Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Teaching & Education

Understanding Text Organization

A text is an organized linguistic unit (words, phrases, sentences, periods, paragraphs, full text) structured according to the communicative situation, register of language, and communicative intentionality.

Sentence-Period

A sentence-period is a set of sentences linked by a period, covering the same subject.

Message vs. Text

The message is what is said, while the text is the organized form of what is said.

Communicative Environment

The communicative environment surrounds the issuance of a text and a message. Key questions include: "Who speaks?" and "To whom do they speak?"

Intention to Communicate

This refers to what we want to achieve with our message, such as reporting, ordering, inviting, seeking, or requesting.

The... Continue reading "Understanding Text Organization, Communication, and Language" »

Understanding the Pronoun 'SE' in Spanish

Pronominal Uses of 'SE'

1. Indirect Object Pronoun (CI)

• The pronoun 'le' (indirect object) can take the forms 'lo, la, los, las' when it precedes a direct object pronoun.
• It refers to the same person as the subject.
• This pronoun does not alter the verb's meaning.
• The verb is transitive and is accompanied by a direct object, which can be replaced by a different pronoun.

2. Reflexive and Reciprocal Pronouns

• Reflexive: The action performed by the subject reflects back on the subject itself.
  • Example: María se peina (Maria combs herself). This implies María peina a María (Maria combs Maria).
• Reciprocal: Similar to reflexive pronouns, but used with a plural subject where participants exchange actions.
  • Example: Pedro

... Continue reading "Spanish Grammar: Understanding 'SE', Pronouns, and Determiners" »

Indefinite Determiners and Pronouns

Indefinite determiners and pronouns allude to concepts such as quantity but in a generally vague and indeterminate manner. They are opposed to numerals, which indicate exact amounts.

Indefinite determiners are incompatible with non-count nouns in the plural unless referring to classes, properties, etc.

Common Indefinite Terms

• un/una (a, an)
• alguno/a/os/as (some, any)
• ninguno/a/os/as (no, none, not any)
• cualquier/a, cualesquiera (whatever, whichever)
• quienquiera, quienesquiera (whoever)
• demás (other, rest)
• otro/a/os/as (other, another)
• vario/a/os/as (various, several)
• mucho/a/os/as (much, many)
• poco/a/os/as (little, few)
• cierto/a/os/as (certain)
• más (more)
• menos (less, fewer)
• bastante/es (enough, quite a lot)
• todo/a/os/as

... Continue reading "Indefinite Determiners and Numerals Explained" »

Types of Conjunctions in Spanish

Coordinate Conjunctions

These connect elements of equal grammatical rank.

• Juxtaposed: I came, I saw, I conquered
• Coordinated (P1 - P2)
• Copulative: (y, e) Example: John studied and Anna works
• Adversative: (pero, mas, sin embargo) Example: We played well but lost
• Disjunctive: (o, u) Example: Either you come or stay
• Distributional: (ya...ya, bien...bien, unos...otros) Example: Some are playing, others do the task

Subordinate Conjunctions

These connect a subordinate clause to a main clause.

Substantive Conjunctions

These act as a noun phrase.

• Substitute for nouns or pronouns
• The conjunction acts as a link
• Subject: Example: I am concerned that I should study hard.
• (CD) Example: Andrew thinks that Carlos was right.
• (CN) Example: We

... Continue reading "Understanding Spanish Conjunctions: Types and Usage" »

Understanding Key Linguistic Concepts

Fundamentals of Language

• Language: The human capacity to communicate, transmit knowledge, and express thoughts. It encompasses various functions:
  • Emotional: Expressing feelings (e.g., "Visca!").
  • Conative: Influencing the listener (e.g., "Compte!").
  • Phatic: Establishing or maintaining communication (e.g., "Hello?").
  • Aesthetic: Focusing on the form of the message (e.g., poetry).
  • Referential: Conveying information about the world.
  • Metalinguistic: Language used to discuss language itself.
• Meaning (Signified): The concept or mental image associated with a word.
• Signifier: The written or spoken form of a word.
• Situational Context: A heterogeneous collection of extra-communicative factors and circumstances that significantly

... Continue reading "Key Linguistic Concepts and Spanish Grammatical Functions" »

English Verb Tenses Summary

Present Tenses

• Present Simple (Habitual actions): I/you/we/they → go/have. He/She/It → goes/has.
  • Example: Every day I go to school.
  • Time Markers: sometimes, usually, never, always.
• Present Continuous (Temporary actions): Are/is + -ing.
  • Example: She is eating an ice cream.
  • Time Markers: At the moment, tomorrow, today.

