How to Teach English Grammar: Your Approach (Part 1)

Summary

Chris Westergard from the Language House addresses the common apprehensions English teachers face when teaching grammar. He outlines a three-part video series to demystify the process, starting with the right mindset and understanding of grammar's purpose in communication. The series will cover preparing for a grammar lesson, effectively presenting grammar, and culminating in a demo lesson integrating ESA/PPP structures. Westergard emphasizes the importance of focusing on real-life usage over rote memorization of rules, providing practical steps for teachers to prepare engaging and effective grammar lessons.

Takeaways

• 📚 Chris Westergard from the Language House is releasing three videos focused on teaching grammar, a common challenge for new English teachers.
• 🔑 The primary reason for grammar lessons is to enable effective communication, not just to memorize rules and structures.
• 🎯 The first step in preparing a grammar lesson is to fully understand the grammar point, including its structures, uses, and why it's used.
• 📝 Teachers should focus on teaching one or two main functions of a grammar point to ensure clarity and practical usage in the lesson.
• 🏁 Plan the end of the lesson first, focusing on how students will use the grammar in a realistic, authentic situation (activation).
• 📉 Consider the level of the students when planning the lesson to ensure the grammar point is neither too simple nor too complex.
• 🎨 Use visuals and boardwork to aid in the presentation of the grammar point, making it more engaging for students.
• 📚 Select materials that support the presentation of the grammar point effectively, enhancing understanding and retention.
• 📉 Adjust the lesson based on whether the students have seen the grammar point before, adding nuance for more advanced students.
• 🌐 The topic of the lesson should not be the grammar itself but a subject that allows students to use the grammar in context.
• 🔄 Follow the ESA (Engage, Study, Activate) or PPP (Present, Practice, Produce) structure to organize the grammar lesson effectively.

Q & A

What is the main topic of Chris Westergard's video series?

The main topic of Chris Westergard's video series is teaching grammar to English language learners, focusing on the mindset and understanding necessary for a successful grammar lesson.

How many videos does Chris Westergard plan to release on this topic?

Chris Westergard plans to release three videos covering different aspects of teaching grammar.

What is the main focus of the first video in the series?

The first video focuses on the overall approach to teaching a grammar lesson, including preparation and mindset before presenting the grammar point.

What will be covered in the second video of the series?

The second video will provide a complete rundown of how to present grammar, including elicitation techniques, materials to use, and the duration and goals of the presentation.

What can viewers expect from the third video in the series?

The third video will be a demo lesson, showing how to create and conduct a grammar lesson from start to finish, incorporating ESA or PPP structures for successful learning outcomes.

Why does Chris emphasize that grammar lessons should be about usage rather than memorization of rules?

Chris emphasizes usage because grammar is a tool for effective communication in real-life situations, and learning should focus on enabling students to apply grammar correctly in context rather than just knowing the rules.

What is the first fundamental step Chris suggests for preparing to teach a grammar lesson?

The first fundamental step is to know the grammar point inside out, being comfortable with its structures, usage, and being able to give examples in various forms.

According to Chris, why should teachers avoid trying to teach every aspect of a grammar point in a single lesson?

Teachers should avoid this because it leads to confusion and an overly long presentation. Focusing on one or two functions and exploiting them ensures clarity and practical usage in the lesson.

What is the term used for the stage in the ESA or PPP structure where students use the language in an authentic situation?

The term used for this stage is 'Activation' in ESA or 'P' for the production phase in PPP.

Why is it important to plan the activation or production stage of a lesson before the presentation of the grammar point?

Planning the activation stage first is important because it helps define the end goal of the lesson, ensuring that the grammar point taught is directly applicable to a realistic communication scenario.

What should a teacher consider when deciding on the level of difficulty for a grammar lesson?

A teacher should consider whether the grammar point is new or familiar to the students, and adjust the complexity and nuance of the lesson accordingly to ensure it is neither too easy nor too difficult.

Why does Chris advise against making the grammar point the main topic of the lesson?

Chris advises against this because grammar itself is not inherently interesting; it should serve as a tool to communicate about a specific topic or situation, making the lesson more engaging.

What is the acronym ESA stand for, and how does it relate to the PPP model?

ESA stands for Engage, Study, Activate, which is similar to the PPP model (Present, Practice, Produce), both focusing on introducing a topic, practicing it, and then applying it in a real-life context.