Our Unit 871 Instructor, Jai, describes key grammar differences that help instructors bridge skill gaps for Vietnamese English learners.
Grammar rules in Vietnamese and English are very different. These differences often confuse Vietnamese English learners. Understanding the challenges can help teachers support their students better.
Tense and Aspect: A Key Difference
In English, verbs show two important features: tense and aspect. Tense refers to the time of an action—past, present, or future. Aspect shows how the action happens. It might be habitual, ongoing, or completed.
For example:
- She walks to school every day (simple present, habitual action).
- She is walking to school now (present progressive, ongoing action).
Vietnamese verbs do not change form to show tense or aspect. Instead, time and aspect are understood through context or specific time words.
For example:
- Anh ấy ngủ can mean He sleeps, He is sleeping, or He has slept, depending on the situation.
This creates challenges for Vietnamese learners. In English, learners must conjugate verbs correctly. For example, students might say He sleep now instead of He is sleeping now or forget to use the past tense, saying She walk yesterday instead of She walked yesterday.
Copula “Be”: Often Forgotten
The verb “be” plays a big role in English grammar. It connects the subject of a sentence with a description or identification.
For example:
- She is a teacher.
- He is happy.
In Vietnamese, the copula là is used differently. It appears only with nouns, not adjectives.
For example:
- Anh ấy là bác sĩ means He is a doctor.
- Anh ấy đẹp means He is handsome, but là is not used.
Vietnamese learners often omit the verb “be” in English sentences. They may say She very beautiful instead of She is very beautiful. This mistake happens because their native grammar does not require a linking verb in similar sentences.
Word Order: A Source of Confusion
English and Vietnamese follow different rules for arranging words in phrases. In English, adjectives come before the noun they describe:
- beautiful house.
In Vietnamese, adjectives usually come after the noun:
- ngôi nhà đẹp (house beautiful).
Adverbs also behave differently. In English, they typically follow the verb:
- He runs quickly.
In Vietnamese, adverbs can come before or after the verb, depending on the context and speaker preference.
For example:
- `Anh ấy rất thích (He very likes), or Anh ấy thích lắm (He likes very much).
These differences can cause errors in English sentences. A common mistake is to say “He very likes English” instead of “He likes English very much.”
Common Errors from Grammar Transfer
Vietnamese students often transfer rules from their native language into English.
This leads to errors like:
- Omitting the verb “be” (e.g., She beautiful).
- Using incorrect verb forms (e.g., He eat lunch now instead of He is eating lunch now).
- Misplacing adverbs (e.g., He very likes instead of He likes very much).
These errors are normal for second-language learners. Teachers can address them by focusing on specific grammar points in their lessons.
Practical Tips for Teachers
Teachers can help Vietnamese learners by focusing on the unique challenges they face. Here are some practical tips:
Teach Tense and Aspect with Context
- Use visuals, like timelines or pictures, to teach when and how to use different tenses.
- Practice with everyday actions. For example, students can describe their daily routines in the simple present tense. Then, they can describe ongoing actions in the present progressive tense.
Practice Using “Be” in Sentences
- Give students practice forming sentences with “be.” For example, students can describe family photos: She is my sister. She is kind.
- Role-playing activities can reinforce this skill. For instance, students can introduce themselves or describe objects in the classroom.
Build Awareness of Word Order
- Highlight the differences between Vietnamese and English word order. Use examples and comparisons to show how phrases change.
- Provide sentence-building activities. For instance, students can rearrange mixed-up words to form correct English sentences.
Use Translation Activities
- Ask students to translate sentences from Vietnamese to English. This highlights areas where they transfer Vietnamese grammar rules incorrectly.
- Focus on common problem areas, like the placement of adverbs or the use of “be.”
The Role of Patience and Practice
Learning English grammar takes time. Vietnamese learners need regular practice and supportive feedback. Teachers should celebrate small improvements and encourage students to keep trying.
Conclusion
Grammar differences between Vietnamese and English can challenge learners. These differences include tense and aspect, the use of “be,” and word order. Understanding these challenges helps teachers design better lessons and support their students effectively. By addressing these issues directly, teachers can help students build confidence and improve their English skills.