Teaching Grammar to Junior Bachelor Students by Means of Authentic English Texts

Authors

  • Oleksandra Popova

    Department of Translation, Theoretical and Applied Linguistic, Faculty of Foreign Languages, State Institution "South Ukrainian National Pedagogical University named after K. D. Ushynsky", 65000 Odesa, Ukraine

  • Ilona Derik

    Department of Translation, Theoretical and Applied Linguistic, Faculty of Foreign Languages, State Institution "South Ukrainian National Pedagogical University named after K. D. Ushynsky", 65000 Odesa, Ukraine

  • Natalia Korolyova

    Department of Translation, Theoretical and Applied Linguistic, Faculty of Foreign Languages, State Institution "South Ukrainian National Pedagogical University named after K. D. Ushynsky", 65000 Odesa, Ukraine

  • Oleksandra Morhun

    Department of Translation, Theoretical and Applied Linguistic, Faculty of Foreign Languages, State Institution "South Ukrainian National Pedagogical University named after K. D. Ushynsky", 65000 Odesa, Ukraine

  • Viktoriia Dashkova

    Department of Slavic Linguistics, Faculty of History and Philology, State Institution "South Ukrainian National Pedagogical University named after K. D. Ushynsky", 65000 Odesa, Ukraine

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v7i9.10757
Received: 27 June 2025 | Revised: 7 July 2025 | Accepted: 16 July 2025 | Published Online: 11 September 2025

Abstract

Some modern tendencies in the field of teaching grammar to junior bachelor students by means of authentic English texts are presented in this article. This article aims to provide a didactic justification and experimental verification of the methods for effective development of future philologists' basic language competencies under dominant conditions of authentic textual activity in relation to teaching English grammar, as well as to develop an appropriate methodology for teaching it. Popular theoretical concepts of grammar and its teaching methods are described, and a methodological model for developing grammar language skills using authentic material compiled from a linguistic corpus (BNC) as well as while working with the entire text of Pamela Travers's "Mary Poppins" is demonstrated. The authors propose the experimental training for junior bachelor students that enables their academic progress in mastering their grammar skills based on the authentic material, and they highlight the importance of the competence-based approach in shaping effective methodological support. A set of methodological tools which could facilitate academic success is specified: integrative learning; interactive teaching/learning; digitalisation of education; the communication-centred principle; the principle of differentiation; the principle of availability and affordability; the principle of consciousness, and the activity-based principle. The students' learning outcomes following the initiated experimental teaching/learning are clarified, and certain beneficial curricular activities (e.g., exercises, assignments) are suggested.

Keywords:

Teaching Grammar; Develop Grammar Skills; Authentic English Texts; Linguistic Corpus

References

[1] Khamza, A., Zhanguttin, B., Omarbekova, A., et al., 2024. Digital technologies in education. Sci Herald Uzhhorod Univ Ser Phys. 55, 955−1964. DOI: https://doi.org/10.54919/physics/55.2024.195bw5

[2] De Costa, P.I., Park, J.S.-Y., Wee, L., 2016. Language learning as linguistic entrepreneurship: Implications for language education. The Asia-Pacific Education Researcher. 25(5–6), 695–702. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40299-016-0302-5

[3] De Costa, P.I., Park, J.S.-Y., Wee, L., 2021. Why linguistic entrepreneurship? Multilingua. 40(2), 139−153. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/multi-2020-0037

[4] Curry, N., McEnery, T., 2025. Corpus linguistics for language teaching and learning: A research agenda. Language Teaching. 58(2), 232−251. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0261444824000430

[5] Crosthwaite, P. (ed.), 2024. Corpora for Language Learning: Bridging the Research-Practice Divide, 1st ed. Routledge: London, UK. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003413301

[6] Sirojiddinova, I.M., 2025. Informatization of education as a means of increasing the effectiveness of the educational process. European Journal of Interdisciplinary Research and Development. 36, 94−97. Available from: https://ejird.journalspark.org/index.php/ejird/article/view/1298 (cited 12 February 2025)

