Includes bibliographical references and index.

1.Introduction -- 2. Spoken English and Standard English -- 3. The acquisition of language -- 4. Representing sound in writing -- 5. Words, vocabulary and morphology -- 6. The grammar of the sentence in Standard English -- 7. The components of sentences -- 8. Punctuation -- 9. Cohesion: grammar at the level of the text -- 10. The qualities of stories -- 11. The qualities of poetry -- 12. The qualities of drama -- 13. Looking at information books -- 14. Electronic texts.

This book has been written to cater for the needs of primary trainees on all courses of initial teacher training in England and other parts of the UK. In order to gain qualified teacher status (OTS), teachers must demonstrate that they have the knowledge, skills and values necessary to be effective classroom teachers. A secure subject knowledge in English is required for the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or its equivalent. This book will also be useful to Newly Qualified Teachers (NQTs) and other professionals working in education who have identified aspects of their English subject knowledge which require attention.