Improve your Grammar Skills.
Get better at writing and communication.
We all use language in some form and we combine words to effectively communicate with others, both in the written and spoken forms. This course will help to improve the way you communicate in English, by strengthening your grammar and punctuation and introducing you to concepts of style and purpose; how your writing can and should change to ensure your meaning is clear in any context.
We rely on punctuation and grammar to enhance the way that our words are received by others and to reduce misunderstandings.
Grammar provides a coherent structure for the expression of thoughts and ideas. By following grammatical rules, we are able to compile logical sentences that make sense to the receiver. Punctuation is used to create sense within the correct grammar, indicating such things as start and end of sentences, spaces, groupings, questions and so on.
This course can help English speakers to improve their grammar, punctuation and control of language elements, particularly in written communication. For speakers of English as a second language, it will help to clarify some of the rules to follow in both written and spoken language.
The Lessons
Lesson 1 Introduction - The Components of Language
Root Words, Prefixes and Suffixes, and Clauses
Lesson 2 Types of Words
Pronouns, Adjectives and Adverbs, with rules and examples
Lesson 3 Punctuation
Commas, Colons, Semi colons, Quotation marks and more
Lesson 4 Upper and Lower Case, Abbreviations, Numbers, Bullet points
Rules and Guidelines for their use.
Lesson 5 Using Words Together
Clauses and Phrases
Sentence types and construction
Writing clearly and appropriately in different contexts (books, periodicals, online etc)
Language styles- persuasive, imaginative, formal, colloquial and more.
Language for purpose - narratives, recounts, expositions, reports and more.
Final Assessment
Course Features
- Enrol any time of day or night.
- Start studying immediately or later (as you wish).
- Configure your study sessions at any length and frequency you wish.
- Work through at your own pace.
- Help desk- contact our help desk here with the subject title: 'Help Desk Short Course'.
- Automated self assessment tests pop up at the end of each lesson. You can attempt these as many times as you wish; and each time, upon completion, you can see your results. You will need internet access to complete the self assessment tests.
- At the end of the whole course, you are presented with a major automated examination which can be attempted online, anywhere, anytime.
- If you achieve a 60% pass in the exam, you immediately receive a downloadable certificate of completion with your name on it.
LEARN TO UNDERSTAND ENGLISH BETTER
What we want you to learn from this course is how to correctly use English grammar and the elements of good writing. Remember that the grammar of any language is quite complex, and can sometimes be hard to understand. However, you will need to understand grammatical terms in order to complete tasks and exercises.
Eventually, with a lot of practice, you will learn how to use grammar correctly. You will find that you can identify the subject, object or predicate of a sentence, and tell when they are not used correctly. You will develop a sense of correct use of tense (past, present and future), and not have to remember that ‘have been’ is in present perfect tense in order to use it correctly. Then, you will no longer need to remember the terms.
Do your best to understand the terms. As you go about your daily affairs, try to notice examples in correct grammar in different pieces of writing. If you are confused or find a term or element of grammar difficult to understand, contact your tutor by email. And remember to practise, practise, practise.
Using English
English is not made up of a definite set of rules that you can follow to produce correct English; appropriate use of English depends on the situation or context for example:
- When you speak to a friend, the language used will differ to that used when speaking to an employer, doctor, public dignitary and so on.
- When you are speaking on the telephone or writing an email your language will be different to that used in a face to face situation.
- When you are discussing a serious issue the language used will differ to that used when relating a humorous situation or telling a joke.
- Learning how to use the most appropriate language for the situation will help to efficiently break down language barriers.
- Learning how to use the correct words for the message you are trying to send will do the same thing.
In order for you to effectively understand and communicate in English you will need to:
- Know the meaning of the words you use and understand that some words may have more then one meaning.
- Know what other words they are used with.
- Know when to use them i.e. the appropriate situation.
- Know inappropriate use of words or terms i.e. ‘Get here’ will send a different message to ‘Come here please’.
- Know the appropriate order of words within a sentence so as to convey your intended meaning.
Although there may be no definite set of rules for you to follow in every situation - understanding the basic principles of English grammar will help you to overcome the above problems.
SAMPLE PAGES FROM THE COURSE
Support along the Way from Experts
You have access to expert tutors through our student help desk all the time you are studying this course. Our school maintains help desks in both of our offices -in Australia and the UK; and has staff on duty five days a week manning phones, online chat and emails. Any questions that you have about what you are studying will be dealt with promptly (usually the same working day, often immediately).
If there is something you read or research that you don't understand, ask for help.
If you want to learn more about something you encounter through these studies, have a conversation with one of our faculty tutors
If you need direction to find more information, ask
If you need advice on moving forward with your work, career or studies after the course ask. (Free career and business advice).