[7] Omelchenko, I.M., Kondratiuk, Z.V., Kobylchenko, V.V., 2025. The personality-oriented technology developing professional identity in specialists (consultants) working at inclusive resource centers: the theoretical and methodological substantiation. Habitus. 1 (69), 197−202. DOI: https://doi.org/10.32782/2663-5208

[8] Salmanova, S., 2025. Communicative Approach in Foreign Language Teaching: Advantages and Limitations. EuroGlobal Journal of Linguistics and Language Education. 2(1), 79−88. DOI: https://doi.org/10.69760/egjlle.250009

[9] Huslenko, I.Y. (ed.)., 2018. Lecture Notes on the Subject “Methodology of Teaching Foreign Languages”: for Fifth-Year Students of the Faculty “Referent-translator”, Majoring in Specialty 035 Philology. House of the National Academy of Sciences: Kharkiv, Ukraine. p. 64. Available from: https://nua.kharkov.ua/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Gyslenko-metodika.pdf (cited 12 February 2025) (in Ukrainian)

[10] Holyk, S.V., 2021. Theoretical Grammar of Modern English: Morphology, Syntax, Modular Control Works and Final Test Tasks; Teaching-Methodological Manual for Students of the Faculty of Foreign Philology. UzhNU: Uzhhorod, Ukraine. p. 88.

[11] Baidak, L.I., 2018. Peculiarities of teaching foreign language grammar to students of non-linguistic universities. In: Problems and Prospects of the Development of Modern Science in the Countries of Europe and Asia: Collection of Scientific Works. Pereyaslav-Khmelnytskyi State Pedagogical University: Pereyaslav-Khmelnytskyi, Ukraine. 184–189. Available from: http://repo.snau.edu.ua/handle/123456789/6088 (cited 12 February 2025) (in Ukrainian)

[12] Ma, Q., Yuan, R., Cheung, L.M.E., Yang, J., 2022. Teacher paths for developing corpus-based language pedagogy: a case study. Computer. Assisted Language Learning. 37(3), 1–32. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09588221.2022.2040537

[13] Sysoiev, P.V., Yevstyhnieiev, M.M., 2008. Development of information competence of specialists in the field of foreign language teaching. Language and Culture. 4, 96–109.

[14] Romanova, O.O., Mudryk, O.V., 2022. Current methods of using computer technologies in teaching English language to students of non-speaking high schools. Prospects and innovations of science (Series “Psychology”, Series “Pedagogy”, Series “Medicine”). 12(17), 416–426. DOI: https://doi.org/10.52058/2786-4952-2022-12(17)-416-426 (in Ukrainian)

[15] Myroliubov, A.A., Rakhmanova, I.V., 2021. General Methodology of Teaching Foreign Languages in Secondary School.Shlyakh: Kyiv, Ukraine. p. 210. (in Ukrainian)

[16] Ter-Minasova, S.H., 2000. Language and Intercultural Communication. Slovo: Kyiv, Ukraine. p. 261. Available from: https://vassilenkoanatole.narod.ru/olderfiles/1/ter-minassova.pdf (cited 12 February 2025)(in Ukrainian)

[17] Horhosh, L.I., 2010. Linguistic foundations of grammar teaching methodology in primary school classes. Science and Education. 7, 59–64. Available from: http://dspace.pdpu.edu.ua/handle/123456789/13771 (cited 12 February 2025) (in Ukrainian)

[18] Vitlin, Z.L., 2000. Modern problems of teaching foreign language grammar. Foreign languages at school. 5, 34–50.

