Form, Meaning, Use in Grammar

Prepared by: NurulJannah Nabihah binti Mohd Rodzi Saraniah A/P Kalidasan Nur Fadhilah binti Mohd Shaher Rita Doreen Richard Kok Akmal Faiz bin Azhar

F-M-U
F-M-U is a grammar teaching framework (teaching approach) where it stands for F-M-U (Form-Meaning-Use). This framework integrates grammar and its context. It was introduced by Janey Moon (2008) through a British Councils program concerning about the development of English teaching and learning in elementary school in Asia.

 English teaching and learning should follow the sequence of activities that help students to reach their optimum potentials. For this reason F-M-U framework can be used as a reference. The framework has five important elements to be applied in developing lesson plans.

The elements are Topic, Activities, Language Focus, Situation and Sequence. They are known as TAFLSS. TAFLSS.

FORM
This refers to the mechanics of the language, either in terms of grammar or vocabulary. With regards to grammar, students must understand the sentence structure of a specific grammar rule.

 In the example below is on the past perfect tense, this would be: subject | had | past participle | object/complement So whenever students want to use the past perfect tense, they have to follow this specific structure.

 With regards to vocabulary, students must understand the pronunciation of a word. If in a written text, then students must know how to spell a word. Prefixes, suffixes, and roots are also important, especially at the intermediate and advanced levels. Students should be able to breakdown the components of a word to guess at the meaning.

 Take the following prefixes: biannual - "bi" means twice, so the new meaning is "twice a year" distrust - "dis" means not, so the new meaning is "not to trust" submarine - "sub" means under, so the new meaning is "under water"

 With an understanding of prefixes and suffices, students don't always have to scurry for a dictionary every time they encounter an unknown word. However, students should also learn to readily recognize that the word may be a noun, verb, adjective, or adverb. This is becomes possible by devoting a portion of the lesson to form.

 Children are subconsciously notice form of language (grammar) and tend to use language naturally in accordance with their need.

Thus, teachers have the responsibility to attract childrens attention to language forms during English lesson, which means that the teachers are making the children aware of accurate language use both orally and written.

 Children need certain conditions to make them understand meanings of English vocabularies and to use the language in natural context. This means that the teachers have to introduce the language form with meaningful context, which to make the children feel motivated to use English as well

Some Strategies
Gameschildren raise their right hands if teacher says singular animals, and their left hands if teacher says plural animals. Writingcompleting sentences, arranging words into good sentences, or completing dialogues. Activities that increase students awareness on grammar teacher asks What is similar about these sentences? He is talking She is listening They are eating at the restaurant

MEANING
This is the mental image/comprehension that is generated by the grammar or vocabulary. Students connect the grammar structure with the meaning.

 For example, the past tense signals events in the past, the past perfect signals earlier actions/events in a narrative. Once the teacher has presented the structure, he should talk about the meaning too.

 When vocabulary is the focus of the lesson, students connect the form of the word with its meaning. This occurs both at the micro- and macrolevels. At the micro-level, the word stands alone. Students understand the image triggered by a specific word

 However, at the macro-level, a word may have a different meaning because of the sentence in which it appears. There is often nuance or some other concept generated. In addition, when someone uses a word, there may be other associated word choices selected or triggered.

 For the first step, teachers introduce a new language to children in MEANINGFUL CONTEXT to help the children understand the meaning of the language that they are learning. Meaning can be created through situations that are related to childrens life.

WAYS TO CREATE MEANING

Set situations or dialogues that are fun for children using dolls or other media. (puppet show). Using stories. Playing dramas. Using Total Physical Response (TPR) Using pictures. Using childrens experiences as learning materials.

USE
Last comes how the grammar or vocabulary gets used. For example, the past perfect tense isn't used in every sentence but rather in conjunction with the past tense. One sentence appears in the past perfect to order events, and then subsequent sentences appear in the simple past.

 Take the following short narrative: -Tom had studied English for ten years. As a result, he got a great job in England last year.

 However, use also takes into consideration phrases or certain structures that might appear more conversational, others more formal, and yet even more than a few used only in very specific industries or situations.

 Vocabulary follows the same concept, as some words are more often used in writing. Others are more often used in speaking. And many words have specific uses and appear in written communication like academic essays or business correspondence.

 Students must understand these points for effective vocabulary use, especially at the higher-levels when they acquire words with less concrete meanings. In addition, students must also realize what words or types of words are commonly associated with the vocabulary

 Of course, if the teacher tried to cover form, meaning, and use in every lesson, ensuring that students know all the ins and outs of a grammar structure or word, then not much would get done.

 What's more, the class would likely be quite boring. Consider the following ideas for effectively covering form, meaning, and use in the classroom:

 After children are exposed to English language through the situations manipulated by teachers, they also need opportunities to use English to communicate with others. They may use the language to play or to act in plays.

Sample of Activities
Games Information gap Quiz Plays Giving and following instructions to do or making something. Creating funny rhythms or songs.

Keep the explanations brief.

A simple comment that the past tense refers to events in the past serves as an adequate explanation. The same holds true of a few comments on the past perfect, or any other structure. A visual diagram and several examples also further highlight the target language.

Limit the explanation to the task/lesson at hand.

There may be several exceptions to the rule. There may be times when the language isn't used for some situation or with some medium. Yet this is all extraneous information. The teacher wants to provide just enough explanation for the students to practice the language correctly and purposefully.

Consider devoting several lessons to a specific grammar or language point.

This allows the teacher to address and practice the rules and exceptions, yet not overwhelmed the class with too much information. The teacher can also practice different skills/mediums, yet return to the same language point

 The teacher should provide several opportunities to acquire the target language during a course of study. Just because students have studied the target material once doesn't mean they can use it well.

Address grammar and vocabulary again and again

 By revisiting the target structures, then students who grasped the form have a second chance to grasp the meaning and use of the target structure. Students who grasped the meaning have a second chance for the form and use

THANK YOU