IntroductionTeaching the passive voice in English can be a challenging task, ...

IntroductionTeaching the passive voice in English can be a challenging task, especially for students who are not familiar with the grammatical structure and its usage in real-world contexts. However, by using engaging and relatable content, such as the classic Chinese novel "Journey to the West," teachers can make the learning process more interesting and effective. This article outlines a method for teaching the passive voice through the story of "Journey to the West," providing examples, exercises, and discussion questions to guide students in their understanding and application of this grammatical structure.Overview of "Journey to the West""Journey to the West" is a well-known Chinese novel that tells the story of a monk and his three disciples as they travel to India to retrieve sacred Buddhist scriptures. Along their journey, they encounter various obstacles and monsters, many of which are overcome through the use of magic and strategy. The story is rich in detail and characters, providing ample opportunities to explore language concepts like the passive voice.The Passive Voice in "Journey to the West"The passive voice is a grammatical structure that is used to indicate that the subject of a sentence is the recipient of the action rather than the performer. In "Journey to the West," the passive voice is frequently used to describe events and actions that happen to the characters, such as being captured by monsters or rescued by their comrades.Examples from "Journey to the West""The monster was defeated by Sun Wukong."Teaching ApproachStep 1: Introduction and ContextBegin by briefly introducing the story of "Journey to the West" and its main characters. Explain that the story is rich in language and contains many examples of the passive voice. Discuss the importance of understanding and being able to use the passive voice in English.Step 2: Explicit InstructionExplain the structure and function of the passive voice in English. Use examples from "Journey to the West" to illustrate the point. Emphasize that the passive voice is used to focus on the recipient of the action or to indicate that the performer of the action is unknown or unimportant.Step 3: Guided PracticeProvide additional examples of the passive voice from "Journey to the West" and ask students to identify the subject, verb, and agent (if present) in each sentence. Have them practice converting active voice sentences into the passive voice and vice versa.Step 4: Collaborative ActivitiesDivide students into small groups and assign them a scene or chapter from "Journey to the West." Ask them to identify and discuss the use of the passive voice in their assigned text. They can then create a presentation or poster summarizing their findings and explaining how the passive voice is used in the context of the story.Step 5: Independent PracticeGive students a writing assignment where they are required to use the passive voice in describing a scene or event from "Journey to the West" in their own words. Encourage them to experiment with different ways of using the passive voice to convey different meanings or effects.Step 6: Feedback and ReflectionProvide feedback on students' writing assignments, focusing on their use of the passive voice. Encourage them to reflect on how effectively they were able to use the passive voice to convey their intended meanings. Discuss any common mistakes or difficulties they encountered and provide guidance on how to improve their understanding and application of the passive voice.ConclusionBy using the story of "Journey to the West" as a foundation for teaching the passive voice, teachers can engage students' interest and make the learning process more meaningful and relevant. By providing examples, exercises, and opportunities for collaboration and reflection, teachers can help students develop a deeper understanding of the passive voice and its applications in real-world contexts.