[19] Pasov, Y.I., 1998. Fundamentals of Foreign Language Teaching Methodology. Ukrainska mova Publishing House: Kyiv, Ukraine. p. 278. (in Ukrainian)

[20] Minyar-Beloruchev, R.K., 2000. Primitive grammar for learners of a foreign language. Foreign Languages at School. 4, 27−29. Available from: https://rusneb.ru/catalog/000200_000018_RU_NLR_INFOCOMM7_1000009128/ (cited 12 February 2025) (in Ukrainian)

[21] Ur, Penny., 2002. A Course in Language Teaching: Practice and Theory. CambridgeUniversity Press: Cambrige, UK. p. 475. Available from: https://sacunslc.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/penny-ur-a-course-in-language-teaching-practice-of-theory-cambridge-teacher-training-and-development-1996.pdf (cited 22 February 2025)

[22] Lizenin, S.M., 2003. Grammar in the Course of Intensive English Language Learning in Senior Secondary School. Vitrylo: Kharkiv, Ukraine.

[23] Kolker, Y.M., Ustynova, Y. S., Yenaliieva, T.M., 2000. Practical methodology of teaching a foreign language. Academia: Kyiv, Ukraine. 264. Available from: https://f.eruditor.link/file/240272/ (cited 22 February 2025) (in English/Ukrainian)

[24] Krutskykh, O.V., 2003. Communication-oriented teaching of grammar at the advanced stage in a humanitarian-linguistic gymnasium. Foreign Languages in Education. 6, 81–99.

[25] Melnychenko, H.V., 2010. Development of foreign language grammar skills of future foreign language teachers in the context of modular learning. Science and Education. Available from: https://scienceandeducation.pdpu.edu.ua/doc/2010/4_5_2010/42.pdf (cited 12 February 2025) (in Ukrainian)

[26] Bihych, O.B., Borysko, N.F., Boretska, H.E., et al., (eds.)., 2013. Methods of Teaching Foreign Languages and Cultures: Theory and Practice: a Textbook for Students of Classical, Pedagogical and Linguistic Universities. Lenvit: Kyiv: Ukraine. p. 590. Available from: https://kmaecm.edu.ua/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/bigych-o.-b.-borysko-n.-f.-boreczka-g.-e.-ta-in.-2013-metodyka-navchannya-inozemnyh-mov-i-kultur-teoriya-i-praktyka.pdf (cited 12 February 2025) (in Ukrainian)

[27] Pasov, Y.I., Kuzovlieva, N.Y., 2010. Foreign Language Lesson. Glossa-Press: Odesa, Ukraine. p. 439. (in Ukrainian)

[28] Tryhub, I.P., 2014. Grammatical competence formation of unlinguistic students of institute of higher education in the process of study of English. Scientific Herald of International Humanitarian University. Series: Philology. 10(2), 74−77. Available from: http://nbuv.gov.ua/UJRN/Nvmgu_filol_2014_10(2)__22 (cited 22 February 2025) (in Ukrainian)

[29] Milrud, R.P., 2004. Competence and Foreign Language Education. Collection of Scientific Articles of Lviv National Polytechnic University. 65–79.

[30] Chaika, O., 2021. Polyculturalism and polylingualism in educational environment: educational and upbringing perspectives for foreign language instruction. Youth and market. 10(196), 92−97. DOI: https://doi.org/10.24919/2308-4634.2021.248537 (cited 22 February 2025) (in Ukrainian)

[31] Sorokin, Y.A., Markovina, I.Y., Kriukov, O.M., 1988. Background Knowledge and Language Communication. Institute of Linguistics: Kyiv, Ukraine. p. 190. (in Ukrainian)

[32] Reida, O., Ivlieva, K., Huliieva, D., 2019. Authentic materials using in the process of English language teaching to students philologists. Current Issues of the Humanities. 23(3), 133–138. DOI: https://doi.org/10.24919/2308-4863.3/23.166819

[33] Kachur, I.I., 2020. Using authentic materials as a creative approach to learning foreign languages. Innovative Pedagogy. 2 (21), 13–15. Available from: https://elibrary.kubg.edu.ua/id/eprint/34183/ (cited 12 February 2025) (in Ukrainian)

