As you know the issue of how to learn and to teach English grammar is contentious. Supporters of unconventional learning/teaching methods of English as a second/foreign language claim that conscious learning of English grammar is unnecessary and advocate intuitive learning of English grammar. I suggest that you thoroughly explore the following especially useful prominent websites dealing with practical issues of learning and teaching English grammar and include new pertinent research articles:
azargrammar.com/authorsCorner/notesQuotes.html
tesl-ej.org/ej42/a1.pdf
tesl-ej.org/ej36/m0.pdf
azargrammar.com/assets/authorsCo … iption.pdf
mikeswan.co.uk/elt-applied-l … rammar.htm
myenglishpages.com/blog/explicit … r-teaching
Let me know your thoughts on this issue.
Communication is the heart and soul of the human experience. The process communication mainly includes speaking , listening, and writing. Nobody actually learns grammar to learn his/ her own mother tongue. It is a natural phenomenon that we start speaking what everybody speaks around us. We gradually develop a better sense of understanding with the passage of time.
We don’t study grammar of our own mother tongue to use it for daily speaking, but when we need to polish our own mother tongue, we have to study its grammar and we usually do that. When we come to learning a new language like English language, we need to study its grammar, the importance of grammar cannot be neglected and before we do that we need to understand what grammar is.
Grammar is the study of words and the ways words work together. An invisible force that guides us as we put words together into sentences. Any person who communicates using a particular language is consciously or unconsciously aware of the grammar of that language.
To speak in a clearer and more effective manner we study grammar. A person who has unconscious knowledge of grammar may be sufficient for simple language use, but the ones who wish to communicate in an artful manner and well, will seek greater depth of understanding and proficiency that the study of grammar provides.
To learn more on the issues of teaching and learning English grammar and to discover important information it is expedient to read the following highly relevant publications (books).
Below are some important ENGLISH GRAMMAR TEACHING PUBLICATIONS (BOOKS):
- Teaching Grammar in Second Language Classrooms: Integrating Form-Focused Instruction in Communicative Context, 184 pages, 2010.
Recent SLA research recognizes the necessity of attention to grammar and demonstrates that form-focused instruction is especially effective when it is incorporated into a meaningful communicative context. Designed specifically for second-language teachers, this text identifies and explores the various options for integrating a focus on grammar and a focus on communication in classroom contexts and offers concrete examples of teaching activities for each option. Each chapter includes a description of the option, its theoretical and empirical background, examples of activities illustrating in a non-technical manner how it can be implemented in the classroom, questions for reflection, and a list of useful resources that teachers can consult for further information.
- Grammar Practice Activities: A Practical Guide for Teachers (Cambridge Handbooks for Language Teachers), 296 pages, 1989.
For the teacher who wishes to combine grammar teaching with a broadly communicative methodology, this is an invaluable resource. It contains a collection of imaginative and interesting grammar practice activities suitable for a wide range of levels and ages. Part one provides: * a detailed introduction to grammar teaching * guidelines for the design of activities * practical hints on effective classroom presentation. Part two contains: * almost 200 game-like activities for practising important or problematical aspects of English grammar, with detailed descriptions of procedure * sample texts and visuals which may be photocopied for immediate use.
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New Ways in Teaching Grammar.
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The Grammar Book: An ESL/EFL Teacher’s Course, Second Edition, 854 pages, 1998.
About the Author: Dr. Diane Larsen-Freeman is one of the most renowned names in the field of ESL particularly in the area of grammar. She is a professor of Applied Linguistics in the Department of Language Teacher Education at the School for International Training in Brattleboro Vermont. In addition to her co-authorship of The Grammar Book she is the editor of Discourse Analysis in Second Language Research and is the Series Director for Grammar Dimensions: Form Meaning and Use.
In this highly acclaimed revision, grammatical descriptions and teaching suggestions are organized into sections dealing with Form, Meaning, and Use. The Grammar Book, 2nd edition, helps teachers and future teachers grasp the linguistic system and details of English grammar, providing more information on how structures are used at the discourse level.
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Techniques and Resources in Teaching Grammar (Teaching Techniques in English as a Second Language), 189 pages, 1988.
This book is for teachers who are asking whether, when, and how to teach grammar. It addresses general questions of grammar in ESL theory and classroom practice. Ideas for teaching grammar creatively are suggested, including specific suggestions for most beginning-level structures.
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New Perspectives on Grammar Teaching in Second Language Classrooms, 288 pages, 2001.
New Perspectives on Grammar Teaching in Second Language Classrooms brings together various approaches to the contextualized teaching of grammar and communicative skills as integrated components of second language instruction. Its purpose is to show from both theoretical and practical perspectives that grammar teaching can be made productive and useful in ESL and EFL classrooms.
COMMUNICATIVE ENGLISH GRAMMAR PRACTICE BOOKS FOR ESL/EFL LEARNERS (in addition to my list of integrated four skills English courses in my other post):
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Focus On Grammar.
With a fresh new design and a host of updated exercises and activities, the popular Focus on Grammar series is more practical and accessible than ever. Known for its focus on English grammar through contextualized listening, speaking, reading, and writing activities, this lively integrated skills course helps students bridge the gap between comprehending grammatical structures and actually using them. Centered on thematic instruction, Focus on Grammar combines controlled and communicative practice in a consistent approach that’s a proven success among students at all levels.
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Grammar Plus: A Basic Skills Course, Student Book, Second Edition, 314 pages, 1994.
More Grammar Plus: A Communicative Course (Student Book), 332 pages, 1995.
Through engaging and creative contexts, Grammar Plus and More Grammar Plus provide extensive grammar practice for adult and young adult students. The texts integrate structure practice with relevant themes such as technology, work, and recreation. This two-level course, taking students from the beginning to high-intermediate level, provides an effective approach to grammar.
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Communicative Grammar Practice : Activities for Intermediate Students of English by Leo Jones.
Intermediate level students of English as a second language who have studied the basics of English grammar often continue to make grammatical errors in everyday speech and writing. This book is designed to help those students improve their accuracy in speech and writing, use English more creatively in communicative activities and tasks, and extend their range of expression.