The Role of Grammar in English Language Teaching

2760 Words12 Pages
1 Why do we teach grammar? Changing reasons:Academic theories and applications change, but practice is slow to change. How much of what we used to do is still suitable in the communicative classroom? Grammar study began in Ancient Greece two and a half thousand years ago. The principle was to promote good style, grace and accuracy:a standard model of good usage. These days, the model is outdated, and the reasons have changed. 2 How did we teach grammar? Till recently, grammar study and language learning were the same thing: Phase One textbooks contained a series of Chapters, called ‘Lessons’, each with a grammatical heading. Grammar tables with notes, listing, for example, the whole of the verb have. Then, some exercises:single-sentences, fill-in-the-blanks. Then a text. The text was not graded. Teachers read the Lesson with the class, and commented on it:‘grammar-translation’:based on talking about the language, not on using it. The aim was knowledge, not fluency. Very few learners became fluent. Phase 2:From early 20th Century, - several attempts to simplify the reading texts. The teaching style did not change much. Pupils still studied lists and tables. They still filled in the blanks in single sentences. It was still ‘grammar-translation’. There was no attempt to teach language skills. Phase 3:1967, New Concept English appeared. New Concept English changed the way English was taught all over the world. - It was the first course in which the method is included in the material. - New language is presented piece by piece in easy stages and in context. - Basing the lessons on graded texts allows the learner to listen, to pay attention, and to use the language immediately. - Grammar is the control system, not the objective of the course. Many learners become fluent through this method. Phase 3a:American linguistic politics in the 1970’s and 80’s:a

More about The Role of Grammar in English Language Teaching

Open Document