Differences: Nouns and verbs/ Adjectives----> What the Verb is going on? What noun-sense!

Nouns can be oh so confusing- I know! Always badgering (bothering) us when we least need it, right?!

They camouflage(hide) themselves in the most creative way possible- by using a suffix to hide behind ( how rude!) , because of this - a most common error I often hear;  is the use of a verb instead of a noun, or an adjective in place of a noun- ESPECIALLY when learners become more advanced in their speaking abilities. 

Worry not! Fear not!

These errors creep in as a natural part of the process.

A solution to this- is learning how we form nouns, how we use suffixes to form them and taking into account what they in fact do in a sentence-

POINT ONE:

Never underestimate the power of suffixes!

A vast majority of the parts of speech in English are formed by using suffixes!

Prefixes also play a majour part in forming antonyms (opposites. EXAMPLE: Happy/unhappy- resistible/ irresistible.)

POINT TWO:

What is a noun?

Without these- we would not be able to understand eachother at all!

It is word that names a person, place, thing, event, substance, or quality

We have abstract (e.g. Life,freedom,nature), proper and common nouns in English.

common nouns are mostly recognized by the use of an article.

e.g. ''the tree''/ '' the doctor''/ ''a cat''/''an apple''

A proper noun is usually capitalized -  names of a particular people, places, or objects

e.g. Paris, University Of Pretoria.

Collective noun- replaces ''lots of.'' 
e.g. a class of students.

What is an adjective?

A word that describes a noun or pronoun

e.g. blue, pretty, happy.

POINT THREE:

Using an adjective or verb in a sentence when a noun ought to be used- will make your English sound odd.

LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT SUFFIXES:

Ness:

Not the lochness monster----> This beauty is added to adjectives, in order  to form nouns that refer to a quality or a condition:

Adjectives turned into nouns:

happy/dark/sad/nervous/selfish/kind

''ness'' as in

• happiness
• darkness
• sadness 
• nervousness
• selfishness
• kindness

She was filled with  happiness when she heard her son had won an award.

The nervousness could be heard in her voice.

(nouns from nouns)

-ship (abstract nouns that denote different types of relationships)

relationship/friendship /partnership/companionship

His friendship with her slowly turned into a flourishing romantic relationship.

I have a gym membership card- I am a member at the gym.

He is my companion- such a companionship could not be found again.

To make nouns from verbs use:

-tion, or  -sion (both pronounced with a 'sh' sound---> AS IN SILENCE-----> ''SH SH SH''... ) 

Here are some verbs whose noun forms are made by adding -tion ( pronounced: SHun)

• permit-permission
• decide-decision
• describe-description
• admit-admission
• alter-alteration
• inform-information

She needs to permit him to go to the dance- he needs her permission.

He admitted he missed her -the admission made his friends angry.

The text will have to be altered and I'm going to have the alteration done tomorrow.

I informed her of the meeting and this information was important.

I decided to work hard. The decision was easy. 

-ance and -ence are used to make nouns from adjectives and sometimes from verbs:

• absent-absence
• silent-silence
• independent-independence 
• important-importance
• admit-admittance
• appear-appearance
• exist-existence

His existence as a musician was compromised when record sales decreased

The importance of independence for individuals should not be underestimated.

Her absence did not worry anyone.Being absent was commonplace for her.

Admittance to the show is not permitted once the concert has started.

His appearance (how he looked.)they  admitted, was awful- a mess!

-ment (nouns from verbs and adjectives)

-ment is another suffix that is used to make nouns from verbs and occasionally from adjectives:

• arrange-arrangement
• excite-excitement 
• enjoy-enjoyment
• replace-replacement
• appoint-appointment

She enjoyed the show very much- such enjoyment had not been had in a long time!

I don't know if I shall be appointed as head of department but I have an appointment to see the headmaster on Friday.

They wanted to excite her by organizing a party. Such excitement was felt by her!

You will need to replace the book and the replacement costs R100

I had arranged to be there early so that all the meeting arrangements would be in place by the time she arrived.

Silence says the most... Assimilation- what is it?

''A secondary teacher turned university academic has highlighted the benefits of silence in the classroom.

As the pace of modern life grows more and more frenetic, Dr Helen Lees has become increasingly convinced that silence creates an atmosphere of calm and helps to improve pupils’ concentration, well-being and attainment.

She draws a distinction, however, between “strong” and “weak” silence. While the former is a deliberate stillness, where pupils are encouraged to sit and reflect, the latter is an enforced quiet, where teachers impose silence. Dr Lees told SecEd: “To achieve strong silence in the classroom is about people first talking together and agreeing to enter into silence, to use it, to respect it, even encourage it.'' - www.sec-ed.co.uk

As a TEFL teacher , I have often found that silence seems to worry students and teachers alike. 

It is a most common- place situation where a question is asked by a teacher and followed with silence on the part of the student. The question is then most often rephrased by the teacher- under the assumption that the student did not understand. We often neglect to realise that the student may be assimilating-translating the question, trying to understand what was said or searching for the English words for his or her answer.

My point being, silence is needed in the E.S.L classroom- take time as students, to answer after a period of silence. As teachers, allow silence for thought. If we as teachers respond too quickly after a short bout of silence- the students learn that answers will be given for them if they are quiet for too long a time.

As students- whilst assimilating/ thinking up answers- when ''stuck'' for a word- try to talk around it- it has happened many a time, that a student has been most creative in answering- ''talking around'' the word that just can't be found in that precise moment-

Two simple examples :

’A place that is warm, is small, comfortable and has a sofa in it: the living room.’’

'' It makes you cry when you cut it...It is very tasty when you put it in a pan- Its small and round: an onion.''