MATERIALS FOR THE TEACHING OF GRAMMAR

PRELIMINARIES
- CLASS RULES

* ACTIVITY TIME!

Learning Objecvies:

At the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

* Identify the key characteristics and criteria of effective grammar teaching materials.

* Select, Adapt, and design instructional materials based on the provided criteria for developing
grammar teaching materials.

* Demonstrate openness and flexibility to using a variety of materials and approaches in grammar
teaching.

What is Grammar?

-Grammar, a crucial part of a language, has been defined by linguists in numerous ways.

According to Brown (2001), grammar is a system of rules that govern the placement and relationship
of words in a sentence.

Ur (1996) defines grammar as “the way words are put together to make correct sentences”. The
correct combination of the words, however, does not form the whole grammar. He also adds that
meaning is also important; this correct unity of the words should have a meaning.

According to David Crystal, "Grammar is the business of taking a language to pieces to see how it
works."

Grammar is the system of rules in a language that governs how sounds, words, and sentences are
formed and combined to convey meaning. It includes the study of sentence and word structure
(syntax and morphology) and covers aspects such as phonology (sound), semantics (meaning), and
morphology (word formation).

Criteria In Crafting Materials for Grammar Teaching

a. The extent to which the developed materials align with the curriculum

- The extent to which developed materials align with the curriculum—especially in the context of
materials for the teaching of grammar—refers to how closely these instructional resources reflect the
aims, content, pedagogy, and assessment methods outlined in the official or intended curriculum.

When grammar teaching materials are well-aligned with the curriculum: Students receive coherent
and consistent instruction, minimizing learning gaps and redundancies. Assessment results more
accurately reflect students’ mastery of curriculum goals, aiding in targeted intervention and support.

Achieving strong alignment can be challenging due to factors like varying teacher interpretations,
evolving standards, and resource constraints. Best practices include regular curriculum reviews,
collaborative material development, and ongoing evaluation of both materials and student outcomes
to ensure continued relevance and effectiveness. Summary Table: Alignment of Grammar Materials
with Curriculum

b. the age and level of the learners who will using the materials

The age and proficiency level of learners are critical factors that influence the design, content, and
approach of grammar teaching materials. Materials must be tailored to match learners’ cognitive
development,

Young children (under 9 years) learn best through fun activities, stories, and games because they are
still developing their thinking skills. They understand grammar better when it’s shown naturally, not
through complicated rules.

Beginners need simple grammar lessons with lots of examples and easy exercises. Intermediate
learners can handle more difficult grammar and practice using it in different ways. Advanced learners
focus on fine details and complex grammar to improve their writing and speaking skills.

C. the extent to which any adopted methodology meets the expectations of a.) learners, b.)
teachers, c.) Educational culture

Learners
A methodology meets learners’ expectations when it matches their preferred learning styles, helps
them understand and use grammar effectively, and makes learning enjoyable. For example, students
often want lessons that are interactive, practical, and help them use grammar in real-life situations. If
the teaching method is too focused on memorization or doesn’t engage them, learners may feel
dissatisfied or unmotivated.

Teachers
For teachers, a methodology meets expectations if it is practical to use, aligns with their teaching
goals, and helps students achieve clear learning outcomes. Teachers often prefer methods that allow
them to combine different approaches (like both explaining rules and letting students discover
patterns), use varied activities, and see their students actively participating and improving. Teachers
also expect resources and support that make it easier to plan and deliver effective grammar lessons.

Education Culture
Educational culture shapes not only what is taught but also how it is taught, reflecting the values,
norms, and expectations of a society or school system.

A methodology fits the educational culture when it reflects the values, standards, and practices of the
school or education system. For example, some cultures emphasize accuracy and formal instruction,
while others value communication and creativity. The method should respect these norms and be
flexible enough to adapt to local expectations, policies, and assessment styles.

D. the authenticity of the developed materials

Authentic materials provide learners with exposure to natural language as it is used in everyday life,
including current topics, cultural references, and genuine communicative purposes. This realism
increases learners’ motivation and engagement because the content feels relevant and useful to their
lives. For example, using news clips or real conversations helps students understand how grammar
and vocabulary function naturally, promoting deeper learning.
However, authentic materials can also pose challenges. They may contain complex vocabulary or
grammar beyond learners’ levels, requiring teachers to carefully select, adapt, or scaffold these
resources to make them accessible. Additionally, some authentic content like news stories or social
media posts can quickly become outdated, limiting their long-term use.

e. the extent to which any contexts and co-texts which are employed in order to present the grammar
area(s) will be of interest to learners

It is widely known that when grammar is taught through contexts that reflect real-life situations,
familiar topics, or authentic communication, students are more motivated and better able to
understand and use grammar effectively. When learners recognize themselves or their interests in the
material, they are more likely to participate actively and retain the grammar being taught.

Leverage technology and tools such as the use of language learning apps, online exercises and
interactive learning platforms.

f. the extent to which the lessons and activities provided to the learners reflect realistic and
meaningful use in non-classroom context.

