Learning Objectives:
1. To be able to identify the syntactic differences between while as a subordinating clause and while as a prepositional phrase used to express time.
2. To be able to use while as a subordinating clause and while as a prepositional phrase appropriately in written and spoken English.
3. To be able to identify and correct errors in the use of while as a subordinating clause and while as a prepositional phrase in written and spoken English.
4. To be able to explain the syntactic differences between while as a subordinating clause and while as a prepositional phrase used to express time to others.
Task: Receptive Level – Multiple Choice
Instructions: Read the sentence and choose whether while is being used as a subordinating clause or a prepositional phrase. Consider the definitions and examples provided, and evaluate the different options to determine which one is the most accurate or appropriate.
Sentence: I’ll call you while I’m driving home.
Definitions:
While can be used as a subordinating clause to indicate the time during which an action or state is happening or happened.
While can also be used as a prepositional phrase to indicate the time at which an action will happen.
Examples:
While I was working on my project, I forgot to eat lunch. (subordinating clause indicating time during which an action was happening)
While I’m on vacation, I’ll be visiting several different countries. (prepositional phrase indicating time at which an action will happen)
Explanations:
A) while used as a subordinating clause
B) while used as a prepositional phrase
C) while used as a conjunction
D) while used as an adverb
Task 2: Receptive Level – Matching
Instructions: Read the sentences, definitions, examples and match the correct explanation for the use of while in each sentence.
Sentences:
1. While I was studying for my exams, I stayed up late every night.
2. While it was snowing, we went skiing.
3. I’ll call you while I’m driving home.
4. While it’s raining, we can’t go outside.
Definitions:
1. While can be used as a subordinating clause to indicate the time during which an action or state is happening or happened.
2. While can also be used as a prepositional phrase to indicate the time at which an action will happen.
Examples:
1. While I was working on my project, I forgot to eat lunch. (subordinating clause indicating time during which an action was happening)
2. While I’m on vacation, I’ll be visiting several different countries. (prepositional phrase indicating time at which an action will happen)
Explanations:
A. while used as a subordinating clause indicating the time during which the action in the main clause was happening
B. while used as a prepositional phrase indicating the time at which the action in the main clause will happen
C. while used as a subordinating clause indicating the time during which the action in the main clause was happening
D. while used as a prepositional phrase indicating the time during which the action in the main clause is happening
Task 3: Semi-Productive Level – Corpus-Based Translation
Instructions: Use the online corpus to find examples of while used as a subordinating clause and as a prepositional phrase in English and translate them into your native language. Provide a brief explanation for each translation.
10 examples for each type of while should be provided.
Task 4: Productive Level – Corpus-Based Writing
Instructions: Use the online corpus to find examples of while used as a subordinating clause and as a prepositional phrase in English. Use these examples to write your own sentences using while in each form.
10 examples for each type of while should be provided.
Task 5: Productive Level – Technology-Based Dictionary Use
Instructions: Use a language learning app or website with a built-in dictionary feature (such as Merriam Webster or Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary) to practice identifying and understanding the meanings of the syntactic differences between while as a subordinating clause and while as a prepositional phrase used to express time. Use the dictionary feature to look up unfamiliar words or phrases, and practice using them in sentences to demonstrate your understanding. You can also use the dictionary to compare the definitions and usage examples of while as a subordinating clause and while as a prepositional phrase.