[34] Isaievych, Y.D., 2016. Language code of culture. Collection. 9th–18th centuries. Available from: http://litopys.org.ua/istkult2/ikult211.htm (cited 12 February 2025) (in Ukrainian)

[35] Kolomyichuk, I.M., 2017. Authentic materials as an effective means of ensuring the sociocultural direction of the foreign language learning process. Bulletin of the Alfred Nobel University. Series “Pedagogy and Psychology”. Pedagogical Sciences. 1(13), 88–99. Available from: https://pedpsy.duan.edu.ua/images/PDF/2017/1/17.pdf (cited 12 February 2025) (in Ukrainian)

[36] Vietokhov, O.V., 2004. An important component of communicative orientation (Psychology of grammatical training of students in a foreign language). Foreign languages in educational institutions. 4, 76–84.

[37] Krychevska, K.S., 1996. Pragmatic materials that introduce students to the culture and place of residence of the inhabitants of the country of the language being studied. Foreign Languages at School. 1, 13–17.

[38] Voronina, H. I., 1999. Organization of work with authentic texts of the youth press in senior classes of schools with in-depth study of a foreign language. Foreign Languages at School. 2, 23–25.

[39] Harmer, J., 2001. How to Teach English: An Introduction to the Practice of English Language Teaching. Edinburgh: Gate, UK. p. 198. Available from: https://ia600407.us.archive.org/21/items/HowToTeachEnglish/How%20to%20Teach%20English%20Harmer%2C%20Jeremy.pdf (cited 12 February 2025)

[40] Milrud, R.P., Nosonovych, O.V., 1999. Criteria for the content authenticity of an educational text. Foreign languages at school. 2, 8–12.

[41] Travers, P.L., 2013. Mary Poppins. HarperCollins Publishers: New York, NY, USA. p. 176.

[42] Sun, Z., 2022. Development of Corpus Linguistic Using Lexical Teaching to Improve English Writing. Wireless Communications and Mobile Computing, 3, 1−7. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/4024149

[43] Cherniakova, T.A., 2011. The use of linguistic corpus in teaching a foreign language. Language and culture. 4, 127–133.

[44] Ahafonenko, L.I., 2009. Some issues of using corpus technologies as a factor in improving the quality of foreign language teaching. News of the Ukrainian Academy of Sciences. Institute of Linguistics. 87, 80–88.

[45] Zhukovska, V.V., 2013. Introduction to Corpus Linguistics: Textbook. Publishing House of I. Franko ZhDU: Zhytomyr, Ukraine. p. 142. Available from: https://www.academia.edu/13096058/%D0%96%D1%83%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%B2%D1%81%D1%8C%D0%BA%D0%B0_%D0%92_%D0%92_%D0%92%D1%81%D1%82%D1%83%D0%BF_%D0%B4%D0%BE_%D0%BA%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%BF%D1%83%D1%81%D0%BD%D0%BE%D1%97_%D0%BB%D1%96%D0%BD%D0%B3%D0%B2%D1%96%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%BA%D0%B8_%D0%BD%D0%B0%D0%B2%D1%87%D0%B0%D0%BB%D1%8C%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%B9_%D0%BF%D0%BE%D1%81%D1%96%D0%B1%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%BA_%D0%92_%D0%92_%D0%96%D1%83%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%B2%D1%81%D1%8C%D0%BA%D0%B0_%D0%96%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%BE%D0%BC%D0%B8%D1%80_%D0%92%D0%B8%D0%B4_%D0%B2%D0%BE_%D0%96%D0%94%D0%A3_%D1%96%D0%BC_%D0%86_%D0%A4%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%BA%D0%B0_2013_140_%D1%81?utm_source= (cited 12 February 2025) (in Ukrainian)

[46] Finegan, E., 2004. LANGUAGE: its structure and use. Harcourt Brace College Publishers: New York, NY, USA. 480. Available from: https://ces.wu.ac.th/news/03/n25966.pdf (cited 12 February 2025)

[47] Rykov, V.V., 2004. Corpus of texts as an ontology of linguistic activity. The Journal of V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, Series “Philology”. 56–72.

