How We Use English to Communicate: An Introduction

by Kenneth D. Chastain

The purpose of this book is to describe the communicative functions of the parts of speech in such a way that students can understand how we use English to communicate.

Genres: Nonfiction

120 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 3, 2014

Reviews

[Camille · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as a giveaway winner, and I really enjoyed it! I was interested in it from the beginning for two reasons, the first being that I'm a writer who loves languages, and the second being that I teach English (ESL). I think that the way in which Chastain talks about the parts of speech is very easy for students to understand. He relates his created terminology to the historical terms students must learn in order to fully master the English language, but he does so in a very simple and relatable way. The book is also full of fantastic exercises that will help students apply what they've learned. I'm looking forward to using some of his strategies in my future classes.

[Lori · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received a Kindle version of this book as part of a Goodreads giveaway.
This is a good basic introduction to the parts of grammar. It describes what each part does then at the end of each chapter it gives the formal name. There is an overview of traditional grammar vocabulary at the end of the book.

It seems to be appropriate for middle-school kids. I think it would be great for parents of homeschoolers who are nervous about teaching grammar. It is quite short, maybe two weeks of teaching. A 3 star book

I teach ESL to fairly advanced adults who are highly educated. This would not be appropriate for them. They have already learned the parts of grammar, better than me actually. Any group of students who already know the parts of a sentence would not find this useful.

The Kindle version needs serious editing, losing a star. There is no hyper Table of Contents and the 'Table of Contents' in the book does not have hyper-links. While they are doing this they should also add a hyper-link from each of the exercises to the answers. Finally the cover shows hands holding ball point pens, which makes it appear completely out of date.

[Zed · Rating 3 out of 5]

American students know very little about their own language. In fact, many schools no longer teach English grammar. When I read this in the blurb I remembered being told once that in Australia in the early '90s grammar wasn't part of the school curriculum because apparently it was thought that children would just "pick it up naturally" and there was no need for it to be taught!

This was an interesting introductory book about grammar with a different, easy approach to conveying basic grammar and how we communicate every day. There are exercises to practise and get you thinking about how we use these words and what their function is in a sentence. The proper terminology is also included at the end of each section so you can link what you've learned to the proper context. By deconstructing the grammar and putting it all back together you're able to learn and understand how it works and why it's important to know!

*I received a free copy of this book through Goodreads Giveaways*

[Kelly Knapp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great introductory grammar text for students and excellent add on text for speech class. Gammar is often seen as complex and difficult but if taught as part of a comprehensive language arts program it is not too difficult to pick up. However, what does one do if grammar was not equally stressed in early education? This book is a great example of learning grammar at an older age, including ESL. However, I noticed that this one would make a great add on text for speech classes. Finally, this would make a great desk top reference manual for regular review for people with professions that include writing or speeches for communication among their cohorts.

[Babajaga · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won a Kindle version of this book in a Goodreads giveaway. I appreciate the author's effort to make English grammar more accessible. I believe many explanations and exercises in the book can be very helpful for students, but some I found somewhat cumbersome and I wonder if unnecessarily complicated. But I agree with another reviewer's opinion that this could be a good resource for teaching English as a second language.

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grammar Explained

The author explains English grammar in other terms and then gives the common names for these terms in English. I read it as a middle school teacher of English, but determined that this book is really for high school or adult students who need to describe English. I think it could be confusing for younger students.

[Meagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Informational

Good for a refresher course and for practice to keep this information fresh. Covers topics more in-depth than some school classes.

[Ramona · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is just another way to learn what we were taught in English class throughout are childhood. I won this book through a giveaway on Goodreads website.

[Bobbi Iszler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Concise

This book really helped my understanding on English grammar and how it is defined. I really enjoyed the thorough yet concise explanations.

[John]

Great I won the giveaway, can't wait to start reading

[Burma Turner]

I won this on Goodreads.
I did not finish this book. It is just not for me. For someone learning the English language, it would be great.

[Crystal · Rating 1 out of 5]

Workbook

Just a little workbook about several types of nouns, verbs, and adverbs. Some answers are in the back of the book and others need to be viewed online.

[Jodi]

Did not get nook

[Glenna Turney · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I won this Book from Goodreads. Thank you!
First of all, I hated diagraming sentences in school. When I read the intro to this book, my first thought was Jr High English. Maybe I’m older and more open to learning, teachers were so boring back then.
I really truly believe if this book was used by Jr/High school students, things will click. Great introduction book.
Excellent book for anyone wanting to learn diagraming sentences.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting resource for those teaching English to speakers of other languages.