Dr. Yates,

Thank you for your information. Actually I have one copy of the Cobuild
Grammar, and have read about 2 out of the 10 chapters. The Cobuild Grammar
costs about US$20 (HK$140) in Hong Kong.

One of my professors who teaches pedagogical grammar also recommends me to buy
the Grammar Book. Since I can't find one in any bookstore in Hong Kong, I
ordered one copy from Amazon.com early last month, and I hope it will be
shipped to me very soon.

Best regards,
Elvis Ho


Bob Yates ????(R)e?¢X:

> Elvis Ho Ping Kwong wrote:
> >
> > I am a fresh graduate from a local university in Hong Kong. Luckily I
> > will have a chance to teach at a local secondary school in the next
> > school year. I would like to read some grammar reference books. Should I
> > obtain a copy of A Comprehensive Grammar of the English Language by R.
> > Quirk, et al?
>
> A comprehensive grammar is a very good reference to have. Here in the
> States it now sells for about $175. Given the situation you are in, I
> would recommend to grammars specifically designed for non-native
> speakers.
>
> 1) Cobuild Grammar. It is specifically designed for non-native
> speakers.  It describes British English; however, that should probably
> be the target grammar in Hong Kong.  (In the States, this almost
> impossible to find.)
>
> 2) For understanding the structure of English with recommendations for
> teaching those structures to non-native speakers, I recommend The
> Grammar Book (2nd ed.) by Celce-Murcia and Larsen-Freeman. This is
> written by Americans, but I think you will find references to British
> English when there are marked differences from American English.
>
> Bob Yates, Central Missouri State University