- Paperback: 364 pages
- Publisher: OUP Oxford (30 Jan 1997)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0194314561
- ISBN-13: 978-0194314565
- Product Dimensions: 23.9 x 17.3 x 2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 35,946 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Review
'An exciting and innovative book... definitely a book worth looking at, and anyone interested in the way English grammar teaching is going should get their hands on How English Works as a matter of priority!' - The TEFL Farm
Product Description
Combining rich illustrations and authentic exercises, How English Works makes the learning and practising of grammar both a pleasure and a challenge. The author's imaginative and wholly original approach to the presentation and organisation of their text offers students a lively, purposeful package to give them a confident command of English forms and their uses. Designed for students working on their own, but also ideal for use in class, How English Works covers all the key elements in the standard EFL grammar syllabus, and many other topics which are often ignored.
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First Sentence
How English Works is for learners of English who want to speak and write more correctly. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
How English Works is for learners of English who want to speak and write more correctly. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
As an EFL teacher I find this book invaluable. It divides English grammar into topic areas, and then subdivides these into lesson-length sections. The examples/exercise sentences are much less brainless than usual; quite relevant and grown-up. There are answers at the back, which may be an advantage or a disadvantage. The explanations are mercifully clear and short. The only thing I'm less keen on is (or are?) the pictures, which are scrappy and can be hard to interpret. But A1 all in all.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I have been using this book for a year and a half now, as support for students who need a quick reference for points of grammar they do not understand. It has been excellent in this way, and does not claim to be totally comprehensive (the blurb states 'intermediate - upper intermediate'). The test at the beginning is another way of saving time - finding the student's weakness, turning to the relevant page and fixing the problem.
True - English grammar is deceptively easy at the beginning, and becomes vast later on, but students have to start somewhere, and this book provides funny and relevant explanations. No book can claim to provide a purely systematic approach to English because the language simply has not evolved in such a way. No amount of snobbery can hide this fact. Moreover, the language is uniquely different from other European languages in that, for example, with English, there is no governmental body which has to authorize new vocabulary.
I have taught people of different nationalites, and I have noticed that speakers from Germanic linguistic groups, tend to want to apply the rigidity of their native languages to English. But English does not function in that way - and Swan has recognised this and has attempted to make the density of the language more accessable.
Grammar is explained in layman's terms and as concisely as possible - there are areas which seemingly overlap or contradict, but this is the nature of the English language itself. So there is an exactness about this book which I have witnessed tidy up points previously confusing for students. It is particularly good on the tenses for instance. It maintains a light-heartedness through its cartoons, which at the same time provide real and funny examples of grammar allowing the student to fully consolidate the target grammar point. This may just come down to your sense of humour - there are jokes about thieving bishops, 'armed' teachers, for instance, that I thought were hilarious!
So if you want an attractive alternative to the volumes of excercises allowing one to pound one's way through to an advanced level, without comprehending how to actually use English, then this is the book for you.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
In my opinion this is a very good grammar book. It is clear, concise and it enables students to get an understanding of the ways in which the English language works. This in itself is no easy task for any book or author.
So, in spite of some negative reviews on this site, I would not hesitate to say that you should have a look at this title because it really is unique in its approach to teaching grammar. The whole format and design is very appealing to the eye, especially when many other grammar books are so dull to read. There are frequently pictures and little captions on each page to help engage your interest. Grammar rules are summarised well, and exercises are clearly laid out.
I would recommend this to ESL teachers, and to intermediate level students (and above) who want to consolidate their knowledge of the myraid and complex workings of English.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Better than I thought
I wanted to learn the English grammer better and I was not sure what to buy. I end up buying 3 different books. This one is the one I use the most. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Eli
useful and clear
How English Works is easy to use, full of examples and makes the language seem more accessible.
I teach English and I like to use this book to evaluate my students' level and... Read more
I teach English and I like to use this book to evaluate my students' level and... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Julia Roessler
great grammar book
Clear, brief, easy to understand.
For people who need quick advice on grammar issues.
For people who need quick advice on grammar issues.
Published 19 months ago by Syl
A Useful Standby
I have used this book consistently for my first twelve months of Tefl in Prague. I generally carry it to deal with 'curve-ball' questions - it is excellent for short clear answers... Read more
Published on 30 Dec 2007 by J. R. Brodie
Waste of money
I must say I was extremely disappointed with this book. Compared to similar reference materials this book is both confused, contradictory and frequently amateurish. Read more
Published on 27 Aug 2004 by Herman Ralphbarfer
I would advise you to think again
as a trainee english teacher (TEFL) i taught 2 lessons using material lifted straight from this book, and was told after the lessons that my material was factually incorrect. Read more
Published on 9 May 2004 by Mr. D. MCSHANE
Excellent - both in the class and for self-study
I love this book and have just persuaded my employers to order it instead of the usual grammar practice book...[you know the one I mean. Read more
Published on 16 Oct 2003 by Ms. C. A. Richards
Not really up to scratch
This book does what it says, it does explain how english works, the only thing is, that it does it in a really bad way. Read more
Published on 23 Jan 2002 by mark.w-s@yahoo.co.uk
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