Past Tenses

• Past Simple (-ed / 2nd column irregular verbs). Used with When.
  • Example: He went to school.
  • Regular Verbs: Affirmative (-ed), Negative (didn't + base verb), Interrogative (Did + base verb).
  • Irregular Verbs: Affirmative (Past Simple form).
• Past Continuous (was/were + -ing). Used with While.
  • Example: He was painting his bedroom.
• Past Perfect (had + past participle).
  • Example: We had finished our meal when

... Continue reading "Essential English Grammar Rules and Verb Tenses" »

Text Linguistics and Communication

Defining Text Linguistics

Text Linguistics is the discipline that studies the text as a unit of communication.

Understanding the Text Unit

The Text refers to the unity of all oral or written communication intentionally issued by a speaker, with a particular communicative purpose and functioning as a complete unit of communication.

Essential Properties of Text

Consistency in Text

Consistency refers to the logical relationship between all parts of the text. We perceive it as a unit of meaning that:

• Presents a logical progression of ideas.
• Ensures the theme is always the same.
• Contains enough information, with facts related to the real world.

Cohesion: Unifying Text Units

Cohesion is the union or articulation of the units... Continue reading "Foundations of Text Linguistics and Literary Analysis" »

Evaluation Method

Knowledge Assessment

According to the "General Principles on Evaluation of Knowledge," the rules for the assessment of knowledge in the discipline of Oral and Written Communication are:

Continuous Assessment

This evaluation process is based on the work developed by students throughout the semester. Therefore, it requires presence (it is obligatory to attend at least 75% of classes planned for the semester) and participation in classes, in addition to performing the assigned work and exercises.

Consideration of the following forms of assessment in this model (exam waiver):

• Presence and participation in class (includes the carrying out of work and exercises) (30%)
• Presentation of a public work (40%)
• Written proof (30%)

Work and/or exercises... Continue reading "Oral and Written Communication: Evaluation and Course Outline" »

Unit 5 Vocabulary: Key Terms and Definitions

Attitudes and Authority

Liberal

(Lliurepensador/a): My parents are very liberal, and I can do what I want.

Referee

(Àrbitre): He works as a referee every weekend.

To be on your side

(Estar al teu costat): The referee is on your side.

Strict

(Estricte/a): My parents are very strict, and I can’t do what I want.

Neutral

(Ser neutral): The referee is never neutral.

Settle for

(Conformar-se): She settled for that job.

Actions and Events

Overhear

(Escoltar quelcom per accident): I overheard my parents' conversation.

Flee

(Fugir): The thief decided to flee.

Get away

(Marxar): The thief didn’t want to get away.

Bury

(Entarrar): They buried their treasure.

Nod

(Afirmar amb el cap): George nodded his head in agreement.... Continue reading "Essential English Vocabulary: Actions, Family, and Status Terms" »

English Verb Tenses: A Comprehensive Look

Past Simple

• Usage: For definite or concrete moments in the past.
• Positive Form: Subject + Verb (2nd form or -ed)
• Negative Form: Subject + did not + Verb (base form)
• Question Form: Did + Subject + Verb (base form)?

Past Continuous

• Usage: For actions in progress at a specific time in the past, or actions of ongoing duration in the past.
• Positive Form: Subject + was / were + Verb + -ing
• Negative Form: Subject + was not / were not + Verb + -ing
• Question Form: Was / Were + Subject + Verb + -ing?

Past Perfect

• Usage: To express actions that happened before another action in the past.
• Positive Form: Subject + had + Verb (past participle / 3rd column)
• Negative Form: Subject + had not + Verb (past participle / 3rd column)
• Question

... Continue reading "Mastering English Grammar: Tenses, Modals, and Conditionals" »