Teach English in Sanhechang Zhen - Bazhong Shi

Be careful with the articles When speaking English language it is the question of vital importance to keep in mind the proper use of articles. I want to describe the typical mistakes, which students commit, and interesting samples, which I used to correct them. In my practice I had to explain very often the correct use of articles in simple words, based on particular samples. For young students and beginners this method is very effective. If every time I have to recite grammatical rules, the students will be tired and annoyed. And lose the interest. For example: If someone tell: My father is the engineer. I am the sailor. My sister has married the Georgian. I may say that “in another words you mean: your father is the only engineer in the region, you are the most important person in the navy, and your sister had married the only Georgian in the city?!” In a joking tone, of course, not sarcastic. I suppose for many students this phrase may prove to be self-explanatory. Let`s take a heavenly body- the Moon. The explanation is very easy, so if someone say “a moon” an English speaking person may ask very politely: “Did you expect to see many moons there?” But: “a mysterious moon” is a bit more complicated idea. A good sample: “The moon came up, a young silver moon, bright against the pale summer sky.” Two different articles for “one body” In many cases the correct use of articles depends on the meaning only, while the determinant word or phrase is absent. Let me introduce a good limerick, which I use for reading and discussion: There was a young lady of Niger who smiled, when she rode on a tiger they returned from the ride with the lady inside and the smile on the face of the tiger. The use of articles in this limerick usually rise a lively discussion among the students. The dubious meaning, “Just a smile on the tiger`s face” or “The same smile, which was shining previously on the girl`s face” create a good mood and full understanding what is the difference. As a result, the congenial conclusion is made, and most of the students never forget it. However, sometimes the line is very fine. Let`s apply to William Shakespeare. All the world is a stage And all the men and women merely players They have their exits and their entrances And one man in his time plays many parts His acts been seven ages. At first the infant Mewling and puking in the nurse’s arms; And then the whining school-boy, with his satchel And shining morning face, creeping like snail Unwillingly to school. And then the lover, Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad Made to his mistress’ eyebrow. Then A SOLDIER, Full of strange oaths, and bearded like the pad, Jealous in honour, sudden and quick in quarrel, Seeking the bubble reputation Even in the cannon’s mouth. And then the justice, In fair round belly with good capon lin’d, With eyes severe and beard of formal cut, Full of wise saws and modern instances; And so he plays his part…. I understand that poetry is not a usual everyday speech, but WHY when mentioned “a soldier”, Shakespeare used article “A”? A good subject for a discussion. In my opinion, from William Shakespeare`s viewpoint soldiers are much more different among themselves, unlike lovers, for example. All the lovers are equally “crazy”, all of them are “sighing like furnace” and so on. In similar way all the aged people are: With eyes severe and beard of formal cut, Full of wise saws and modern instances. It is just my opinion. No any grammar rules are eligible here. Only deep meaning, no more than that.