UNIT 4 : FUNCTIONS

Functions, something that I learned about it is that it refers to the purpose to use the language. However, having something else to say to the previous idea according Nordquist (2015) is that a function can be determined by the position of a word. It can be for inviting, advising, apologizing, greeting, clarifying, thanking, agreeing, disagreeing, refusing, interrupting and expressing obligation or preferences. Besides, the language that we use in each function is called exponent. According to Tutor (2012) exponents sometimes are sets of phrases. For instance, Do you mind if I…? or Please can I…?

In contrast, those exponents show levels of formality and they are formal and informal. Formal language is used in official situations while informal is sometimes colloquial and it appears in conversations among friends. Nonetheless, there exist another kind of exponent which is called neutral; it is about showing neither great respect nor too much confidence towards a person. Besides, this levels of formality are useful to allow people to choose the appropriate language for a situation because of there are sometimes that people and students apply inappropriate language. For example, when they talk with authorities of an institution. According to  Nordquist (2016) functions are too complicated to make learners learn; nevertheless, they can acquire this knowledge by putting into practice some tasks; such as, showing through sentences by using whatever tense.

To sum up, functions are not too difficult to teach but the exponents that each one involves are too extensive. So, I think that in order to deal with this problem I can apply some of the activities that were listed in the previous paragraph and also make students practice those expressions focusing in situations of the real life.

REFERENCES:

Nordquist, R. (2015). Grammatical function. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-a-grammatical-function-1690821

Nordquist, R. (2016). Function word (grammar). Retrieved  from https://www.thoughtco.com/function-word-grammar-1690876

Tutor, M. O. (2012). Functions and Exponents.Retrieved from http://myonlineenglishtutor-co-uk.blogspot.com/2012/09/tefl-functions-and-exponents.html