All are welcome to join an upcoming American TESOL Webinar on Morphology and Syntax. In the ever-evolving field of English language teaching, a deep understanding of how words are formed and how sentences are structured is paramount to effective instruction. Join us on December 15th at 10:00 AM EDT with renowned expert Jason R. Levine to guide us through these foundational linguistic concepts, offering practical insights that TESOL teachers can immediately apply in their classroom to enhance student comprehension and fluency.
Grammar: The Entire Rulebook
Think of Grammar as the overarching system of rules that governs how a language works. It’s the complete rulebook that dictates how words, phrases, clauses, and sentences are formed to create meaningful communication.
While some students may associate “grammar” solely with sentence-level correctness, the concept is far broader. It often encompasses:
- Morphology (word structure)
- Syntax (sentence structure)
- Other systems like phonology (sound system) and semantics (meaning)
In short, if it’s a rule that makes English comprehensible, it falls under the umbrella of grammar.
Morphology: The Building Blocks of Words
Morphology is the study of the internal structure of words and the rules for forming them. It focuses on the smallest meaningful units of a language, which are called morphemes.
Imagine Morphology as the building blocks of words. Understanding morphemes helps students decode complex vocabulary and build new words. Morphemes include:
- Prefixes (like un- in unhappy)
- Suffixes (like -able in readable)
- Root words (the core meaning)
Example: Analyzing a Morpheme
Consider the word “unbreakable”:
- un-: A prefix meaning “not” (negation)
- break: The root word (core action)
- -able: A suffix meaning “capable of“
By teaching students how to recognize these morphemes, you equip them with a powerful tool for vocabulary acquisition.
Syntax: The Blueprint for Sentences
Syntax is the study of the rules that govern how words are combined to form larger units like phrases, clauses, and ultimately, sentences. It is essentially the rules for word order and sentence structure.
Syntax is the blueprint for sentences. It determines the correct sequence of the main parts of a sentence, such as the standard Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) order in English.
- Correct SVO Example: The dog (S) chases (V) the cat (O).
Poor syntax can result in completely confusing or grammatically incorrect sentences, even if every individual word is correctly formed.
- Correct Syntax: She quickly ate the apple.
- Incorrect Syntax: Apple ate the quickly she. (The intended meaning is lost due to incorrect word order.)
Teaching proper syntax is vital for ensuring your students’ communication is clear, unambiguous, and easily understood by native speakers.
Webinar Details & Registration
A deep, practical command of Morphology and Syntax moves you beyond simply correcting errors and toward truly diagnosing the source of language difficulty. This session, led by expert Jason R. Levine, is designed to give you that elevated perspective. Don’t miss this opportunity to transform your approach to teaching grammar and empower your students with the tools to master the English language structure.
Click here to join live on December 15th, 2025 at 10:00 AM EDT!
About the Presenter: Jason R. Levine is a highly regarded linguist and TESOL expert known for his practical, engaging approach to complex topics. He specializes in bridging theoretical knowledge with classroom application, making him the perfect guide for this essential session.
