Getting to grips with grammar (APF5)

Ted Neather

How can teachers show students that grammar can be fun and interesting? Some part of the language-learning process must necessarily be concerned with gaining an insight into the patterns of language. Teaching grammar is nothing more nor less than using methods which develop insight into such patterns. And yet, ‘grammar’ is often referred to as if it is necessarily boring and to be avoided if at all possible.

Getting to grips with grammar explores how communicative and grammatical competence can be brought together in the teaching and learning process, considering key issues associated with grammar teaching:

• what is grammar?;
• practical concerns of bridging the gap between GCSE and A level;
• presentation of grammatical items via authentic texts;
• the practice phase of grammar teaching; AS and A2 assessment.

Chapters are supported by case studies of innovative practice, from both school and FE contexts.

Contents

Introduction | What is grammar? How should we teach it? | Implicit and explicit grammar – a small-scale survey | ‘Bridging the gap’ and ‘climbing the ladder’ | Presenting grammar via authentic texts: receptive skills and recognition | Productive language, meaningful grammar practice, learner autonomy and peer teaching | Grammar in the AS and A2 examinations – preparing, performing and assessing | Conclusions | Appendix 1: postgraduate students' difficulties in learning grammar | Appendix 2: grammar survey

2003 | 96pp | ISBN-13: 978-1-904243-09-0 | ISBN-10: 1-904243-09-6 | £12 | Order this title online

See also:
Patterns and procedures (CPF6)

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