Some Formulas And Methods For The Effective Teaching Of Verbal Concord (In Nonnative English Settings)

Steve Bode Ekundayo*
*Department of English and Literature, University of Benin, Nigeria.
Periodicity:October - December'2013
DOI : https://doi.org/10.26634/jelt.3.4.2519

Abstract

This paper examines the incidence of verbal concord rule violation in educated Nigeria ESL against the conceptual framework of interference and 'intraference'. Intraference is a coinage for the 'overgeneralization of linguistic material and semantic features' or 'intralingual interference . The paper is basically intuitively theoretical and descriptive. Library research, the Internet, observation and recording of some linguistic events by educated Nigerians were used as sources of data collection. To achieve the effective teaching, learning, and use of verbal concord in ESL and EFL, formula N+s/S+s =V-s or N-s/S-s = V+s is proposed and illustrated with graded steps. The three major steps of the formula are (i) the explanation and application of the formula symbols, (ii) categorized teaching and learning of English plurality and (iii) explanation with illustration of the structural dynamics of English that constrain nonnative users to produce verbal concord errors. This formula may be used to correct concord errors and enhance concord teaching and learning.

Keywords

Verbal Concord, Concord Formula, ESL, Ene, Interference, Intraference

How to Cite this Article?

Ekundayo, S. B. (2013). Some Formulas And Methods For The Effective Teaching Of Verbal Concord (In Non-Native English Settings). i-manager’s Journal on English Language Teaching, 3(4), 27-41. https://doi.org/10.26634/jelt.3.4.2519

References

[1]. Agbaje, J.O. (2009). The interdependency of the components of grammar and its implication for English language teaching, Wale, pp. 211-15.
[2]. Adegbite and Billy Olajide. (Eds.) (2006). Refereed proceedings of the 23rd annual conference of the Nigeria English Studies Association (NESA), University of Ilorin, 31 Oct to 4 Nov. 2006 to Nov. Lagos : Olivetree Publishers.
[3]. Akere, F. (2009). The English language in Nigeria: the sociolinguistic dynamics of decolonization and globalization. pp. 2-17.
[4]. Alo, M.A.(2005). Revisiting issues in English use in usage in Nigeria: Implications for the ESL classroom, Journal of the Nigerian English Studies Association (JNESA), 11(1), pp.114-130.
[5]. Alobo, J. O. (2010). Towards selection of instructional media for effective teaching and learning of English as a second language in secondary schools, Journal of the Nigerian English Studies Association (JNESA), 13(2), pp. 124-136.
[6]. Asiyanbola, A.A (1998). Contrastive analysis of English and Yoruba verb phrases, Journal of English Studies (JES), pp. 99-107.
[7]. Babalola, E.T. (1999). The misuse of the auxiliary verbs in the essays of some senior secondary school students in Oyo State, Papers in English and Linguistics (PEL), 1V, pp. 65-72.
[8]. Chomsky, N. (1965). Aspects of the theory of syntax, Cambridge: MIT P.
[9]. Christopherson, P., & Sandved. A.O. (1969). An advanced English grammar, London and Basingstoke: Macmillan.
[10]. Crystal, D. (2009). A dictionary of linguistics and phonetics, 6th ed, Oxford: Blackwell.
[11]. Dadzie, A.B.K. (2009). The concept of Nigerian English. pp. 85-99, In Dadzie & Awonusi (Eds.). Nigerian English influence and characteristic. Lagos: Iroanusi Publishers.
[12]. Ekundayo, O. B. S. (2006). The concept of 'intraference' in English: The morphemic examples in English as second language (Master's thesis). University of Benin, Department of English and Literature.
[13]. Ekundayo. B.S. (2009). Everybody's English handbook, 5th ed, Benin: Nobel Publishers.
[14]. Ekundayo, B.S. (2011, November). Intraference in Educated Nigerian English, A Ph.D. Review of Scholarship and Justification of Study, University of Benin, Department of English and Literature.
[15]. Fatusin, S.A. (2004). Grammatical errors in the English usage by Nigerian undergraduates: Challenges and proposals, Journal of the School of Language (JOSOL) 2, pp.45-55.
[16]. Funks & Wagnalls. (1975.) Standard desk dictionary, Vol. A-M. London: Funks & Wagnalls.
[17]. Ibe, Benson. (2007). Teaching of 'tenses': Current concepts and methods that impedes the learning of verb usage. pp. 260-73.
[18]. James, C. (1980). Contrastive analysis, Harlow Essex: Longman.
[19]. Jowitt, D, & Nnamonu S. (1985). Common errors in English. Lagos: Longman.
[20]. Jowitt, D. (1991). Nigeria English usage: An introduction. Lagos: Longman.
[21]. Labov, W. (1994). Principle of linguistic change. Vol.I, Internal factors. Oxford: Blackwell.
[22]. Ogbulogo, C. (2005). Another look at Nigerian English, Covenant University Public Lecture Series 1-5.
[23]. Ogbulogo, C. (2009). Problem areas in English, 3rd ed. Lagos: Sam Iroanusi Publishers.
[24]. Ojo, J.O. (2009). The English modality: Some problems of ESL users. pp. 133-140.
[25]. Oluikpe, Esther N. (2007). Communicative competence in expository writing: Entry behaviour of education (Arts/Science) students of the Use of English, University of Nigeria. pp. 275-89. In Oluikpe. B. N. Anasiudu, G.I. Nwaozuzu, and C.N. Okebalama. (Eds.). Language and literature in developing country: Essays in honour of Professor Benson Oluikpe. Onitsha: Africana-First.
[26]. Quirk, R., Greenbaum, S., Leech, G., & Svartvik, J. (1985). A comprehensive grammar of the English language, Standard ed. London: Longman.
[27]. Quirk, R., & Greenbaum. S. (1989). A student's Grammar of English, London: Longman.
[28]. Richards, J.C. Ed. (1984). Perspective on second language acquisition, London: Longman.
[29]. Selinker, L. (1984). Interlanguage. In Richards, Jack C., and Gloria P. Sampson. (Eds.). pp.13-18, Perspective on second language Acquisition. London: Longman.
[30]. Surakat, T. Y. (2010). Categorizing varieties of Nigerian English: A socio-psycholinguistic perspective, Journal Nigerian English Studies Association (JNESA) 13(2), pp. 97-110.
If you have access to this article please login to view the article or kindly login to purchase the article

Purchase Instant Access

Single Article

North Americas,UK,
Middle East,Europe
India Rest of world
USD EUR INR USD-ROW
Online 15 15

Options for accessing this content:
  • If you would like institutional access to this content, please recommend the title to your librarian.
    Library Recommendation Form
  • If you already have i-manager's user account: Login above and proceed to purchase the article.
  • New Users: Please register, then proceed to purchase the article.