Answer Key:
Task 1: B) while used as a prepositional phrase
Task 2: A:2, B:3, C:1, D:4
Task 3:
While used as a subordinating clause:
- Peki yağmur yağarken ne yaptık? (While it was raining, what did we do?) – while used as a subordinating clause indicating the time during which the action in the main clause was happening
- Projeyi çalışırken, daha fazla bilgiye ihtiyacım olduğunu fark ettim. (While I was working on the project, I realized that I needed more information.) – while used as a subordinating clause indicating the time during which the action in the main clause was happening
- Ders çalışırken her gece geç saatlere kadar uyanık kaldım. (While I was studying, I stayed up late every night.) – while used as a subordinating clause indicating the time during which the action in the main clause was happening
- Kar yağarken kayak yapmaya gittik. (While it was snowing, we went skiing.) – while used as a subordinating clause indicating the time during which the action in the main clause was happening
- Akşam yemeğini pişirirken telefon çaldı. (While she was cooking dinner, the phone rang.) – while used as a subordinating clause indicating the time during which the action in the main clause was happening
- Otobüsü beklerken bir köpeğin bir kediyi takip ettiğini gördüm. (While I was waiting for the bus, I saw a dog chasing a cat.) – while used as a subordinating clause indicating the time during which the action in the main clause was happening
- Makalesini yazarken müzik dinledi. (While he was writing his essay, he listened to music.) – while used as a subordinating clause indicating the time during which the action in the main clause was happening
- Plaja giderken güzel bir gün batımı gördüler. (While they were driving to the beach, they saw a beautiful sunset.) – while used as a subordinating clause indicating the time during which the action in the main clause was happening
- Duş alırken yüksek bir ses duydum. (While I was taking a shower, I heard a loud noise.) – while used as a subordinating clause indicating the time during which the action in the main clause was happening
- Gitar pratiği yaparken komşusu kapıyı tıklattı. (While he was practicing his guitar, his neighbor knocked on the door.) – while used as a subordinating clause indicating the time during which the action in the main clause was happening
While used as a prepositional phrase:
- Şehirdeyken seni görürüm. (I’ll see you while I’m in town.) – while used as a prepositional phrase indicating the time at which the action in the main clause will happen
- Araba sürerken seni ararım. (I’ll call you while I’m driving..) – while used as a prepositional phrase indicating the time at which the action in the main clause will happen
- Yağmur yağarken dışarı çıkamayız. (While it’s raining, we can’t go outside.) – while used as a prepositional phrase indicating the time during which the action in the main clause is happening
- İşe yürürken bir gökkuşağı gördüm. (While I was walking to work, I saw a rainbow.) – while used as a prepositional phrase indicating the time during which the action in the main clause was happening
- Şehirdeyken öğle yemeği için buluşabiliriz. (We can meet for lunch while I’m in the city.) – while used as a prepositional phrase indicating the time at which the action in the main clause will happen
- Tatildeyken farklı ülkeleri ziyaret edeceğim. (While I’m on vacation, I’ll be visiting several different countries.) – while used as a prepositional phrase indicating the time at which the action in the main clause will happen
- Hava sıcakken yürüyüşe çıkalım. (While it’s warm outside, let’s go for a hike.) – while used as a prepositional phrase indicating the time during which the action in the main clause is happening
- Mağazadayken süt alayım. (While I’m at the store, I’ll pick up some milk.) – while used as a prepositional phrase indicating the time at which the action in the main clause will happen
- Ben duştayken telefonu cevaplar mısın? (While I’m in the shower, can you answer the phone?) – while used as a prepositional phrase indicating the time during which the action in the main clause is happening
- Kütüphanedeyken bu kitapları geri vereceğim. (While I’m at the library, I’ll return these books.) – while used as a prepositional phrase indicating the time at which the action in the main clause will happen
Task 4:
While used as a subordinating clause:
- While I was studying for my exams, I stayed up late every night.
- While it was snowing, we went skiing.
- While she was cooking dinner, the phone rang.
- While I was waiting for the bus, I saw a dog chasing a cat.
- While he was writing his essay, he listened to music.
- While they were driving to the beach, they saw a beautiful sunset.
- While I was taking a shower, I heard a loud noise.
- While he was practicing his guitar, his neighbor knocked on the door.
- While it was raining, we watched a movie.
- While I was running, I tripped and fell.
While used as a prepositional phrase:
- I’ll see you while I’m in town.
- I’ll call you while I’m driving home.
- While it’s raining, we can’t go outside.
- While I was walking to work, I saw a rainbow.
- We can meet for lunch while I’m in the city.
- While I’m on vacation, I’ll be visiting several different countries.
- While it’s warm outside, let’s go for a hike.
- While I’m at the store, I’ll pick up some milk.
- While I’m in the shower, can you answer the phone?
- While I’m at the library, I’ll return these books.
