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PE2379 ch03.qxd 24/1/02 16:05 Page 230<br />

grade<br />

it is presented in a helpful way. Gradation would affect the order in which<br />

words, word meanings, tenses, structures, topics, functions, skills, etc. are<br />

presented. Gradation may be based on different criteria such as the complexity<br />

<strong>of</strong> an item, its frequency in written or spoken language, or its<br />

importance for the learner.<br />

see also SELECTION<br />

grade n<br />

a way <strong>of</strong> expressing overall results in a test using a number or letter.<br />

grade point average n<br />

also GPA<br />

a measure <strong>of</strong> scholastic performance used in the US and elsewhere based<br />

on the average <strong>of</strong> numerical values assigned to letter grades (e.g. A= 4, B<br />

= 3, etc.).<br />

graded objectives n<br />

(in language teaching) objectives which describe levels <strong>of</strong> attainment at<br />

different stages within a language programme. These are intended to provide<br />

statements <strong>of</strong> practical short-term goals for learners and to provide<br />

practical levels <strong>of</strong> mastery which they could attain after relatively short<br />

periods <strong>of</strong> study. Graded objectives have been used particularly in programmes<br />

for foreign language teaching in the United Kingdom.<br />

graded reader n<br />

also simplified reader<br />

a text written for children learning their mother tongue, or for second or<br />

foreign language learners, in which the language content is based on a<br />

language grading scheme (see GRADATION). A graded reader may use a<br />

restricted vocabulary or set <strong>of</strong> grammatical structures.<br />

gradience n<br />

see FUZZY<br />

grading n<br />

another term for GRADATION<br />

grammar 1 n<br />

a description <strong>of</strong> the structure <strong>of</strong> a language and the way in which linguistic<br />

units such as words and phrases are combined to produce sentences in<br />

the language. It usually takes into account the meanings and functions<br />

these sentences have in the overall system <strong>of</strong> the language. It may or may<br />

230

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