WHAT DO YOU WANT TO TEACH GRAMMAR OR ENGLISH? Seven bad reasons for - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO TEACH – GRAMMAR OR ENGLISH?

Seven bad reasons for teaching grammar • Because it ’ s there. • Because it ’ s tidy. • Because I can test it. • Because it makes people feel secure. • Because it formed my character. • Because you have to teach the whole system. • Because it gives me power.

How much do these mistakes matter? Give each one a mark from 1 (doesn ’ t matter at all) to 5 (the end of civilisation as we know it). 1.Pete has been here again last week. 2.I love the nature. 3.I have pains in both foots. 4.By next August I ’ ll be working here for 15 years. 5.He talk too much. 6.John didn ’ t told about the meeting. 7. ‘ How long are you here for? ’ ‘ Since March.’ 8.May I have your sign, sir? 9.Please tell me the way to the station.

TWO GOOD REASONS Comprehensibility Acceptability

TWO MORE CONSIDERATIONS Frequency Teachability/Learnability

Pete has been here again last week .

I love the nature .

I have pains in both foots.

By next August I ’ ll be working here for 15 years.

He talk too much .

John didn ’ t told about the meeting .

‘ How long are you here for? ’ ‘ Since March.’

May I have your sign, sir?

Please tell me the way to the station.

Explanations Examples Exercises

INPUT Explanations Examples OUTPUT Exercises

The present perfect is used: 1. ……………… 2. ……………… 3. ……………… 4. ……………… 5. ……………… 6. ……………… 7. ……………… 8. ……………… 9. ……………… 10. ……………… 11. ……………… ……………… ……………… 248 ………………

“ Modality is the coloured filter of our subjectivity, through which we perceive reality. ”

GRAMMAR DOESN ’ T HAVE TO BE GREY

Seven pieces of advice for teachers • Ask: what difference has this lesson made to my students ’ English? • You can ’ t do it all. Are you choosing wisely? • Don’t sell other things to buy grammar. • Create confidence by doing more with less. • Perfectionism is destructive: good enough is good enough. • If you want to see what they ’ re learning, look at what they ’ re doing. • Grammar doesn ’ t have to be grey.

Thank you for listening. On my website: ‘ Teaching grammar – does grammar teaching work? ’ ‘ Seven bad reasons for teaching grammar – and two good reasons for teaching some. ’ www.mikeswan.co.uk swanmic@gmail.com