Task 5: This task does not have a specific answer key, as it is designed to be a productive activity for the students to practice using a dictionary to understand the meanings of while as a subordinating clause and while as a prepositional phrase. The students should be encouraged to use the dictionary feature to look up unfamiliar words or phrases, and practice using them in sentences to demonstrate their understanding. They can also compare the definitions and usage examples of while as a subordinating clause and while as a prepositional phrase to further understand the differences between these two forms of while. The teacher can assess the students’ understanding and progress through observation and feedback on their sentences and discussions during the activity.
Step-by-step Process of Using the Corpus Tools to Create Your Own Materials / Tasks:
- Step 1: Begin the lesson by introducing the topic of the syntactic differences between while as a subordinating clause and while as a prepositional phrase used to express time. This can be done through a brief lecture or presentation, using examples and explanations to clarify the concept.
- Step 2: Provide the students with the definitions and examples of while as a subordinating clause and while as a prepositional phrase. This can be done through a handout or slide presentation, or by using the definitions and examples.
- Step 3: Have the students complete the receptive level tasks, such as the multiple choice and matching exercises. These tasks will allow the students to practice identifying and understanding the differences between while as a subordinating clause and while as a prepositional phrase.
- Step 4: Teach the use of English-corpora.org to reinforce the students’ understanding of the syntactic differences between while as a subordinating clause and while as a prepositional phrase used to express time:
- Review the learning objectives and tasks with the students, making sure they understand the concepts and requirements of each task.
- Have the students work through the tasks individually or in small groups, providing support and guidance as needed.
- Encourage the students to use English-corpora.org as a resource to find examples of while used as a subordinating clause and as a prepositional phrase. To do this, they can follow these steps:
- Go to english-corpora.org and log in or create a free account.
- Find the “Corpora” tab and choose the NOW corpus.
- Click on the “Collocates” tab and enter the word “while” in the search field.
- Select the parts of speech you are interested in (e.g., noun, verb, etc.) from the dropdown menu. To search for all word classes, type in a star (*).
- Select the “span” (distance between the search word and its collocates) that you want to search for. For example, if you want to find words that typically occur immediately before or after “while,” you might choose a span of 0-1.
- Click “Search” to see a list of collocates for “while.”
- Scroll through the list and look for examples of “while” used as a subordinating clause or a prepositional phrase. To determine which type of while is being used, consider the definitions and examples provided earlier in the worksheet.
- Copy and paste the examples into a document or save them to a file for later reference.
- As the students work on the tasks, encourage them to use the examples they found on English-corpora.org to help them understand and use “while” correctly in their own writing and speaking.
- Review the students’ work and provide feedback, focusing on their understanding of the syntactic differences between while as a subordinating clause and while as a prepositional phrase.
- Encourage the students to continue practicing and reinforcing their understanding of these concepts through additional exercises and activities.
- Consider incorporating the use of English-corpora.org into other language learning tasks and activities, to give the students more opportunities to practice using this valuable resource.
- Step 5: Have the students complete the semi-productive level task of corpus-based translation. This task will allow the students to use the online corpus to find examples of while used as a subordinating clause and as a prepositional phrase in English and translate them into their native language.
- Step 6: Have the students complete the Task 3: Semi-Productive Level – Corpus-Based Translation activity individually or in pairs. This will require them to use the online corpus tool (English-corpora.org) to find examples of while used as a subordinating clause and as a prepositional phrase in English and translate them into their native language. They should provide a brief explanation for each translation.
- Step 7: Have the students complete the Task 4: Productive Level – Corpus-Based Writing activity individually or in pairs. This will require them to use the online corpus tool (English-corpora.org) to find examples of while used as a subordinating clause and as a prepositional phrase in English and use these examples to write their own sentences. They should also provide a brief explanation for each sentence they write.
