Books used: Learning Teaching & Teaching English Grammar
Learning Teaching
Chapter 7: teaching grammar
7.1
Grammar is rules about sentence information, tenses, verb patterns, etc. in a reference
book.
Learners have to do a number of things to be able to start making any new grammar item
part of their own personal stock of language.
They need to have exposure to the language, the need to notice and understand items
being used. They need to try using language themselves in practice ways in more demanding
contexts. They need to remember the things they’ve learned.
Teaching Grammar:
Exposure
Noticing
Explanation
Practice: guided (AB)
Practice: active use (CD)
7.2
The most basic teaching sequence is present-practice. First the teacher presents, then the
students practice.
Many present-practice lessons are structured like these examples:
Clarification/explanation restricted output restricted output authentic output
1. Lead-in: the teacher shows pictures connected to the lesson topic
2. Teacher clarification: the teacher gives examples of the language and explains
3. Restricted output: the students practice these items
4. Restricted output: the students do different exercises
5. Authentic output: the students use the items in communicative activities.
Many present-practice lessons make use of restricted textual material. The lesson structure
then might look like this:
Restricted exposure clarification: guided discovery restricted output restricted
output authentic output
1. Lead-in: the teacher shows pictures connected to the lesson topic
2. Restricted exposure: learners read/listen to a text and get a general understanding
3. Teacher clarification: the teacher uses the text to explain new information
4. Restricted output: the students practice these items
5. Restricted output: the students do different exercises
6. Authentic output: the students use the items in communicative activities