Tryna learn English

Abstract

This chapter explores the potential of parallel corpora in the language-learning classroom within the context of Data-Driven Learning (DDL), a student-centered approach to language learning that involves the use of electronic corpora or corpus-based materials. We detail two use cases of the English-Spanish Parallel Corpus, PaEnS,

for Spanish-speaking learners of English with the aim of showcasing the potential of parallel corpora in language pedagogy. Both use cases center on the verb try. The first explores how students can study the lexico-grammatical variation between try and and try to to better understand its use and limitations, while the second presents a phonological use case, the reduction of trying to to tryna . For both cases, learning objectives and previous knowledge are stated, followed by a series of structured exercises involving corpus exploration and questions aimed at inducing discovery learning.