Grammar teaching

A window to the spine of language

Grammar: a language system to communicating and interacting with clarity in the real world

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Aims

Recall and evaluate three grammar approaches. Design and implement effective grammar presentation activities in one's own classes.

Content

Grammar emotions

Language dimensions

journey preparation

INDUCTIVE approach

DEDUCTIVE approach

SELF- discovery approach

TIMELINEs

your turn!

next steps

objective 1

Recognize the characteristics of a good grammar presentation

Grammar emotions

Think about and discuss your and your students' feelings about grammar.

Grammar emotions

• How do you feel about teaching grammar?
• How good are you at teaching grammar?
• How do students feel about learning grammar?
• How well do students learn grammar with you?

Grammar dimensions

There are three dimensions. What are these?

Form, meaning, and use

• What dimension do you focus on when teaching grammar?
• What dimension do you think you need to emphasize?

Click here and check.

+ info

Think of some examples

Form

Use

Meaning

Journey preparation

What do you need to teach grammar?

How do you prepare a grammar presentation?

1. You need to know your grammar.2. Decide on the best approach for that specific grammar point. 4. Plan your steps. 5. Prepare the material you will need. 6. Keep it SHORT!!

objective 2

Explore creative, practical, and effective ways to presenting grammar.

Inductive approach

Start with examples. Continue with the rule.

Variety of techniques

Creative examples

Teacher guided

"Hey! Do you like to teach grammar?"

Deductive approach

"I do. I'm a grammar expert. I always prepare very detailed power point presentations with the rule in different colors and tons of examples. Students need to master the rule."

Start with the rule. Continue with examples.

"Oh! So you use the deductive approach."

Self-discovery approach

Provide examples and questions that allow students to discover form, meaning, and use by themselves.

Same question now:What are the advantages and disadvantages of the self-discovery approach? Brainstorm in small groups. Then, share.

Would you use this approach? Why or why not?

So, let's practice again!

Step 1

In small groups, prepare a self-discovery grammar presentation. Remember the 3 language dimensions.

Step 2

Explain or demonstrate your grammar presentation either to the whole group or just another small group.

Step 3

Give feedback to one another; e.g. are the examples good examples? Does the grammar stand out? Are the Qs clear or ambiguous?

Step 4

Make any necessary changes to improve your presentation.

This is the end of our course.

Is it the end of your learning about teaching grammar?

• What did you learn that you didn't know before?
• Have your views about grammar teaching changed? If so, how?
• Do grammar presentations need to be long and boring?
• What approach would be the most memorable and effective with students?
• What are your takeaways?

Thank you!

Sample CCQs

Present simple I play tennis three times a week.

• Do I play every week?
• Do I play only on Saturdays?
• Is this a routine?

Perfect modals You could have asked me first!

• Did you ask me?
• Did I want you to ask me?
• Am I upset that you didn’t?

Wishes about the present I wish we had more time!

• When do we need more time?
• Do we have more time?
• Can we have more time?

A way to ask polite questions

Read the examples and answer the questions.

1. Where is the meeting room? Do you know where the meeting room is? 2. Who are the people in the room? Could you tell me who the people in the room are? 3. May I turn on the air conditioner? Would you mind if I turn on the air conditioner?

• What's the difference in structure in each pair of sentences?
• What's the question word or phrase in the second question from each pair?
• What question in each pair sounds more polite?

Linguistic competence isn't enough.

The ability to analyze the language and identify and produce grammar rules does not mean students are able to use them for communicative purposes.

We need to emphasize how the grammar is used; i.e. in what situations and contexts.

Flexible teaching of grammar

Watch these sample lessons based on the inductive approach. Take notes of the steps the teachers follow and the role of the teacher and the students.

• Video 1

• Video 2

Linguistic competence isn't enough.

Knowing grammar rules and having the ability to analyze them will not allow students to communicate.

We need to emphasize language use, so that students are able to interact and communicate effectively in different contexts and situations.

How creative were the inductive grammar demonstrations?

Well, it's your turn! You will work individually or in pairs to prepare an inductive grammar presentation. Remember, the grammar presentation itself is short! Then, you ask CCQs to check meaning and use. And when will you focus on the structure?

• Share your grammar presentation in Index.
• Go to https://proulex.foroactivo.com/
• Scroll down to Recursos didácticos.
• Choose Metodología de la enseñanza > English > Post new topic.