Unik Edu Solution

There is one drawback to the normal communicative approach, however. In this approach to teaching English, grammar is usually given a subordinate role. Typically, the development of communication skills is given emphasis over the learning of grammar. As long as learners get their ideas across, they are deemed to have learned to communicate successfully, regardless of the grammatical errors they make.

As far as the teaching of English is concerned, we at Unik feel this is insufficient and incomplete. Therefore, this grammar course is included to address this shortcoming.

This courseware integrates computer-aided learning ( CAL ) into our lessons. This allows learners to easily learn at home, at anytime they want. CAL technology also helps promote learning motivation and learner autonomy.

Grammar is what makes it possible for us to talk in a language. In English, as in any language, grammar allows us to identify the types of words and word groups that make up sentences. Grammar is often associated with errors and correctness. Thus, by knowing about grammar, we can understand what makes sentences and paragraphs clear, interesting and precise.

When we speak in grammatically-correct English, we give an impression of being well-schooled, even well-bred. To be truly proficient, we must do more than merely communicate – we must speak articulately, or better still, eloquently. Only with a strong foundation in grammar can we do this.

1. Developing your confidence

You build your confidence through practice. But what should you practice? To improve your listening and speaking skills, you should practice listening and speaking, obviously. Use the situational contexts in each lesson for your practice. Listen to the dialogue or narration, and try to understand what is being said. Then, see the text-only version, and read along with the character in the dialogue or the narrator. Keep doing this until you can read smoothly without hesitating.

Another section that you can use to develop your confidence is the Speaking Section. Here, you can record your voice and compare it with the pre-recorded reference. The audio tool that we provide is ideal for you to practise your pronunciation, enunciation, modulation, intonation etc.

Some activities in the Speaking Section involve a dialogue between you and a virtual character. These activities provide the setting for you to interact with another ‘person'. Use these activities as listening and speaking exercises for developing your listening and speaking skills.

2. Increasing your vocabulary

Every lesson will have words that may be new to you. These words are listed in the Vocabulary Section. The meanings of these words are given both in English and in Malay. Listen to how the words are pronounced, and use the words in different contexts. Know what part of speech (noun, verb, adjective, etc.) each word is. If the word is a noun, change it to an adjective (for example), and use it in its new form in a sentence. If it is a verb, use it in different tenses in sentences.

Many words have multiple meanings. The definitions given in the Vocabulary Section are the meanings of the words in the context of the respective lesson. You are encouraged to use the dictionary for other possible meanings.

3. Understanding grammar

Grammar is the whole system and structure of a language. Grammar states the rules of how that language should be spoken (or written). Each lesson has a section on grammar; however, the content varies in the number of grammar items introduced. To help you understand the grammar items introduced, practice exercises are provided for you to do. Understanding grammar helps you to write and speak English correctly.