Creativity in Language Exploring the concept of creativity in language through examples and activities. Discussing Noam Chomsky's famous sentence, the role of rules in language, and the distinction between grammaticality and meaning.
Rule-Governed Creativity Emphasizing that creativity is predicated on a system of rules. Explaining how mastering grammar rules is essential for using language creatively by breaking those same rules within constraints.
Formulaic Language Use Highlighting common formulaic expressions used as building blocks for fluent spoken discourse. Introducing an activity to create short stories incorporating these chunks to encourage meaningful and creative use.
Constraints Foster Creativity Demonstrating how formal constraints lead to complex and creative language use by transforming familiar utterances into unfamiliar ones.
Teaching Techniques for Creative Writing Introducing teaching techniques such as substitution tables, acrostics, skeleton poems, 50-word stories that facilitate both conformity to grammar norms while allowing room for natural processes of creative construction.
Balancing Conformity & Creativity Discussing Rod Ellis' perspective on second-language learners striving for a balance between creativity and conformity with facilitation from teachers.