When lessons and activities are designed to simulate or directly connect to real-life situations,
students are more likely to see the relevance of what they are learning, feel motivated, and retain
knowledge better.

Critical thinking and Problem Solving

Authentic Materials

Task-Based Learning

g. learners may encounter challenges in learning grammar due to similarities and differences in form,
function, and their relationship between the target language and their mother tongue.

Form
For example, if the learner’s native language does not use articles ("a," "the") but the target language
does, they might omit these words or use them incorrectly.

Function
Relates to the purpose that a grammar form serves in communication, such as expressing time,
making requests, or showing possession. Even if two languages use similar forms, they might use
them differently. For instance, a tense that expresses past actions in one language might be used
differently in the target language, leading to misunderstandings.

Instructional Materials that can used in Teaching Grammar

* Audio-visual - Audio-visual materials are resources that combine both sound and visual elements to
enhance grammar instruction. These materials make abstract grammar concepts more concrete,
engaging, and accessible for learners by providing contextualized and multisensory input.

- Videos
-Use a video lesson that explains what determiners are and how they differ from adjectives
-Show a short video on the correct use of commas with "however" or when starting sentences with
"and" or "but," then have students identify or correct errors in sample sentences.

- Use videos that explain confusing grammar pairs, such as "how many vs. how much" or "also vs. too
vs. either," providing clear examples and practice opportunities.
- Film Clips
- Film clips bring grammar to life by embedding it in stories, emotions, and cultural contexts. This not
only aids comprehension but also increases student engagement and motivation.

- Short extracts from films or TV series show how native speakers use grammar structures naturally
—such as tag questions, verb tenses, or modal verbs—in authentic conversations.

- Film clips can be used for listening (hearing grammar in context), speaking (imitating or responding
to dialogue), reading (using scripts or subtitles), and writing (summarizing or rewriting scenes with
targeted grammar).

After watching a film clip, students can discuss what they heard, identify the grammar structures
used, and practice making their own sentences or dialogues using the same forms. Clips can also serve
as prompts for role-plays or writing activities.
-

*Audio -Audio materials in grammar teaching are resources that use sound—such as recordings,
dialogues, podcasts, or spoken exercises—to help students learn and practice grammar concepts.

- Recorded Dialogues:
- Play a recorded dialogue where two speakers use the present simple to talk about their daily
routines.

- Students listen to a recorded dialogue, then transcribe what they hear, focusing on a target
grammar point (e.g., past tense verbs or prepositions). After transcription, students identify and
correct grammar errors, compare with the original, and discuss why certain forms were used.

- Podcasts
-Play a podcast episode that discusses common grammar mistakes (e.g., misuse of "their," "there,"
and "they’re").

- Podcasts often feature conversational English, which may include informal grammar or slang.
Students listen and distinguish between formal grammar rules and informal spoken variations,
discussing when each is appropriate.
-
-Songs - Through using contemporary popular songs, which are already familiar to teenagers, the
teacher can meet the challenges of the teenager needs in the classroom. Since songs are highly
memorable and motivating, in many forms they may constitute a powerful subculture with their own
rituals.

- Students listen to a song and fill in missing words that highlight the target grammar structure (e.g.,
verb tenses, modals, prepositions).

- Songs support listening, reading (with lyrics), speaking (singing or reciting), and writing (completing
or rewriting lyrics), making grammar learning more comprehensive and dynamic.

* PowerPoint - PowerPoint can significantly enhance grammar teaching by providing a visual,

- Engage students’ interest via interactive powerpoint presentation softwards such as Prezi, Genially,
Nearpod, etc.
* Games - Games are a dynamic and effective way to teach grammar, making lessons interactive,
enjoyable, and memorable. They help reinforce grammar concepts, encourage active participation,
and cater to various learning styles.

-Bingo - Students listen for or identify sentences with specific grammar points on bingo cards.

-Online Games - Use gaming platforms designed to target grammar proficiency among learners.
Flippity, Edu-games, Sentence Monkey, etc.

* Classroom Activities

Parts of Speech Charades: Students act out verbs, adjectives, or other parts of speech while
classmates guess, reinforcing understanding through movement and play.

Sentence Scramble: Sentences are cut into individual words or phrases. Students race to arrange
them into correct sentences, practicing syntax and word order.

Role-Play and Improvisation: Students create dialogues or act out scenarios using target grammar
structures, fostering communicative competence.

Effective grammar teaching goes beyond rote memorization of rules; it thrives on engaging,
interactive, and contextualized learning experiences. Utilizing diverse tools such as audio-visual
materials, songs, podcasts, recorded dialogues, PowerPoint presentations, games, and dynamic
classroom activities enriches the learning environment and caters to different learning styles. These
approaches not only make grammar concepts clearer and more accessible but also motivate students
to actively participate, practice, and internalize correct usage.

Thank you!