Teaching grammar is one of the most important aspects in an ESL/EFL classroom. It is important to decide the objective of the course- “How is grammar going to be taught?”

Firstly, the class composition has to be considered, the level of the class, how much grammar has to be taught and the learning background of the students. Adults will find grammar terminology difficult while students who are currently at school will adapt more easily.

The next point that is imperative in the class is that there should be enough learning materials and resources. If there is a variety of learning resources then there will be ample opportunity for different forms of learning grammar. There are certain students who benefit from oral explanation and some need visual points for better understanding. Many function well with computers and for them grammar activities can be given that they are able to self correct. If the class has similar learning styles then a simple approach is fine, but if there is mixed learning styles the instruction has to be provided with as many different methods so that the faster paced learners do not get bored and the slower paced students do not feel overwhelmed.

When teaching grammar, the best way is to begin with a game or an opening activity that introduces the concept of grammar. Students should be questioned so that they can identify the concept of grammar. After this a reading exercise can be given with questions and responses based on the structure that is being taught. Responses should be checked with the class and the students should explain their responses so that all the students are on the right track and are clear about the concepts. An exercise should be given which focuses on the current construction of the grammar points. This can be a “fill in the gaps” activity, cloze test or a verb tense conjugation activity. Finally, the class can be asked to explain the concept again. This is one method that can be adapted in as many ways that a teacher feels comfortable with.

In teaching grammar, it must be realized, that if there is no grammar the words hang together without any real meaning or sense. Grammar is essential to the students who need to express them selves as well as to fulfill their expectation of a foreign language. Grammar can be taught by the teacher giving the rules and the language is based on these rules. Another way is that the rule is inferred through some form of guided discovery. One method is the teacher created rule and the other is learner centered.

A very important aspect of teaching grammar is to show the students how grammar is needed and used in real life events and communication. The students need to be engaged in varied guided oral practice. Students should also be encouraged to use the structure with communicative expressions. Examples can be put on the board or the overhead projector and students can add to each sentence using grammar points that have been covered in the course and what is currently being taught.

For example they can add adjectives, adverbs and subject pronouns to a sentence:

Paul has a house- He has big red house

Paul walked to the market- He walked to the market very slowly.

When using tense that are being taught many examples have to be given to the class. Explanation of what the present is and then how something happened yesterday versus what will happen tomorrow. Key words to show tenses are also very important. e.g. For present tense- Now, today. For past tenses - last night, yesterday, in 1950. For future and conditional tenses- tomorrow, next week, I wish I could. Clear clarification and instructions have to be given to the students so that they know how different tenses have to be used. Skits and dialogues in group work are some of the ways to learn tenses as well as story telling in the past and also the future.

Many students enter a class thinking that grammar will be very difficult and boring but if a teacher has a variety of activities, good examples, visuals, learning materials, resources, enthusiasm, motivated and a sense of humor then grammar can be fun and concepts can be understood easily. Continuous revision is required so that the students can build all four standards which must contain grammar activities- reading, writing, listening and speaking.

Sources:

• “Planning a grammar lesson” - Tanya Cotter, British Council, Morocco
• “Teaching English in an ESL / EFL Setting” - Kenneth Beare - English as a 2nd language
• “Major components of the study of Syntax and Grammar - Teaching Grammar in context - Jill Kerper Mora - San Diego State University

Shahin Hassan