabulary choices in written texts. Looking at texts. Spoken and written. Language in social contexts. Section 4: Some Alternative Ways of Investigating Language.