Title: Learning from our learners
1Learning from our learners grammar
- Dr Anne OKeeffe,
- MIC, University of Limerick, Ireland
2Cambridge Learner Corpus
- It contains over 35 million words from Cambridge
exam scripts from over - 135,000 exam scripts
- 130 different first languages
- 190 different countries
See http//www.cambridge.org/elt/corpus/learner_c
orpus2.htm
3Practical application of learner corpus
- English Profile
- Research
- Materials design
- What students get wrong helps identify typical
errors. - What students get right gives good model
sentences and tells us about typical competencies.
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7- to do sports not to make sports
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9Polish B1 BECP
Turkish B1 BECP
Swiss (German L1) B1 BECP
France B1 BECP
Turkish B1 BECP
Swiss (German L1) B1 BECP
Swiss (German L1) B1 BECP
Swiss (German L1) B1 BECP
German B1 BECP
Swiss (German L1) B1 BECP
Swiss (German L1) B1 BECP
Swiss (German L1) B1 BECP
Swiss (German L1) B1 BECP
German B1 BECP
10Percentage errors make/do
11Looking forward to
- What range of errors do you expect to find?
- At what level do you think learners will, on the
whole, get it right?
12- I am looking forward ltRTgtfortolt/RTgt your
reply. (BECP Greece B1 2003) - I'm looking forward ltRTgtfromtolt/RTgt hearing
from you. (FCE Brazil B2 2000) - We are looking forwardltRTgtintolt/RTgt hearing
from you. (FCE Malaysia B2 1997) - I am looking forward ltRTgtoftolt/RTgt hearing
from you. (FCE Greece B2 1993) - I'm looking forward ltRTgtontolt/RTgt hearing from
you. (PET France B1 2003)
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14Looking forward for
looking forward for
15Lets focus on the word opinion and its patterns
- What patterns for the word opinion can do you
expect to find in the learner corpus?
16All of the following patterns are found in the
Cambridge Learner Corpus
on my opinion in my opinion of my opinion to
my opinion under my opinion to be of the opinion
that
17Cambridge Learner Corpus
18in my opinion
19in my opinion
20Learner Corpus In my opinion in my opinion
21Examples from the BNC
- These things are usually, in my opinion, anyway,
er, er the results are often accidents. - There has unfortunately in my opinion been a
change of attitude about which cases to
prosecute. - Terrible shame in my opinion that that building
was demolished, allowed to go to wrack and ruin,
er and then demolished.
22Examples from the Learner Corpus
- In my opinion the best means of getting to work
is by bicycle (FCE Italy B2 VANTAGE 1993) - So, in my opinion, I'm really looking forward to
the next music festival. (577965 FCE China B2
VANTAGE 1997) - In my opinion, it seems that we achieved the aim
satisfactorily, even though it was not easy.
(CAE Japan C1 EFFECTIVE OPERATIONAL
PROFICIENCY 2000) - A lot of people prefer cats to dogs, but, in my
opinion, cats are only interested in food, not in
you. (581974 FCE Italy B2 VANTAGE 1997)
23Some Turkish examples
- In my opinion you should go to Antalya. (2605889
Preliminary English Test Turkey B1 THRESHOLD
2008 Turkish Pass) - In my opinion, a friendly receptionist is the
essence of a welcoming reception.... (571244
First Certificate in English Turkey B2 VANTAGE
1999 Turkish Pass) - In my opinion life is extremely difficult and
complicated for mankind. (584268 Certificate of
Proficiency in English Turkey C2 MASTERY 1998
Turkish Fail) - In my opinion this film also has very good camera
work. (587238 First Certificate in English
Turkey B2 VANTAGE 1999 Turkish Pass)
24Will have participle
- At what level do you think learners begin to use
it? - At what level is it criterial?
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27B2 been been increasing finished increased scored
C1 been disappeared determined disappointed improv
ed lived made taken settled down spent
C2 been delivered gained increased lived succeede
d
28I cant use it.
I try to use it but mostly get it wrong.
I use it and usually get it right.
29English Profile project getting a fuller profile
Exam syllabi
Corpus
30In conclusion
- By using a corpus of learner writing, we can
learn more about our students grammar patterns
at different levels. - More research into learner patterns in needed.
- For grammar materials writers, the Learner Corpus
is the key resource on which to base materials.
31Thank you for listening!
32http//www.englishprofile.org/
33How can you get involved?
- contribute learner data to our corpus
- contribute to our research with ELT professionals
- submit a research proposal
- use website to find out about English Profile
news, events and publications