Teaching Grammar
Fe T. Canoy
Presenter
Grammar
• Grammar is all about breaking a
language to parts, to see how it
works. (David Crystal )
• Grammar is the system of language.
• Grammar is a reflection of a language
at a particular time.
Is it important to teach grammar?
Why teach grammar?
Objectives in
Teaching Grammar
• Develop insights into the structure of the
English language
• Integrate the correct language patterns
without rote memorization.
• Learn the language as a rule-governed
system
• Develop a constructive approach to
grammar
• Be aware of the difference between L1 and
L2 grammar
Theories in Teaching Grammar
• Universal Grammar Theory
(Chomsky, 1959)
• Input Theory (Krashen, 1970)
Universal Grammar Theory
• Noam Chomsky
• It suggests that the capacity to learn
grammar has been developed into
the human brain from birth,
regardless of language.
https://www.englishclub.com/grammar/theory/universal.htm
Input Theory
• Stephen Krashen
• It suggests that the child acquires
language through comprehensible
input.
http://esl.fis.edu/teachers/support/krashen.htm
Presenting Grammar
APPROACHES
Deductive Approach
• Rule-driven learning
• It begins with the presentation of a
rule, followed by examples in
which the rule is applied.
• Presentation, practice and production
(PPP)
http://www2.vobs.at/ludescher/pdf%20files/grammar.pdf
Advantages Disadvantages
• Straight to the point • Encourage teacher-
• Respects intelligence centered learning
and maturity • Creates an impression
• Confirms students’ that language learning is
expectation of simply about learning
classroom learning rules
• Allows the teachers to
deal with language
problems when they
come up.
Example
General Rule of SVA:
• A singular subject takes a singular
verb, and a plural subject takes a
plural verb.
Ex: Sheryl is a studious student.
The students do their work.
Inductive Approach
• Rule-discovery learning
• It begins with the presentation of an
example, followed by the rule applied.
http://www2.vobs.at/ludescher/pdf%20files/grammar.pdf
Advantages Disadvantages
• Ensures a higher degree • Time consuming
of understanding • Students may
• Students are actively hypothesize the wrong
involved in the learning rule
process • Put heavy demands to
teachers
Example
Special Rule of SVA:
Ex: It is my duty to teach.
It does not work anymore.
• The introductory ‘it’ is always
singular.
Deductive Method Inductive Method
• Subject centered • Student centered
• Rule-conscious • Use-conscious
• Students show lack of • Students are active
interest
• Suitable to early stage
• Suitable to later stage
• Knowledge of grammar • Systematized knowledge
is more systematized is not got
• Conscious learning of • Unconscious learning of
rules rules
Different Methods
• Diagramming sentences
• Learning through writing
• Interactive teaching
• Learning through reading
KINDS OF
GRAMMATICAL ERROR
Lexical Error
• Choosing the wrong word for the
meaning to be expressed
Ex: Joshen was stopping at the door.
(standing)
• Choosing the wrong form of the word
Grammar Error
• Mistake in verb form or verb tense
Ex: You decides what to do.
• Mistake in sentence structure.
Discourse Error
• Mistake in the organization of
sentences to make a paragraph.
Pronunciation Error
Grammar Teaching
CONSCIOUSNESS — RAISING
Conscious-Raising
• It is an intentional effort to draw the
attention of learners to the
structured features of the target
language (Rutherford and Smith, 1985)
Conscious-raising
• Providing an example
• Provide a problem
• Allow learners to generate a rule
• Allow learners to use the rule they
constructed
Observe!!!
• Neither the students nor the instructor
is leaving the room.
• Neither the instructor nor the students
are leaving the room.
• Either his mother or his friends know
that he is getting married.
• Either his friends or his mother knows
that he is getting married.
Correct it!!!
• Either I or you is going to do that.
• Either the senators or the president are
planning to attend the conference.
• Neither Samantha nor Stephen are
willing to take the test.
• Neither my teacher or my classmates is
going to the party.
Generate the Rule!!!
• In using ‘nor’ or ‘or’, the verb agrees
with the nearer subject.
THANK YOU FOR
LISTENING
