3 Review(s)

Essentials of English Grammar and Composition is a series of nine books. Parts 1 to 8 cater to the needs of Indian students in primary and middle classes. The last part is meant exclusively for Secondary and senior secondary classes. Each book in the series is a complete package in itself. It has separate sections dealing with grammar, vocabulary, comprehension and Composition. So the teachers do not need to look for additional books to teach reading, listening and writing skills or to enhance their students’ vocabulary. The approach we have adopted in teaching grammar may be described as ‘grammar in action’. it has three components: (I) essential grammatical concepts are explained with the help of lucid illustrations and are followed by a variety of exercises to reinforce those concepts. (Ii) some exercises are meant exclusively for oral practice. They can be done quickly but should prove to be very effective. (Iii) grammar activities will not only strengthen the students’ conceptual grasp but also promote accuracy and fluency in speaking English besides taking care of paralinguistic elements (pronunciation, intonation, pitch, pace, pauses, etc.). Some other salient features of the series are as follows: concepts have been highlighted to make them stand out on the printed page. Tips to write correctly and alerts to avoid common errors have also been highlighted. Both teachers and students will find these tips extremely useful. There are review sections to evaluate learning outcome. Exercises are sufficiently large in number and well-graded. There is also a great deal of variety in them, for they include crossword puzzles, word searches, riddles, etc. Exercises have been designed to generate positivity among students and to inculcate ethical values in them without their being conscious of it.