Why Teach Syntax?The Importance of Surface and Deep Structures for full Comprehension of Sentences
Keywords:
ESL/EFL syntax teaching, Syntax instruction, Grammar and sentence structure, Tree diagrams in linguistics, Linguistic comprehension, Transformational grammar, Language pedagogy, Syntax and reading comprehensionAbstract
Syntax is not merely a structure of words in a language, but the backbone that governs and strengthens the meaning of any text. It plays a pivotal role in communication and text comprehension. This article addresses two questions: How teachers approach teaching syntax, and how students respond to syntax instruction. To explore this, a questionnaire was distributed to (20) lecturers at the Preparatory Studies Center of the University of Technology and Applied Sciences in Oman. The findings revealed widespread support for syntax teaching. Recommendations, discussion, and explanation will be deeply highlighted throughout this article.
