Who is this for?

• Have you studied grammar for a long time, but can't seem to make any progress?
• Do you make the 'same old' errors when speaking or writing, even though you can do grammar exercises easily?
• Do you want to make a better impression when speaking or writing?
• Is your grammar at a very advanced level, but you would still like to sound more 'natural' or communicate more effectively?

If any (or all) of the above apply, then this series of Advice Sheets is for you!

The aim of this leaflet

This introductory leaflet is a guide to our Grammar Advice Sheets (G2-G6). It provides a brief description of each Advice Sheet so that you can see which ones might be appropriate for you. Advice Sheets G2 and G3 (see below) give introductory advice about learning English Grammar. It's a good idea to start with these, especially if you are starting out on self-access Grammar learning, or using the SAC resources for the first time. Advice Sheets G4-G6 give suggestions about learning Grammar for particular purposes or for learning particular types of Grammar.

SAC Advice Sheets

• Planning your Grammar Learning (G2)
  If you are not sure how to go about learning Grammar by yourself, or where to start, this Advice Sheet will help you. It gives advice about every stage of the learning process, from identifying your needs to setting objectives and evaluating your progress.


• Choosing Materials for Grammar Learning (G3)
  This Advice Sheet presents a classified index of all SAC Grammar resources and recommended Web resources, to make it easier for you to find suitable materials. The Advice Sheet also provides a series of questions to consider when choosing Grammar materials.


• Grammar for Writing (G4)
  This Advice Sheet is for those who want to improve their accuracy when writing. It suggests strategies that you can use to learn Grammar effectively.


• Improving Sentence Structure and Style (G5)
  This Advice Sheet is for those who want to improve their sentence structure or to develop the style and variety of their sentences. It refers you to useful SAC and Web materials.


• Grammar for Speaking (G6)
  This Advice Sheet is for those who want to improve their accuracy when speaking. It suggests strategies that you can use to learn Grammar effectively.

Understanding Grammar Terminology

Grammar categories are not always classified under the terms you are familiar with. For example, 'The definite article' may be classified under 'Articles' or 'Determiners'. If you come across Grammar terminology you don't know, it's worth checking to see if the section contains something you want to learn. There is a very useful and clear glossary of 'Language Terminology' in Practical English Usage (pp. xxi-xxix) in the SAC Area A.

And Now ...

If you would like any help or advice, or just a chat about your progress, please get in touch - we are here to support your independent learning! To contact us:

• see an Adviser, on duty at the SAC Advice Desk (for details of advisers and their availability, please go to http://lc.ust.hk/~sac/sacadviser.html)
• e-mail lcsac (lccommons@ust.hk) with your query;
• ask at the reception counter of the SAC — if the receptionist cannot help you directly, s/he will pass your query on to one of the SAC advisers.
• consider joining the following Co-curricular Course:
  Enhancing English Accuracy (http://lc.ust.hk/~support/coc/course.html#eea)

Note

This is part of the Improving Your Grammar series of leaflets supporting independent learning, produced by the HKUST Language Center SAC team. This leaflet was written by Richard Pemberton, 2001. Version 4. Last updated, 19 February 2001. If you copy from this leaflet, please acknowledge the source. Thanks.