Background
on the Aegweb Project
Applied
English Grammar on the Web is
a collection of grammar activities for ESL writing students who are preparing
to enter U.S. colleges and universities. While the exercises are
planned for intermediate to high intermediate students, they might also
be useful for advanced students who need to review particular areas
of grammar.
All of the
areas traditional for ESL grammar textbooks are included--nouns,
verbs, articles, prepositions, and more! But the material has been
developed from the point of view of the ESL student who needs to learn
to be a more effective writer of academic English. Punctuation is
included as an important aspect of academic written English.
The first seven
chapters focus on the use of verbs in particular kinds of writing.
The final nine chapters are a reference grammar on topics of most importance
to ESL students.
While it can
be used alone, Applied English Grammar on the Web (AEGWeb) is designed
to complement the printed version of Applied English Grammar that
is available through Heinle
Publishing Company. The printed version has grammar explanations
and examples along with practice activities and discussion topics. AEGWeb
is focused entirely on practice exercises--most of which are based on
the activities in the printed version.
Thanks are
extended to Heinle Publishing Companry for giving permission for the development
of this project.
Development
Plan
Aegweb is designed to be an entire book of grammar activities on the web. Eventually, each of the 16 chapters in the book will have 5-30 activities. In addition, self-knowledge quizzes will be provided for each of the 16 chapters. Most of these activities are based on activities already found in the printed version of Applied English Grammar.
As of October, 2007, each chapter had at least 2 activities--and some chapters had many more--with a total of 132 exercises available on the website. The development plan focuses on working through each chapter in the book to provide larger sets of activities. Once the basic activities are in place, they will be enhanced with audio and graphics as appropriate to support student learning.
The RealAudio readings of selected activities will be added on an ongoing basis. The basic activities will be placed on the site without the RealAudio clip because the activity can be done without the sound support. However, the sound provides an extra dimension for learners and will be added as quickly as possible.
Communication Information
AEGWeb is edited and maintained by Dr. Patricia Byrd. Please send comments, questions, and suggestions to her at patbyrd@comcast.net.