- Step 8: Have the students complete the Task 5: Productive Level – Technology-Based Dictionary Use activity individually. This will require them to use a language learning app or website (such as Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary or Merriam-Webster) to look up the definitions and usage examples of while as a subordinating clause and while as a prepositional phrase used to express time. They should compare the definitions and usage examples provided by the different dictionaries and discuss any differences or similarities they observe. They should also use the dictionaries to look up any unfamiliar vocabulary or phrases that they encounter while studying the syntactic differences between while as a subordinating clause and while as a prepositional phrase. Instructions:
- Have the students open an online dictionary, such as Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary or Merriam-Webster.
- Have the students look up the definition of “while” as a conjunction.
- Have the students read the definition and examples provided to understand how “while” is used as a subordinating clause to indicate the time during which an action or state is happening or happened.
- Have the students look up the definition of “while” as a preposition.
- Have the students read the definition and examples provided to understand how “while” is used as a prepositional phrase to indicate the time at which an action will happen.
- Have the students compare the definitions and examples for both uses of “while” to understand the syntactic differences between the two.
- Have the students practice using “while” as a subordinating clause and a prepositional phrase in sentences, referring back to the definitions and examples provided in the dictionary as needed.
- Have the students use the dictionary to check their use of “while” as a subordinating clause and a prepositional phrase, and make any necessary corrections.
- Have the students explain the syntactic differences between “while” as a subordinating clause and a prepositional phrase to a partner or in a small group discussion.
- Have the students review the definitions and examples of “while” as a subordinating clause and a prepositional phrase, and practice using them in sentences until they feel confident in their understanding and use of the two forms.
- Step 9: Have the students share their translations and sentences from Tasks 3 and 4 with the class and discuss any patterns or trends they noticed in the use of while.
- Step 10: Use the worksheet and the activities completed during the lesson to reinforce the students’ understanding of the syntactic differences between while as a subordinating clause and while as a prepositional phrase used to express time.
- Step 11: As a follow-up activity, have the students work in pairs or small groups to create their own sentences using while as a subordinating clause and as a prepositional phrase. They can then present their sentences to the class and explain their use of while in each sentence.
- Step 12: As a further extension, have the students create a quiz for their classmates using the same format as Task 1 in the worksheet, with sentences using while as a subordinating clause and as a prepositional phrase. The students can then swap quizzes with another group and test each other on their understanding of the syntactic differences between while.
- Step 13: For additional practice, provide the students with a list of sentences containing while and have them identify whether it is being used as a subordinating clause or a prepositional phrase. The students can then explain their choices to the class.
- Step 14: To assess the students’ understanding of the topic, have them write a short essay discussing the syntactic differences between while as a subordinating clause and as a prepositional phrase and providing examples of each in context. The students can also include any difficulties they had with understanding and using while in this way and how they overcame them.
Critical Review:
Overall, I found the process of using the corpus tools to be very helpful for identifying and analyzing authentic examples of the two forms of while and for creating meaningful and challenging tasks for learners. The tasks I created for the worksheet were designed to engage learners at different levels of proficiency, from receptive tasks that required them to identify and understand examples of while used in different contexts to productive tasks that required them to create and use their own examples. I believe that these tasks, particularly those that used the corpus directly, provided learners with opportunities to encounter and practice using while in authentic contexts, which can be a valuable learning experience. Additionally, the use of technology-based tasks, such as the speaking task using a language learning app or website, provided learners with a different way to practice and develop their skills with the topic. Overall, I believe that the combination of corpus-based and technology-based tasks in this worksheet provided learners with a well-rounded and engaging learning experience that helped them to improve their understanding and use of while as a subordinating clause and as a prepositional phrase used to express time.
One potential challenge in using corpus-based materials and activities is that they may require learners to have some familiarity with the tools and techniques used to search and analyze the corpus, which could be a barrier for some learners. To address this, it may be helpful to include some instruction and guidance on how to use the corpus tools, or to provide learners with pre-selected examples rather than requiring them to search for their own. Additionally, some learners may find the tasks that require more productive language skills, such as translation and writing, to be more challenging, and it may be necessary to provide additional support and scaffolding for these tasks to ensure that all learners are able to participate and succeed. Finally, it may be helpful to provide learners with feedback on their work to help them identify and correct any errors in their use of while as a subordinating clause and as a prepositional phrase, and to encourage them to continue practicing and developing their skills with these structures.