[48] Sinclair, J., 1991. Corpus, Concordance, Collocation. Oxford University Press: Oxford, UK. p. 184. Available from: https://ru.scribd.com/document/512884845/Corpus-Concordance-Collocation-by-John-Sinclair-Z-lib-org (cited 12 February 2025)

[49] Demska-Kulchytska, O.M., 2004. British National Corpus and National Corpus of the Ukrainian Language. Philological Studies. 4, 89–95. Available from https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/149237969.pdf (cited 12 February 2025) (in Ukrainian)

[50] Alamri, B., 2022. The Role of Corpus Linguistics in Grammar Instruction: A Review of Literature. International Journal of Linguistics. 14(6), 158−167. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5296/ijl.v14i6.20500

[51] Barghamadi, M., Müller, A., Rogers, J., et al., 2024. Exploring the relationship between English proficiency and influential factors on productive knowledge of multi-word units to create effective learning materials. Language Teaching Research Quarterly. 45, 106−122. DOI: https://doi.org/10.32038/ltrq.2024.45.06

[52] Men, H., 2018. Vocabulary Increase and Collocation Learning: A Corpus-Based Cross-Sectional Study of Chinese Learners of English. Springer Singapore Pte. Limited: Singapore, Singapore. Available from: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-981-10-5822-6?utm_source (cited 12 February 2025)

[53] Laufer, B., Waldman, T., 2011. Verb–noun collocations in second language writing: A corpus analysis of learners' English. Language Learning. 61, 647–672. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9922.2010.00621.x

[54] Jones, C., Oakey, D., 2024. Learners' Perceived Development of Spoken Grammar Awareness after Corpus-Informed Instruction: An Exploration of Learner Diaries. Special issue: Assessing the Effectiveness of Corpus‐based Approaches to English Language Teaching. 58(3), 1138−1165. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/tesq.3305

[55] Pryima, L.Y., Chupryna, K.S., 2024. Applying corpus approach at the English classes in higher educational establishments. Bulletin of the Ukrainian Medical Stomatological Academy. 19(66), 206–210. DOI: https://doi.org/10.31718/2077-1096.19.2.206 (in Ukrainian)

[56] Zakharenko, V.P., Bohdanova, S.Y., 2011. Corpus Linguistics: a Textbook for Students of Humanities Universities. KhPNU: Kherson, Ukraine. p. 230. (in Ukrainian)

[57] Baishukurova, G., Irgebayeva, A., Aitova, N., et al., 2025. A Corpus-Based Analysis: Kazakh-Russian Grammatical Transformations in Akhmet Baitursynuly's Translations. Forum for Linguistic Studies. 7(1), 753–766. DOI: https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v7i1.7993

[58] Shaw, G.B., 2012. Pygmalion.The Penguin Classics Book: London, UK. p. 140.

[59] Maugham, S., 1925. The Man with the Scar. Available from: https://lingualeo.com/ru/jungle/somerset-maugham-the-man-with-the-scar-58286 (cited 12 February 2025)

[60] Council of Europe., 2020. Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, teaching, assessment – Companion volume. Council of Europe: Strasbourg, France. Available from: https://www.coe.int/lang-cefr (cited 12 February 2025)

[61] Chernovaty, L.M., Karaban, V.I., Nabokova, I. Yu., et al., 2006. Practical English Course [teacher's textbook]. Nova Knyga: Vinnytsia, Ukrain. p. 432. Available from: http://194.44.152.155/elib/local/+sk719706.pdf (cited 12 February 2025) (in Ukrainian)

Downloads

How to Cite

Popova, O., Derik, I., Korolyova, N., Morhun, O., & Dashkova, V. (2025). Teaching Grammar to Junior Bachelor Students by Means of Authentic English Texts. Forum for Linguistic Studies, 7(9), 638–659. https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v7i9.10757

Issue

Article Type

Article