Jumat, 30 Desember 2011

TEACHING GRAMMAR

Grammar is important because it is the language that makes it possible for us to talk about language. Grammar names the types of words and word groups that make up sentences not only in English but in any language. As human beings, we can put sentences together even as children--we can all do grammar. But to be able to talk about how sentences are built, about the types of words and word groups that make up sentences--that is knowing about grammar. And knowing about grammar offers a window into the human mind and into our amazingly complex mental capacity.


People associate grammar with errors and correctness. But knowing about grammar also helps us understand what makes sentences and paragraphs clear and interesting and precise. Grammar can be part of literature discussions, when we and our students closely read the sentences in poetry and stories. And knowing about grammar means finding out that all languages and all dialects follow grammatical patterns.

a. Principles of Teaching Grammar:
1. To let the pupils absorb grammatical items in the initial stages.
2. Grammar should not begin on abstract lines and principles.
3. Grammar points should begin with language.
4. Try to teach grammar and usage simultaneously.
4. Having said that… I think it can be a good idea to do very relaxed mumble drills with grammar, even at the first exposure.
5. Attention should be paid to the meaning of the structure.
6. Grammar should not be taught as an intellectual exercise.
Principles for Grammar Teaching in Schools
• Acknowledge and build on what the children already know.
• Involve children in exploration and investigation.
• Be descriptive and not prescriptive.
• Encourage interest in all forms of language.
• Focus on the functions of grammar in actual texts.
• Be explicitly related to children’s reading and writing.

b. Strategies in Teaching Grammar
1. Always teach in context.
2. Make it short and sharp.
3. Don’t try to mix receptive and productive practice.
5. Later, try to add some cognitive depth by creating matching activities (of the sort that Michael Lewis demonstrates in “Practical Techniques”.
6. Having said that… I think it can be a good idea to do very relaxed mumble drills with grammar, even at the first exposure.. Don’t bother with “controlled practice”.

c. Techniques to teach grammar:
The teacher must induce, attract and persuade students to make a joyful learning of grammatical items. The following techniques would help the teacher as well as the students to learn grammar in an interesting way. They are:
1. Tasks,
2. Games,
3. Activities,
4. Story-telling,
5. Cloze exercises,
6. Dramatization and role play,
7. Pictures,
8. Dialogues,
9. Situations,
10. Demonstrations,
11. Description/ narration,
12. Drills.

References
http://nsambatcoumar.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/te2_teaching-grammar.pdf
http://pinkangle355.blogspot.com/2011/03/strategies-for-teaching-grammar.html

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