When it comes to how important grammar is
in learning English as a second/foreign language, I will say it is important. In
my opinion, it has become even more important in recent years. This is because
of how society has developed and become more “international”. For the pupils
and their age group that are introduced to online gaming and the internet,
where they meet other people from all around the world. When it comes to “grown-ups”,
the rapid globalization makes it important to know the language that is used
the most when communicating with people from foreign countries in our part of
the world, namely English. For both youth and adults it is now important to
know how to communicate in English, and be able to use correct language. Both in
written and oral communication.
I believe it is easy for pupils to dislike
grammar, because of method in which teacher usually teach it. If I, as a
teacher, can find a “fun” way to do it, maybe the pupils will start to get a
more positive mindset when it comes to that part of the English subject. Of course,
it will be difficult to avoid using the traditional methods, but try to mix it
up from time to time. Use books, films and try to find activities that can help
the learning process, but still implement them with the correct theoretical knowledge.
I have not had much experience with how grammar
is taught other than my own when I was a pupil. That was mostly, as I remember it,
the traditional “boring” way. Trying not to only use that method of teaching, I
have tried to come up with an exercise that could be different.
This exercise is all about teaching the
pupils the difference between a subject, direct object and indirect object in a
sentence. This will take place after an introduction of subject, direct object
and indirect object from the teacher where it is shown in an analyzed sentence
what the difference is.
1
1.Split the class in pairs
2 2. Give them an object they can
pass to each other
3 3. Tell them to figure out, in what situation
they are the subject, and in what they are the indirect object.
In taking a more practical approach, I believe
the pupils will better remember the difference between subject, direct object
and indirect object.
Håvard Sæbø
Very good point about taking a practical approach to teaching grammar. Many argue that experience-based learning can bring a better result in learning and remembering abstract/theoretical concepts. If pupils experience being a subject or an indirect object for themselves, they may remember what the subject/direct object/indirect object are since they can relate those concepts to their own experience.
ReplyDeleteInteresting point about grammar gaining more importance due to English being a more international language. Do you think teaching grammar might have had a less important status before the Internet era or globalization?