How To Teach Grammar.doc

Teaching grammar can be a daunting challenge, with many rules and structures to consider. Grammar is not the most exciting subject in the world, but it is important. Many job applications and cover letters are passed over because the applicant did not use proper grammar. Grammar used to be taught using a language book, learning about parts of speech and doing language exercises such as diagramming sentences. Now grammar is usually taught with writing, and it is taught through mini-lessons. It may also be taught in literature circles when teachers discuss with students how an author writes or a characters speech pattern. When you teach grammar with these methods, students are more likely to remember the grammar rules and apply them to their everyday life. Step 1: StepsHi. Im yuanmingni and Im from Greater London Tutors, and I am an English major as a second language. And today Im going to give you some tips on how to teach. GrammarWhen learning a new language, grammar is very important. Grammar is really the foundation of the language. It gives you the rules and regulations. Without good grammar, you could still make yourself understood - obviously you have the vocabulary - but as soon as you start saying more complicated things that involve different times, tenses, thats when grammar becomes very useful. Without grammar, you dont know how many people youre talking about, who youre talking about, and thats why its important. Now, I find that when Im teaching grammar its always very good to elicit the grammar out of the students. Things Youll Need Literature books Chart paper Markers Paperinstructionso 1Assess your students before you teach any grammar. If they already know what a noun and verb is, then you dont need to waste class time teaching them and doing exercises where everyone is getting 100 percent. The important thing about nouns, for example, are rules such as each sentence needs a subject, capitalizing proper nouns making sure nouns and verbs agree. What are your objectives in grammar for your grade level, and where are your students in regards to these objectives?o 2 Teach grammar rules systematically. Exposure alone wont teach all the grammar lessons children need to know. Perhaps youve heard of the whole language versus phonics debate. Most professionals agree that exemplary reading and writing instruction requires a balance of these two technique. However, dont try to dole out too much information at one time. Instead, focus on one particular skill that you want your students to learn, and provide a mini-lesson teaching this skill. Your mini-lesson should introduce the grammar rule in question and give examples of its use. If your students cant remember to always capitalize the word I (such as a first grade class), then before writing workshop one day, gather the students around your chart paper and do a lesson on capitalizing the word I. Students can practice this skill by writing a personal narrative where they use the word, I, and immediately, they incorporate the lesson into their everyday writing. Once your students master the selected skill, move on to other topics.o Sponsored Links Online TESOL MastersEarn a Masters in Teaching English Online from USC. Learn More N/TESOLo 3.for example, if Im teaching the conditional tense, I might show my students a clip from Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, and I might show a clip where someone has lost out on some money, or theyve won some money. And then Ill say to my students Well pretend that you are that person, and so, from my students I elicit If I were him, I would spend the money on a new car. They dont always get it right, but Ive elicited the conditional tense from them; thats come from them, without me having to teach them. with grammar, before you start teaching the exact rules, its also quite good to put it into context. So, for example, if youre teaching simple past, its always good to start talking to students about what they did at the weekend, or what they did last summer. That way, it becomes much more relevant to them. And then, once theyve got the basic idea of when to use the tense and how to use it, thats when you can start bringing in the finer details, such as changes in the structure, whether you add an s at the end, whether it stays the same for different subjects. So, for example, in English the classic one is I go, you go, he goes, so the s at the end. So, once youve put the grammar into context, and youve got the students to think of the different rules, I find its also a good idea to think of any other tenses that are similar. 3Teach grammar points while you are also discussing books you are reading to the class or that students are reading themselves. Real authors can be amazing tools to use to teach about contractions, noun/verb agreement and all other grammar points you may need to teach. There are even picture books that focus on certain parts of speech or punctuation. Ask your local or school librarian to help you find these books if you want to share them with your class. Show students how real-live authors use grammar in their writing, so students will also use correct grammar and punctuation in their writing. Point out if a character has a weird speech pattern and discuss it. Discuss why that character might not be using proper grammar. These discussions will be more meaningful than doing language exercises.4.Provide hands-on experience to help children master grammar rules. Provide your students with ample opportunities to write. Then, provide grammar-based feedback. Take your students writing level into account when providing feedback. For example, in a second-grade classroom, you will see many grammar and usage errors. Dont mark up every mistake in red pen; its too discouraging for students. Instead, focus on the grammar rules you have specifically taught.o 5.Practice punctuation, proper grammar, and capitalization with spelling sentences. Teachers often assign students to write spelling sentences, using a spelling word correctly in each sentence. What have your mini-lessons been focusing on? Ask students to practice these skills with spelling sentences. These sentences are also a good assessment when you teach grammar. They will show you if students are applying the grammar rules they are learning, or if students need more instruction and practice. 6.There are some great grammar quizzes on the BBC language website, for example, but there are lots of others. Get them to do some written work, speaking work, listening work, and I find that repetitio