Teaching and Testing Grammar

Different Methods of Teaching Grammar
Different Methods of Teaching Grammar

Different Methods of Teaching GrammarEnglish grammar is notoriously difficult to learn for both
native and second-language speakers. There are so many intricacies, obscure rules, and exceptions
that it comes as no surprise that different generations of teachers have used various approaches to
teaching grammar to train literate English writers. In the past, memorization-based techniques that
relied on repetition slowly gave way to more creative methods. Today, we live in a society that
prizes literacy and is willing to adapt to more effective methods to achieve the best results in
teaching grammar.
Inklyo has a Grammar Boot Camp you might want to check out. Below, you’ll learn some of the
other methods for teaching grammar.
Diagramming Sentences
One of the older forms of teaching grammar, diagramming sentences, first appeared in the 19th
century. This method involves visually mapping the structures of and relationships between
different aspects of a sentence. Especially helpful for visual learners, this method disappeared
from modern teaching at least 30 years ago. Different forms of diagramming are used to visualize
sentences, from the Reed-Kellogg System to dependency grammar, but all organize the functions
of a sentence in a way that illustrates the grammatical relationships between words. More recently,
diagramming sentences has had a small pop-culture resurgence in prints of famous opening
sentences and websites that allow you to diagram to your heart’s content.
Learning Through Writing

This method is often used in schools in the U.S. and Canada. Students are encouraged to explore
language through creative writing and reading, picking up correct grammar usage along the way.
If there are specific problems with certain grammatical rules, these are covered in a more
structured lesson. An emphasis is now being placed upon language acquisition over language
learning, as it has been observed that learning grammar by memorization does not work well and
that students are better able to recognize and understand grammatical rules when lessons are more
interactive (i.e., they have to apply these rules in their own writing). Repeated practice is also
important and easily achieved through creative or personal writing exercises. This article, posted
by The Atlantic, suggests that to better equip future adult writers, teachers in the 21st century
should consider dropping outdated grammar teaching techniques in early education and opt for
learning through writing techniques.
Inductive Teaching
The inductive method of teaching grammar involves presenting several examples that illustrate a
specific concept and expecting students to notice how the concept works from these examples. No
explanation of the concept is given beforehand, and the expectation is that students learn to
recognize the rules of grammar in a more natural way during their own reading and writing.
Discovering grammar and visualizing how these rules work in a sentence allow for easier retention
of the concept than if the students were given an explanation that was disconnected from examples
of the concept. The main goal of the inductive teaching method is the retention of grammar
concepts, with teachers using techniques that are known to work cognitively and make an
impression on students’ contextual memory.
Deductive Teaching
The deductive method of teaching grammar is an approach that focuses on instruction before
practice. A teacher gives students an in-depth explanation of a grammatical concept before they
encounter the same grammatical concept in their own writing. After the lesson, students are
expected to practice what they have just been shown in a mechanical way, through worksheets and
exercises. This type of teaching, though common, has many people—including teachers—
rethinking such methods, as more post-secondary level students are revealing sub-par literacy
skills in adulthood. As one former teacher states, deductive teaching methods drive many students
away from writing because of the tediousness of rote learning and teacher-centered approaches.
Interactive Teaching
Another method of teaching grammar is to incorporate interactivity into lessons. Using games to
teach grammar not only engages students but also helps them to remember what they’ve learned.
This method allows teachers to tailor their lessons to the different learning styles of students. For
instance, each student can be given a large flashcard with a word on it, and the students must
physically arrange themselves into a proper sentence. Other games can include word puzzles or
fun online quizzes.
Over the years, many methods have been developed for teaching grammar and have been built
upon, abandoned, or combined, all with the same goal in mind—teaching students how to
communicate effectively and understand how to use the English language. Because of the
grammatical complexity of English, each method has its pros and cons. Some lessons are less
likely to be remembered, while others may require more in-depth explanation and practice.
Regardless of how grammar is taught, a well-rounded understanding of English grammar is the
most important factor in improving the literacy of students.

Teaching and Testing Grammar

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Different Methods of Teaching Grammar

Different Methods of Teaching Grammar

Learning Through Writing

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