Author(s)

Dong Jinhang ¹

Affiliation(s)

¹ GCTB-NSU Joint Institute of Technology, Guangzhou College of Technology and Business, Guangzhou, China

Corresponding Author

Dong Jinhang

ABSTRACT

In the context of post-structuralist linguistics, language rules and structures are no longer regarded as a fixed system. Instead, they are dynamically generated and continually reshaped in response to evolving contexts, cultural influences, and discursive transformations. This paper examines the insights that the functionalist perspective offers for English grammar teaching in this context. Through a functionalist lens, it highlights the functional convergence underlying the apparent diversity of grammatical rules, thereby guiding students toward developing an integrative view of language informed by functionalism. The paper also elaborates on various pedagogical techniques that can be employed in grammar teaching under this approach, including comparative analysis, contextualized practice, and discussions on cultural diversity. These methods are designed to help students grasp the communicative objectives inherent in different grammatical rules and appreciate the relationship between linguistic forms and their cultural contexts. Furthermore, the role of the teacher is reconceived in the post-structuralist framework—not as a transmitter of static rules, but as a facilitator guiding students to construct their own understanding of language. The paper argues that one of post-structuralism's most valuable contributions to grammar teaching is fostering students' awareness of the communicative motivations underlying seemingly rigid grammatical rules. In practical applications, this approach leverages cross-linguistic and diachronic comparisons to investigate linguistic diversity, promoting a holistic view of language, enhancing student engagement, and encouraging habits of comparison, reflection, and critical thinking.

KEYWORDS

Post-structuralist Language Perspective, Functionalism, Grammar Teaching, Comparative Linguistics, Critical Thinking

CITE THIS PAPER

Dong Jinhang, Application of the Functionalist Perspective in English Grammar Teaching within a Post-Structuralist Context. Lecture Notes on Language and Literature (2024) Vol. 7: 70-75. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.23977/langl.2024.070810.

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