Teaching Grammar

Teaching grammar can be deadly boring and put the class to sleep faster than just about anything else. Many teachers love teaching it because it is easy to rattle off the rules and it make the teacher look so smart. Students who are adept at memorization may also like learning grammar. The catch is when they try to have a real conversation with a real native speaker outside the classroom, all the rote memorization in the world won't help.

For most adults, learning a language skill is similar in ways to learning how to drive a car. You simply turn the key where the ignition is placed for you; turn the wheel in the direction of your choice; press the gas pedal where you are shown; push the break to stop, and hope for success without bumping into something. You practice until you are comfortable on your own.

You don't have to understand what connects to what to make the spark that produces the energy to move the different parts. However, if you get into trouble, you might well know some basics about how things work. Some people want to know it all, so they get the manuals and figure it out. Can they drive better? Maybe. Maybe not.

Many sites offer exercises and explanations for students who need to or want to explore how words, phrases, clauses and sentences work in relation to each other. The student who is educated in her own language will benefit far more from grammar exercises than a student who has no point of comparison.

If you want to teach your student grammar, there are many textbooks available. Make sure that you know it yourself first though!

Our approach to teaching grammar is base on the example above of driving a car or riding a bicycle. Our activities are designed to get students involved and talking and using the targeted grammar point. Before they know it, they have learned the grammar point, used it over and over and had fun doing it!



Grammar activities in our store >>>



Permission is granted to republish this article on your website on condition that you include the byline with all hyperlinks intact.
George and Daisy Stocker have traveled the world teaching ESL to children and adults. Their website, ESL Activities offers ESL curriculum, activities, an online forum for ESL teachers and students, plus a free ESL teachers newsletter! Their second website ESL for Kids offers curriculum and storybooks for children.




FREE Bingo
Game!

Bingo is one of the most fun and best ESL learning game there is.

Try out our approach to learning and ESL with this free sample.


Your First Name:
Your Email:
What Level ESL do you teach?




We respect your email privacy and it's easy to cancel by clicking one link!
ESL Activities Curriculum Teacher Resources Affiliate Program ESL Jobs Favorites


Learning English with Laughter Copyright © 2007, All rights reserved.
Learning English with laughter offers english as a second language products and services including esl activities, curriculum, and job posting