Editor: Viv Edwards (University of Reading, UK)
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Volume: 14 Number: 3 Page: 151–163
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Misconceptions and Difficulties in the Acquisition of Metalinguistic Knowledge
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Debra Myhill
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This paper describes the outcomes of an investigation into the misconceptions and difficulties encountered when learning grammar. The study is based on evidence collected from a class of twelve-year-olds
who were engaged upon a workscheme focusing on grammar, andtwo cohortsof PGCE English students undertaking an intensive grammar course. The analysis suggests that learning metalinguistic knowledge can be
made problematic for several reasons. Firstly, learning is confounded by the acquired misconceptions which learners bring with them, often misconceptions created by teachers and textbooks. Secondly, there
are specific characteristics of English grammar which cause confusion, particularly the mobility of word class. Finally, the process of acquiring metalinguistic knowledge can be hampered by cognitive difficulties
related to the conceptual demands of grammar, the transfer of learning from passive to active understanding, and the patterns of inter-connected learning in grammar. The paper suggests that too much professional
energy has been attributed to the debate about whether grammar should be taught or not, whilst insufficient research resource has been allocate to investigating how pupils learn. The findings point to a
need for development of metalinguistic subject knowledge in teachers and for further research on pupil acquisition of metalinguistic knowledge.
© Multilingual Matters 2000
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