HOW TO TEACH GRAMMAR

By Porntip Bodeepongse

What is grammar?
Grammar describes how we combine, organize, and change words and parts of words to make meaning. We use rules for this description. Key concepts - Grammatical structures - Parts of speech

Grammatical structures
= the arrangement of words into patterns which have meaning. The rules for grammatical structures describe: Form = the specific grammatical parts that make up the structure and the order they occur in Use = the meaning that the structure is used to express.

Grammatical structures
Term Form Use - to describe an action that is happening at the time of speaking -To talk about ability -To ask for permission Present Subject + present continuous tense of verb to be+ V-ing e.g. Look! Jane tense is crying. Can Subject + can + V.1 e.g. Tom can swim. Can I use your phone?

Why teach grammar?

Students need overt instruction to connect grammar points with larger communication contexts.

Ts teach grammar Ss need to know to accomplish communication tasks.

How to teach grammar (1)

Teach the grammar point in the target
language or Ss first language or both. Goal = to help Ss understand it clearly. Limit the time for grammar explanation to not more than 10 minutes.

How to teach grammar (2)

Present grammar points in written and oral ways. Describe the grammar point, including form, meaning and use. Give examples that are accurate and appropriate.

How to teach grammar (3)

Ask Ss to practise the grammar point in communicative drills. Have Ss do a communicative task that provides opportunities to use the grammar point.

Three steps of grammar teaching:

Presentation:

to create interests to present the new structure which

is the aim of the lesson to prepare learners for the next phase of the lesson

Presenting Grammar
Inductivelystudents are presented with examples and by identifying similarities or differences they hypothesise what they think the rule(s) might be

Deductivelystudents are given an explanation of the rule + probably a few examples, and then expected to apply the rule

Practice: Learners experiment or try to use the new structure they have just learned in a controlled practice activity.
Production: Learners use the new structure and maybe any structure they pick up somewhere else by doing a freer practice activity and a personalised one.

Grammar activities
Structure-based substitution Text-based drill Meaning-based drill with a communicative message Information gap activities