Description
This talk combines results from corpus-based studies on the use of English if-conditionals in speech and writing by native speakers and learners of English – and compares their use with the typology of conditionals usually presented in ELT materials. More precisely, the talk examines the extent to which the ELT typology a) reflects actual language use, and b) influences learner use. The results point towards the inadequacy of the ELT typology of conditionals in describing both native-speaker and learner use, as the typology assumes a limited relation between form and semantic function, and reveals a restricted view of the semantic and pragmatic functions that conditionals can perform. The results support a typology of conditionals which recognises the strong link between conditionals and modality, takes account of all modality types, and prioritises meaning over formal criteria. The talk will also discuss the implications of the findings for a coherent pedagogical framework for teaching conditionals and modality to learners of English.Period | 4 Dec 2019 |
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Event title | TESOL Research Seminar |
Event type | Seminar |
Location | Preston, United KingdomShow on map |
Keywords
- corpus linguistics
- lexicogrammar
- conditionals
- modality
- TESOL
- language teaching
- ELT
- theory
- pedagogy
- language learning
- learner language
Documents & Links
Related content
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Research output
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If-conditionals as modal colligations: A corpus-based investigation
Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review
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If-conditionals and Modality: Frequency patterns and theoretical explanations
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article (journal) › peer-review
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Conditional Sentences: ELT typology and corpus evidence
Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review
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If-conditionals as modality attractors
Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper
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Corpus-based analysis of oral test transcripts: A case study of conditional constructions
Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper
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Corpus-based evaluation of pedagogical materials: If-conditionals in ELT coursebooks and the BNC
Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper
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If-conditionals in ICLE and the BNC: a language teaching success story?
Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper
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Pedagogy-driven corpus-based lexicogrammar
Research output: Contribution to conference › Keynote
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Using corpus analysis to compare the explanatory power of linguistic theories: A case study of the modal load in if-conditionals
Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review
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If-conditionals in ICLE and the BNC: A success story for teaching or learning?
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review
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Construction Grammar vs. Lexical Grammar: A case study of the modal load in if-conditionals
Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper
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If-conditionals and modality: a corpus-based investigation
Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper